Hurricane Dorian Relief

Techno Group > Hurricane Dorian Relief

How You Can Help

Hurricane Dorian has severely impacted two islands of The Bahamas—Grand Bahama and Abaco. As part of relief efforts to aid our friends and partners in The Bahamas, Techno Group is discounting and donating Techno Tanks Flexitanks, marine fuel bladders and ISO Flex tanks to organizations, government agencies and private groups that are quickly moving to assist the affected islands. Our products are extremely useful for disaster relief as they can be used to store, transport and distribute clean and potable water as well as fuel to power generators and critical equipment.

This page has been established as a resource center to offer valuable information to those willing and able to help the many in need.

The Red Cross has 200 volunteers in the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama. Shelter, food, water, medicine and communications are the most urgent needs, said Stephen McAndrew, the deputy director for the AIF of Red Cross.

Global Giving has established the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund to provide emergency supplies and long-term assistance to help in rebuilding.

World Central Kitchen, set up by the chef José Andrés, provides food to people after natural disasters. They have begun to identify places where they can set up kitchens on the affected islands.

HeadKnowles is a Bahamian organization that organized relief operations during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Joaquin in 2015.

Yacht Aid Global has set up “Operation Topaz” to bring emergency supplies like food, tarps, hygiene kits and medicine to Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. The organization works with yachts in the region to coordinate support.

Team Rubicon, an organization of military veterans that provides disaster relief, is in the Bahamas.

Charity Navigator offers a list of reputable charities that working in the Bahamas.

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said people wishing to help could donate to the Salvation Army, which works closely with the government’s National Emergency Management Agency.

Waterkeeper Alliance, a charity that works with local partners to preserve water ecosystems and fight for clean water, is taking donations on behalf of its affiliate in Grand Bahama, Save the Bays. Type in “Bahamas” on its donation site.

The Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation was set up by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which acts as the municipal authority for Freeport, the main city on the island. The site offers suggestions on how to help, including several addresses where donors can drop off supplies in the United States.

Tropic Ocean Airways whose founders have a military background has partnered with Blue Tide Marine as well as The Bahamian Government to offer assistance and aid following the storm. Their teams are conducting reconnaissance missions to assess the damage, create a communication network, and help to reopen existing airports as well as determine safe landing locations. They will deliver support, along with food and water.

Do Some Research

While it’s normal to want to help in any way possible in the aftermath of such a tragedy, experts advise the kind-hearted to be careful: Scams abound after natural disasters. Before giving to an organization, crowd-funding effort or social media post claiming to be from a victim of the hurricane, research whoever is behind it.

The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance says it’s best to stick to donating to experienced disaster relief organizations, particularly immediately after a disaster occurs.

“See if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas,” the BBB advises. “Unless the charity already has skilled operations in the affected areas, it may be difficult to provide assistance quickly and effectively. See if the charity’s website or appeal clearly describes what the charity can do to address immediate relief needs as well as longer-term recovery needs.”

It’s best to research established organizations on a site like Charity Navigator or Guidestar, and donate through its website directly, rather than through an email or other medium, which could be a scam. Make sure you understand exactly how your donation will be used. “Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider ‘avoiding the middleman’ and give directly to charities that have a presence in the region,” notes the BBB.

In the case of crowd-funding, it’s best to give to a person you actually know, rather than a random individual on the internet, unless you find them on a verified page, like GoFundMe’s. The Federal Trade Commission offers more tips here.

If you suspect someone is running a scam relief effort, you can report it to your state’s Attorney General’s office.

"Many of us are eager to help. Let's put the right resources in the right hands and we can increase the magnitude of our efforts and truly help so many people that are in dire circumstances and facing a long path towards recovery."