Hurricane Harvey's record-breaking rainfall and widespread damage in South Texas was unprecedented for a storm in the US. Seventy-seven people were killed, hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged, and thousands were temporarily displaced. Harvey dumped 27 trillion gallons of rain by the time the storm dissipated. Current estimates put total losses as high as $125 billion and 33 Texas counties declared a federal disaster.

Immediately, International Relief Teams shipped 625 disaster health kits to on-site partners providing support and temporary shelter for evacuees. Next, we purchased nearly $100,000 in ready-to-eat meals (9,216 meals) and delivered them to evacuation centers in hard-hit coastal communities. In addition, we sent five semi tractor-trailers filled with more than 21,000 gallons of bleach to help clean and sanitize homes and prevent the spread of disease, illness, and mold. 

Since the flood waters receded, we have shipped truckloads of drywall, insulation, and roofing materials, and will start sending skilled construction teams to Louisiana as part of a multi-year commitment to help those families, especially the poor, elderly and uninsured, restore their lives and their homes.

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IRT has more than 29 years of experience in assisting victims of disasters, both nationally and internationally. During its history, IRT has delivered more than $343 million in humanitarian aid to those in desperate need. IRT provided aid following Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey from 2012-2016, following Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi from 2005-2011, and is continuing to send construction volunteer teams to Louisiana to repair homes following the 2016 floods.

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Give Now to the Victims of Hurricane Harvey

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IRT in the news:

San Diego Channel 8 News                         Local Relief Team Responds in Texas

SB Nation                                                     How to Help Houston after Hurricane Harvey

Charity Navigator                                         Hurricane Harvey

SELF                                                            Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help

San Diego Union Tribune                            Hurricane Harvey: Here's how to help the people of Texas

Tims of San Diego                                       National Charities Gearing Up to Help Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Fox 5 San Diego                                          San Diego agencies helping flood victims in Houston

The Journal Record                                     Editorial: Applying the Oklahoma Standard

CNN                                                             Help for Hurricane Harvey Victims

Good Morning San Diego                            Local IRT sends more than 1K hygiene kits to Harvey victims

PR Newswire                                               USANA True Health Foundation Donates $130,000 To Victims Of Hurricane Harvey

Good Morning San Diego                            Tacos Libertad to donate 100 percent of September's proceeds to Harvey relief efforts