Human Interest How to Help Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria Powerful Hurricane Maria left all of Puerto Rico without electricity By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 20, 2017 07:53 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Hurricane Maria made landfall on the 100-mile-long island of Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, causing such tremendous damage with its 155-mph winds that it knocked out power for all 3.5 million residents. The deadly storm where it toppled trees, tore roofs from buildings and damaged reservoirs and rivers that—along with heavy rain—have caused severe flooding and left residents without water. The storm came just two weeks after ferocious Hurricane Irma destroyed much of the U.S. Virgin Islands and killed three people in Puerto Rico. For ways to help victims of the storm, here are some verified organizations assisting in the efforts. RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Unidos Por Puerto Rico Puerto Rico First Lady Beatriz Rosselló helped to establish Unidos Por Puerto Rico to help victims of Maria on the island, and donations can be sent by way of their website. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Dominica Hurricane Relief Fund Much of Dominica is in need of aid after Maria destroyed much of the small island. Officials say 70 to 80 percent of the island’s structures sustained storm damage, whether it be ripped-off roofs or complete destruction. Donations can be sent to the JustGiving page of the organization here. RICARDO ARDUENGO/AFP/Getty Jóvenes x Puerto Rico A group of young professionals in San Juan have banded together to provide relief to as many friends, neighbors and strangers in need as they can. A GoFundMe account has been set up for their initiative here. ConPRmetidos The nonprofit is based in Puerto Rico, and is accepting donations that will be first be used for the immediate needs of food, shelter and water, and later transitioned to long-term recovery efforts. You can donate to the organization here. UNICEF The United Nations fund is currently leading efforts to help young victims of both Irma and Maria, and the earthquake in Mexico. “We put children first in emergencies, committed to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable kids in the world,” the organization says. You can donate to them through their website. GoFundMe The fundraising website has collected a running list of dozens of pages that are collecting funds for hurricane relief in Dominica and Puerto Rico. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Fund Started by a collection of Los Angeles-based groups connected to the Puerto Rican community, the Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Fund will collect money until September 29, 2017, when they will pass the donations to nonprofits on the island. AP/Shutterstock Catholic Charities USA Catholic Charities USA is accepting donations for relief via phone (text CCUSADISASTER to 71777) or you can donate on their website. Rise Against Hunger Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable, has been working to respond quickly and effectively to natural disasters in the U.S. and around the globe. You can donate on their website.