Most of us have seen the photos and videos filling up our news feeds, but for countless people across the Caribbean, the devastation from Hurricane Irma is not just something they’ve seen from afar. It hit home and it hit home hard. People watched as their houses, schools, and hospitals were reduced to rubble and their homeland transformed into a landscape of uprooted trees and debris. Too many families lost nearly everything and have been forced to leave their lives behind, not knowing when they will be able to return.
Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to get to know some of these people and communities and we’ve seen their resilience. They will rebuild, but it’s not going to be quick and it’s not going to be easy.
As a tourist, business, or practitioner, we ask you to pause for a moment and think about what these islands have given you – the experiences, opportunities, and memories. Now is our turn to come together and give back. Please join us in supporting these islands as they fight to get back on their feet.
The following are a few funds that you can donate to as a way to support relief efforts in the Caribbean. Even if you are not able to make a financial donation at this time, you can still take action by sharing this information with others.
- Barbuda Relief and Rebuilding Fund: two accounts have been established by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to collect donations, view details here.
- CTO Relief Fund: established by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), make a donation online here.
- Destination Disaster Recovery Fund: established by Tourism Cares in conjunction with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), make a donation online here.
On behalf of our friends and partners across the Caribbean – we can’t thank you enough.
