In response to severe flooding on Kauai, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have pledged to donate $1 million to organizations working tirelessly to assist the community’s storm relief efforts as well long-term recovery.
In response to severe flooding on Kauai, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have pledged to donate $1 million to organizations working tirelessly to assist the community’s storm relief efforts as well long-term recovery.
“Kauai has become our family’s retreat and sanctuary,” said Chan and Zuckerberg. “We are heartbroken by the floods and are committed to helping the community recover and rebuild an even stronger one.”
The donation will support organizations helping the North Shore and Koloa recover from the acute phase of the disaster including Hawaii Community Foundation, Kauai Habitat for Humanity and Kauai Economic Opportunity. These contributions are in addition to donations Zuckerberg and Chan made to the American Red Cross and Malama Kauai earlier this week.
Organizations receiving initial commitments include:
• Hawaii Community Foundation: A Kauai Relief and Recovery Fund has been established by Hawaii Community Foundation to quickly respond to relief needs on the island. This includes a childcare center for families, offering children a safe space while parents and guardians focus on cleanup efforts. They are also working to create a satellite classroom in Wainiha, which will allow area high school students to complete graduation requirements since storm damage to local roads has prevented access to the school.
• Kauai Habitat for Humanity: Kauai Habitat for Humanity will provide both long-term and immediate assistance for those displaced by the flood, with a particular focus on providing resources to the island’s low-income community in need of new housing. They are also attending to Habitat homeowners on the North Shore to ensure the safety and integrity of their homes, and the organization’s Restore program will play a role in helping those impacted.
• Kauai Economic Opportunity: A vital part of the Kauai community that has helped meet the needs of the island’s homeless population for over 44 years, the organization will focus on offering homeless family outreach, shelter assessments, emergency supplies and other needed services to those impacted families. They will also assist with relocation fees for low-income residents if housing is not available on Kauai.
Once the damage to the island is fully assessed, Chan and Zuckerberg will evaluate additional community needs to determine how to allocate the remaining funds in order to restore and rebuild the island over the long-term.
