Hurricane Relief Fund

Supporting Caribbean Communities After Natural Disasters

The ECHORN Hurricane Relief Fund

Climate change causes more severe storms and hurricanes that threaten island communities. The Caribbean is already under serious economic strain from the ongoing pandemic. Decreases in tourism, dependency on food imports, and stagnant economic growth have complicated plans for disaster preparedness and recovery.

The ECHORN Hurricane Relief Fund helps Caribbean nonprofits that support community health and well-being after natural disasters. ECHORN is committed to these communities over the long term to help rebuild and restore the necessary health and social services infrastructure for the well-being of all who live there.

The fund was created in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), which devastated the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Barbuda, Dominica, and many others.

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Grant recipients have helped non-profit organizations make positive impacts in their communities:

REGROWING GARDENS

Caño Martín Peña ENLACE Project of San Juan, Puerto Rico used ECHORN Hurricane Relief Funds to rehabilitate community gardens damaged by Hurricane Maria. These gardens promote community-building activities and provide fresh fruits and vegetables to nearby communities. The gardens also prevent these areas from being used in ways that could threaten residents’ safety and public health.

FEEDING THE COMMUNITY

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands used ECHORN Hurricane Relief Funds to purchase a commercial large volume cooler. This refrigerator holds more food and increases the kitchen efficiency, which then expanded the church’s feeding efforts in the community.

PLANTING HOPE

Hand2Earth of St. Vincent & the Grenadines used the funds to support ongoing vetiver systems projects in Dominica. Planting the vetiver grass restores and stabilizes eroded landscapes. When harvested, the grass also provides a renewable resource for a craft industry that supports at-risk populations.

PLANTING HOPE

Hand2Earth of St. Vincent & the Grenadines used the funds to support ongoing vetiver systems projects in Dominica. Planting the vetiver grass restores and stabilizes eroded landscapes. When harvested, the grass also provides a renewable resource for a craft industry that supports at-risk populations.

“It allows us to accept more donations so that we can give more to the people who come to our tables looking for whatever they need. People were extremely grateful to be able to get that cooler so that we could store more and give out more. You have less waste now so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

— Digna Doway, case manager and supervisor at Catholic Charities