RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO – SEPTEMBER 27, 2017: Heydee Perez, age 29, and her son, Yenel Calera, age 4 have not received any aid one week after Hurricane Maria. The roof of their home is gone and they have very little to eat. (Photo by Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

In the wake of recent natural disasters, many have been left in limbo. The 3.4 million Americans who live in Puerto Rico had their lives uprooted and left with homes destroyed, flooded streets, widespread power outages and little to no food and water. Mexico is still recovering from a devastating 7.1 earthquake with a current death toll of 337, with thousands still injured.

The lack of support, assistance and utter empathy from our government is distressing (and also not the least bit surprising). The humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico is only escalating – and they need your help. Not only are they fellow Americans, they are human beings who deserve access to basic necessities such as food, water and medicine. This will not be possible if we don’t step in. We ask you for your heart and compassion during these trying times for many of our friends and family.

We’ve compiled a list of reliable charities (checked by Charity Navigator, a watchdog organization that vets charitable organizations) that will allow you to donate directly to the hands of recent disaster victims. This list will be updated daily to reflect the most accurate ways to help.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP PUERTO RICO….

• ConPRmetidos: An independent, non profit that has been doing work with fostering the social and economic development of Puerto Rican communities. Launched a real-time recovery fund to in which 100% of donations to this fund will go exclusively to long-term relief for the victims of catastrophic Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.
• Taller Salud: A Radical feminist organization in Loiza Aldea (a historically Afro-Puerto Rican community) that has been helping entire families and is of critical importance to women’s and family health.
• Hispanic Federation: A coalition of New York City civic leaders including Mayor Bill DeBlasio, U.S. Congress Members Nydia Velázquez and Adriano Espaillat, and New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito have joined the Hispanic Federation and its partnering community based organizations to launch “Unidos” (United), a hurricane relief fund to help those impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
• Unidos Por Puerto Rico: United for Puerto Rico is an initiative brought forth by the First lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane María. TO DONATE VIA TEXT: Send a text to number 41444. Type UNIDOS (space) YOUR AMOUNT (space) and YOUR NAME. (For example: Unidos 100 John Doe) Then press “send” and click on the link to complete your donation.
• All Hands Volunteers: This volunteer-powered relief group works with local communities in the aftermath of disasters to clean up and rebuilt.
• Project Hope: This organization identifies gaps in health services, recruits teams of experts and delivers a targeted response.
• Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund: This fund is governed by organizations like Puerto Rico-based Taller Salud and other local, grassroots organizations and will support organizations working with these hardest hit communities in Puerto Rico.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP MEXICO….

• Ambulante: Launched a campaign on Omaze to raise money internationally, in order to help the thousands of people affected by the devastating earthquake. The funds will be used in Mexico City, Estado de México, Morelos and Puebla. 
• Project Paz: Started by a group of Mexican friends in New York to help children affected by drug-related violence in Mexico. Now they are turning their attention to the victims of the earthquakes in Mexico.
• Global Giving Mexico Relief Fund: Collecting donations to help earthquake survivors with supplies such as food, water, and medicine. They will also provide long-term assistance to help residents rebuild.
• International Community Foundation: Established an earthquake disaster relief fund to help local organizations meet short-term basic needs, and assist in long-term recovery efforts.
• Brigada Topos: Professional, non-profit rescue group that was formed after the 1985 earthquake. Its members are currently mobilizing to find survivors. They are accepting donations via PayPal using the email address donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org
• Direct Relief: This humanitarian aid organization has staff in Mexico City and is helping facilitate the delivery of medical supplies.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP….

• The Miami Foundation is accepting donations for Caribbean islands impacted by Maria and Irma, including Antigua and Barbuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
• Crowdfunding site GlobalGiving, which connects donors to nonprofits and companies around the world, will focus on immediate needs of victims and on longer-term recovery efforts “run by local, vetted organizations,” per the website.
• Around the country: the Salvation Army is accepting hurricane relief donations.
• Students at the University of Florida have started a Gofundme for donations that will go directly to disaster victims in Puerto Rico.