STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Global animal charities Humane Society International and H/3 Foundation Inc. have launched an animal rescue and relief initiative in the British Virgin Islands, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma. The initial members of an emergency veterinary team have already arrived on the island of Tortola. Additional HSI veterinarians and technicians, as well as H/3 Foundation volunteers, are scheduled to arrive over the next several days, bringing crucial supplies including food, carriers, hay for farm animals and equipment to support the rescue efforts.

The organisations will also evacuate lost and displaced dogs and cats, and work to reunite families separated from their pets. HSI and H/3 Foundation are working to secure airlift and logistics to bring lost and stray animals from the BVI to shelters in the United States, while setting up local BVI veterinary clinics to provide emergency care and treatment for animal victims. Because many people in BVI, like caring individuals everywhere, find it extremely difficult to evacuate without their beloved pets, HSI and H/3 Foundation will work to immediately facilitate the travel certifications required for such animals.

Spencer B. Haber, H/3 Foundation’s founder and chairman, commented, “The BVI has always been a special community of generous and resourceful people, with a deep connection to the magical place they call home – and with the animals who share that home. Since I first visited many decades ago, the BVI and its people have favoured us with their friendship, hospitality and grace. So it is now our honour to be able to give something back – both in addressing an urgent, immediate need, but also as the first step in working together as a community to rebuild an even better BVI in the coming years. Having come to know the BVI spirit over the last 30+ years, I am confident that this community will emerge from this tragic period even stronger than it was before.”

“The devastation seen in these islands is heart-breaking,” said Adam Parascandola, director of animal protection and crisis response at HSI. ”With almost all buildings badly damaged or gone, we know Hurricane Irma has affected many animals, including pets and farm animals, as well as the human population of the BVI. Following disasters, we typically find lost and bewildered animals, suffering from injuries, hunger, and dehydration/shock, and in need of immediate care. Our emergency responders and veterinary specialists have already started to evaluate the animal-related needs and challenges on the ground and will help to evacuate pets as needed.”

About HSI:

Humane Society International and its partner organisations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organisations. For more than 25 years, HSI has been working for the protection of all animals through the use of science, advocacy, education and hands on programs.  Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide – on the Web at hsi.org. HSI has considerable experience in global disaster response. For example, HSI animal rescue and veterinary teams responded to the 2015 earthquake in Nepal; the 2015 floods in Chennai, India; the 2016 earthquake in Ecuador; Hurricane Matthew in Haiti in 2016, as well as the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.  Humane Society International is approved by the Better Business Bureau for all 20 standards for charity accountability. Our American affiliate, The Humane Society of the United States, was voted by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia experts as the #1 high-impact animal protection group and named by Worth Magazine as one of the 10 most fiscally responsible charities in the USA.

To support Humane Society International, please make a monthly donation, or give in another way. And see our 25 ways you can help animals. Your donation enables our Animal Rescue Team to respond at a moment’s notice, and to provide urgent and necessary care to animals in this and other disasters. Thank you for your generous support to Humane Society International.

About H/3 Foundation:

Founded by Spencer B. Haber in 2014, the H/3 Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation dedicated to creating game-changing progress on animal welfare and associated issues globally. To that end, H/3’s primary focus is on creating and funding media projects, including the production and co-production of feature-length and short documentary films that directly impact the way people relate to animals and the environment. H/3’s other important initiatives include funding and developing humane education curricula, a myriad of direct action projects and support for animal rescue and first-responder organizations.

Executives at the global private sector investment agency, Invest Caribbean Now, (ICN), have launched a GoFundMe appeal titled the Caribbean Hurricane Relief Fund to benefit a US organization that has already pitched in to help suffering disaster victims in the region.

“Every single dime raised will go to help fund the immediate needs of those affected by the category 5 storm and will be disbursed to Samaritan’s Purse, a North Carolina-based global non-profit organization, which has already responded to the needs of St. Martiners by taking two plane loads of emergency goods to benefit over 4,000,” ICN said in a statement.

St. Martin after Hurricane Irma. (Samaritan Purse image)

The company is urging all businesses doing business in the Caribbean to pitch in to help those in Saint Martin, St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Haiti, Cuba and the U.S. Virgin Islands who are in need of the basic amenities to survive, including water, food, cleaning supplies and clothing. Many are still in shelters and have nothing to return to including no jobs. The situation is dire.

“It is unfortunate that many of the same companies who benefit from government contracts and who Caribbean governments are quick to do business with are silent at this time. Where are the PR and AD agencies that major contracts? Where are the airlines and the investors who benefit from major tax relief and the citizenship by investment deals? Where are the law firms and lobbyists who these governments pay big bucks to? And where are the Caribbean and Caribbean roots celebrities?” asked ICN. “We need them all to step up to the plate and pitch in now more than ever – not just show up in the good times.”

“Hurricane Irma leveled islands in the Caribbean and devastated the Florida coast,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “We are taking critically needed supplies to storm survivors and coming alongside affected families. We want to meet their physical needs while showing them the love of Christ. Please pray for all those affected by this horrific storm.”

The organization has already taken two plane loads of supply to St. Maarten and will take 30 tons of high-energy biscuits to help residents faced with dwindling food supplies into St. Martin. In the days ahead, Samaritan’s Purse will also place equipment on the ground in St. Martin to convert seawater into clean drinking water, which has become another urgent need. They are also looking to distribute food on the island of Antigua, which has also been impacted by Irma on its deadly path through the Caribbean. Currently, the entire population of the devastated island of Barbuda has been evacuated to Antigua.

Support the initiative at gofundme.com/caribbeanhurricanerelieffund. The situation is urgent.

ABOUT ICN

Invest Caribbean Now is the global private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. The company works with small to large enterprises to secure low interest debt capital of US$5,000 to $500 million through its many funding partners.   For more information seeinvestcaribbeannow.com.

###

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now