In the past few weeks, several countries have faced tragedy, hurricanes and earthquakes have struck and caused devastation, in small islands in the Caribbean as well as Mexico and the United States.

If you are in Costa Rica and you want to help the victims of the Mexico earthquake authorities recommend going directly to the Red Cross in the country.

The Costa Rican Red Cross will channel all cash donations through the Red Cross International Federation and the Red Crescent Movement, an international humanitarian movement that has volunteers, members and staff worldwide and that is currently working with the Mexican Red Cross.

The Industry and Commerce Chamber Costa Rica-Mexico (CICOMEX) is also receiving donations that will be directly delivered to Mexican authorities, as confirmed by its executive director Santiago Aguilar.

Authorities recommend going through authorized channels only, since unfortunately in times of distress there are always cases of fake institutions and even people that ask for donations in name of different humanitarian organizations and the help never reaches the right people.

The Costa Rican Red Cross has the following bank accounts available:

Banco Nacional:
Colones 100-01-000-100100-7 or SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 15100010011001007
Dollars: 100-02-000-068666-7 or SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 15100010020686665
Banco de Costa Rica:
Colones: 001-01760033 or SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 15201001017600333
Dollars: 001-00002046 or SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 15201001000020465

CICOMEX accounts:

Scotiabank
Colones: 001-010151072 SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 12300010101510728
Dollars: 002-010-151302 or SINPE (Bank to bank account #): 12300020101513021

The Costa Rican government offered formal help to Mexico immediately after the tragedy in the form of rescue teams specialized in urban search and rescue, the teams are formed by firefighters, members of the Red Cross, personnel from the Costa Rican Social Security Service and of the National Emergency Commission.