Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund

Tomorrow will mark one year since a massive 8.2-magnitude earthquake shook Oaxaca and Chiapas, which was followed just twelve days later by the 7.1-magnitude quake that struck south of Puebla and was felt throughout central Mexico.

The two earthquakes resulted in catastrophic damage over a wide area—tens of thousands of homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed, and more than 6,000 people were injured and 468 lost their lives.

Our community-led nonprofit partners have remained hard at work over the past year, striving toward a complete recovery with support from GlobalGivers like you. To date, 18,015 of you have raised $4.3 million to fund 14 vetted nonprofits that provided emergency relief in the days and weeks following the earthquakes and have now transitioned into long-term recovery work.

As we approach the anniversary of these two devastating earthquakes, we're launching a matching campaign that will match 100% of new donations to our vetted nonprofit partners continuing to help the people of Mexico recover and rebuild.

Here’s a look at what your donation has helped accomplish so far:  

• Cooperacion Comunitaria A.C. has worked with the community of Ciudad Ixtepec in Oaxaca to rebuild homes and the local economy with an eye toward resiliency and sustainability. They’ve rebuilt kitchens and the comixcal ovens used to make totopos, a local staple. They also partnered with community members to develop a new oven design that’s reinforced to withstand future earthquakes and requires less wood to construct and operate, helping reduce the growing problem of deforestation in the area.
• Sociedad Mexicana Pro Derechos de la Mujer, A.C.’s “Women Rebuilding their Communities” project is strengthening the leadership of women in the recovery process and ensuring that entire communities benefit. They’re funding local women's groups and partnering them with technical experts who will help with assessment of damages, legal assistance, and eco-friendly construction to improve the impact of local recovery projects.
• In Tetela del Volcan, Morelos, 700 homes were damaged and 300 were deemed total losses due to damage from the second earthquake. Amextra is undertaking a holistic recovery effort, not only rebuilding permanent homes, but also providing post-traumatic stress workshops, training for local businesses, and scholarships for students at risk of abandoning their studies due to the new financial burdens caused by the earthquake.
• Fundacion El Buen Socio Te Apoya, A.C. has organized a temporary school and community kitchen to serve the families and children of Xochimilco, one of 16 boroughs in Mexico City, where more than 1,000 homes were rendered uninhabitable due to earthquake damage.
• In Chiapas and Oaxaca, Proyecto Impacto Consultores, AC is helping residents recover and rebuild their homes, schools, and community centers with earthquake-resistant materials and processes.
• NPH Mexico is rebuilding Casa San Salvador, their school that serves as a home to 430 children in Miacatlán, Morelos. With support from GlobalGivers, they’ll be able to repair damaged floors and walls, install new water and electrical systems, and replace doors, windows, and bathroom fixtures.
• International Community Foundation is working with local partners in Chiapas, Estado de Mexico, Morelos, and Oaxaca to support children dealing with trauma, develop community emergency response plans, improve community resiliency, and help local coffee growers recover.
• TECHO and Habitat for Humanity International are conducting community surveys to assess needs and prioritize recovery work, mobilizing volunteers to repair and build homes and roofs, and organizing community meetings to involve stakeholders in recovery plans throughout earthquake-affected areas.
• IsraAID is supporting school communities in Morelos by providing holistic, participatory educational tools aiming to mitigate risks and reduce vulnerability towards hazards, fostering safe and healthy learning environments, so far reaching more than 15,000 students, teachers, and administrators.

Thank you again for your generous support of our Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund, and for making the smart decision to donate cash to fund an effective, community-led approach to disaster recovery. We'll be back in your inbox in the coming months with more stories of progress toward a full recovery for people throughout the Caribbean.

Warmly,
Will Frechette + the GlobalGiving Team