Many people have shown their interest in helping those affected by tropical storm Nate in Costa Rica; it is very important that your donation is received by the appropriate entities to ensure that it gets to the communities in need.

The Costa Rica Red Cross has 121 auxiliary committees and 9 regional centers throughout the country that can receive donations, the National Emergency Commission is another good alternative, shopping centers and schools are also offering their assistance collecting donations and delivering them to the appropriate authorities.

The Red Cross has made a list available of first necessity items that are currently needed, if possible they urge the population to prepare “kits” for a more efficient work, these are some of the items that are most needed:

Rice
Beans
Sugar
Coffee
Milk
Juice Boxes
Water
Butter/Oil
Pasta
Tuna cans
Sardine cans
Canned Soup
Ketchup, mustard, Lizano sauce
Bath Soap
Laundry Detergent
Tooth Paste
Tooth Brushes
Dish Detergent
Baby Diapers
Adult Diapers
Toilet Paper
Brooms
Mops
Sponges
Gloves
Trash bags
Brushes
Cooking items (pots, pans)
Buckets
Trash Cans

The Red Cross will NOT receive used clothes or shoes, damaged electronics, or medicines that are closed to expiring.

For cash donations:

BAC Credomatic is collecting through the page www.yomeuno.com and will duplicate the amount gathered to a maximum of US$100,000.00.

BCR: Launched the campaign “Yo nací en este país” (I was born in this country) and has made available two bank accounts for donations: Colones: 001-515-0 (SINPE: 152010010000051508/ ID: 4-000-000019) and Dollars:001-516-0 (SINPE: 152010010000051690 / ID: 4-000-000019)

Other collection centers:

Avenida Escazú: will serve as a collection center for donations as of this Saturday, October 7 and through Tuesday, October 10 from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Terrazas Lindora will receive donations from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. this weekend.

Plaza Bratsi in Heredia will also be collecting donations from October 7-10 from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.

Mango Plaza in Alajuela from Saturday through Tuesday from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m.