Mexico, Puebla and Morelos Earthquake Relief

In the past September; 5 states of Mexico were shaken by historical earthquakes, leaving thousands of families homeless and destabilizing the economy in these areas considerably.

We were able to raise more than $ 600,000USD, with the support of ICF committed donors and foundations in the USA that have seen in ICF as a reliable partner to get their resources to those who need it most in Mexico.
To date, we have been able to grant more than $ 250,000 USD to local organizations working with specific issues for immediate disaster response. We have been in regular communication with our grantees and advisors who have been able to help us identify support needs in the short and medium term.

Accomplished Phase 1: Short Term Objectives

ICF's short-term objectives were to support immediate needs of affected children, in order to get them back to school as soon as possible, especially in the most affected regions. As well as solving primary needs such as lack of water and medical service in affected areas. In this phase, ICF made donations to the following institutions:
• Fundación Dibujando un Mañana, A.C. – Subgranted with matching funds 4 projects in Oaxaca, Morelos, Puebla and Mexico City:
o Paidi, I.A.P .: Orphanage located in Azcapotzalco that foster children in vulnerable situations such as: family in prison, mental health, etc. We supported through the payment of psychologists and post-traumatic stress care.
o Hope Worldwide, I.A.P .: Three medical brigades; two in Jojutla, Morelos and one in Tlapanalá, Puebla; serving more than 500 affected people per day.
o Crecemos DIJO, A.C .: Community center, located in Oaxaca. Feeding kitchens and psychological attention; classes to avoid educational lag in the absence of schools.
o Colegio Jesús de Urquiaga, A.C .: Scholarships and relocation of students from different damaged schools in Mexico City.
• Cántaro Azul, A.C. – Installation of permanent water filters in central locations in the town of Oaxtepec, Morelos.
• Voces y Visiones de Malinalco, A.C. – For community- driven process to build 15 temporary classrooms for over 400 students from the community of Santa Monica, Oliucán, State of Mexico.
• Fundación el Peñón and Colegio Montefalco, I.A.P. - Schools located in the municipality of Jonacatepec, Morelos (15 kilometers distance from the epicenter of the earthquake); for full-scholarships to students of families who lost their homes and business.
• Fundación Hogares, I.A.P. - Implementation of the Contingency Program (PETCON) in Jojutla, Morelos, to contribute to the recovery of housing and neighborhood businesses and mitigate economic impacts.
• Ruta Cívica, A.C. - CIUDADania19s project, which supports research, capacity building, convening, and community organizing efforts in order to effect policy change and transparency in reconstruction efforts through advocacy to government officials and other decision-makers.
• Techo para mi País, A.C. - To rebuild 500 homes in Puebla, Morelos and Mexico City.
• Cruz Roja Mexicana, I.A.P. - To cover operating expenses related to the earthquake of September 19.
• Fundación Punta de Mita, A.C. - For the reconstruction in all affected areas after earthquakes.

Ongoing Phase 2: Medium Term Objectives

We are working with some local allies in a higher level of decision-making in Mexico. We are looking for a strategy to rebuild the economy in all the affected areas; as well as the social reconstruction of communities through community foundations or initiatives that promote the economic reactivation of the country. The research for strategic allies is essential in this phase.

The specific objectives are:

1. Create capacities in affected communities for economic reactivation.
2. Inform and advocate in behalf of the communities about the decisions of relocation.

We were able to identify two important allies to be able to accomplish this phase:

• Documental Ambulante, A.C. - Ambulante is launching two requests for proposals (RFPs): one open (for leaders, community foundations and nonprofits in the affected areas) and one through invitation (for capacity building or "fortalecedoras sociales"). This grant to Levantemos will be re-granted as part of both RFP processes. The first RFP was launched on February 15 and closed February 28. The results will be announced on April 25, 2018. ICF will participate as part of the selection committee. The second call of proposals, will close on March 31.

• United Nations Development Programs – To support the "economic reactivation" component of the UNDP's program, with the objective of promoting productivity and competitiveness for sustainable economic growth in a re-distributive, inclusive and supportive manner in communities affected by earthquakes and strengthen the foundation of local development through employment trainings, the "En Marcha con PNUD" methodology, and the development of value chains.

• Interamerican Foundation IAF – The Inter-American Foundation, Mott Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, El Paso Community Foundation and ICF are collaborating to launch a Request for Proposals to support long-term reconstruction and capacity building led by Mexican community foundations in the states affected by the September 2017 earthquakes.

Links:

• ICFDN Disaster Update
• Levantemos Mexico Project

• Fundacion Hogares Report (PDF)