We Stand by Mexico

The emergency
On Tuesday, September 19th, at 11.14 PST / 13.14 local time, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Mexico City. Although reports are still incoming, we know that there are at least 40 collapsed buildings. Official death toll stands at over 200. There is an unknown number of trapped under rubble, and emergency crews and volunteers are working round the clock to help.

Our top priority
Search and Rescue Vancouver has a team of four highly trained specialists waiting to travel with their specialized knowledge and equipment. We need to get them to Mexico. Donations will be used first and foremost to pay for their travel. 

How we're helping
David Narvaez Cavazos, my brother in law, is a professional EMT, a mexican national working with BC Ambulance Service. He has traveled to Mexico to provide his help, with a couple suitcases of whatever medical supplies we could gather in short notice. We are looking to send him as much support as possible. 

We are concentrating on acquiring (via purchases or donations) the necessary supplies, and partnering with people traveling to Mexico so they can transport it with them as baggage. 

We are also in touch with a highly trained team of search and rescue specialists that needs transportation to Mexico so they can provide their expertise. 

What we're doing with the money:
With your donation we'll be able to: 
a) Purchase plane tickets and pay baggage fees for rescue personnel traveling to Mexico City
b) Pay for additional baggage fees for volunteers traveling indepdently who agree to take an extra suitcase of supplies with them
c) Purchase medical equipment and supplies in Vancouver, that will then be carried as baggage by people traveling to Mexico City
d) Purchase whatever emergency supplies are needed in Mexico and are still available locally

Any remainder will be donated to the local Red Cross. 

Fund withdrawals:
I will withdraw the funds and either purchase / pay locally as needed, or deposit into personnel's accounts to be used to pay for medical supplies purchased locally. We will provide all available receipts to make the destination of your money clear and update you on the team's progress. 

Who I am:
I am Diego Hernandez, a mexican living in Vancouver doing what I can to help people back home. We're lucky enough that everyone in our families is OK, but there's thousands of people who weren't so lucky and need your help.