by Holly Johnson
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Thu September 28, 2017
This year's hurricane season has been nothing short of disastrous, leaving billions of dollars of damage in its wake from the coast of Texas to Florida and beyond.
Particularly hard hit by Irma and Maria are the islands that make up the Caribbean and West Indies. One after another, the likes of Dominica, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico have suffered the same fate-an almost complete destruction of their buildings, their infrastructure and their way of life.
If you want to donate to charities helping people in the Caribbean rebuild their lives, here are some of the best ways to contribute:
Virgin Islands Search and Rescue
Virgin Islands Search and Rescue, or VISAR, has been completely overwhelmed with requests for help and assistance across the British Virgin Islands. If you want to contribute, they have an account set up through YouCaring.com.
Virgin
Billionaire Richard Branson lost his home when hurricane Irma tore through the Caribbean and directly over his estate on Necker Island. He'll be busy rebuilding his island escape for years, but he's also asking for donations to help others rebuild in the BVI.
If you donate here, your contribution will be directly handled by The Virgin Group and distributed to those in need.
Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse has been instrumental in relief efforts across the Caribbean, but especially in storm-ravaged St. Maarten. The Christ-based charity has delivered cargo planes full of desperately needed supplies including water purification units, shelter plastic, hygiene kits, blankets and food.
You can contribute to Samaritan's Purse here.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Cruise Ships Aid Rebuilding Caribbean[/READMORE]
Global Giving
Global Giving has set up a disaster relief fund specifically to help those recovering from hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean.
"This fund will provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild," they write. "All donations to this fund will exclusively support any necessary hurricane relief and recovery efforts in the Caribbean."
You can donate to the fund here.
Dominica Hurricane Relief Fund
The Dominica Hurricane Relief Fund was set up to help people in the island of Dominica, which was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Maria.
You can donate here or at DominiCARElief.org.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Celebrities Who Are Leading Irma Recovery Efforts[/READMORE]
Unidos Por Puerto Rico
Unidos Por Puerto Rico was created to help raise funds for the country after they endured not one but two major hurricanes this year-Irma and Maria.
A telethon will be held for the cause on October 1, but you can donate online as well.
Barbuda Relief Fund
The American University of Antigua has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for their sister island of Barbuda, which was 90 percent destroyed during hurricane Irma.
You can donate here.
Catholic Charities USA
Another big effort to raise money to rebuild the Caribbean is being made through Catholic Charities USA. They promise that 100 percent of all monies donated will go directly to relief efforts across the Caribbean and the southern United States.
Donate here.
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