Charities and state agencies are rushing to support people displaced by the partial collapse of a large condo building in Surfside, north of Miami Beach
Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Thursday, November 7
State of Florida lists ways to help victims of Miami building collapse
The catastrophe that washed away part of a large condo building in Surfside, Florida, has killed at least five people, and 159 more people are missing.
The massive response to the tragedy includes a push to help victims who have been displaced from their homes, and an aid organization Florida and state officials listed ways the public can help.
“Reliable local organizations have launched two main funds to receive monetary donations: Support Surfside and the Surfside Building Collapse Victim Fund , ”the Florida Division of Emergency Management said Friday, citing Volunteer Florida guidance.
In addition to those resources, the WLRN station in Miami has compiled a list of ways to help , including local charities and blood drives, reported NPR .
– South Florida Red Cross ( @SFLRedCross) June 12, 1010457993
Some of the residents of the building need specific items and state and local officials are working to provide displaced families with board games , strollers and gift cards, for example.
But the state emergency agency says that Cash is the best option for people who want to help, as it is flexible and efficient.
World Central Kitchen is serving hot meals to the Surfside community to ensure displaced residents and rescue teams are fed as they face to this disaster.
Following the partial building collapse near Miami Beach, FL, the WCK team is still serving nourishing meals to the community. Our partner Soul Town BBQ is onsite with fresh plates for crews working hard and residents & tourists who have been displaced — and we’ll be back tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/nU8u0oj2sQ
– World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) June 25, 2021
Other efforts are focused on housing.
Florida’s emergency agency said Expedia travel company launched a special page for help landslide victims find emergency housing, in collaboration with Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promoter.
Airbnb.org, a non-profit branch of Airbnb, is “coordinating directly with the American Red Cross and the coordinators s mass care facilities to assess the housing needs of the victims, ”the agency said.
Together with the Red Cross, other organizations that work with Volunteer Florida include: United Way of Miami, Hope Animal Crisis Response, Neighbors to Neighbors, Services to the Jewish Community, Catholic Charities, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Florida Regional Interfaith / Interagency Disaster Emergency Network.
United Way of Miami-Dade has established Operation Helping Hands for support and help affected families with both short and short term needs long term.
GoFundMe has also created a list of verified fundraisers for the cause.
President Biden said he spoke with Governor DeSantis on Friday and told him that e he federal government is available to provide immediate assistance and long-term assistance after officials on the ground “decide what the situation is.”
“We really appreciate the president’s support,” DeSantis said at Surfside on Friday afternoon.
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