Direct Action

British Virgin Islands

H/3 Foundation Natural Disaster Rescue and Relief

After Hurricane Irma devastated the British Virgin Islands in 2017, H/3 led a complex, multi-organization effort to rescue, treat and reunite the islands' animals – and to help a community begin to rebuild.

Marines unloading hay bales during H/3 Foundation and HSI rescue operation in the British Virgin Islands

Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, H/3 Foundation led a complex, international rescue and relief effort that brought together multiple NGOs, on an emergency basis to provide real-time animal rescue, critical supplies and flight capacity for both people and animals in the British Virgin Islands.

Working together with the government and leading NGOs, such as Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States), H/3 and its partners supplied food, carriers, hay for farm animals and critical equipment to support rescue efforts on the ground.  The program also evacuated lost and displaced dogs and cats, reunited families with their pets, and set up local veterinary clinics for emergency medical care and treatment.  H/3 provided critical airlift for both people and animals, and also purchased, procured and delivered much-needed supplies to government emergency personnel.

The BVI has always been a special community of generous and resourceful people, with a deep connection to the magical place they call home – and with the animals who share that home.  Since I first visited many decades ago, the BVI and its people have favoured us with their friendship, hospitality and grace.  So it is now our honour to be able to give something back – both in addressing an urgent, immediate need, but also as the first step in working together as a community to rebuild an even better BVI in the coming years.  Having come to know the BVI spirit over the last 30+ years, I am confident that this community will emerge from this tragic period even stronger than it was before.
Spencer B. HaberFounder and Chairman, H/3 Foundation
A collage of U.S. Marines and Spencer B. Haber during the BVI animal rescue mission

Learn More