Last week, the Mexican state of Guerrero suffered severe damage as a result of Hurricane Otis. At least 48 people have lost their lives and dozens more remain missing. From all around the world, the Ria community sends our love and support to our colleagues, costumers, and friends affected by this tragedy.

Here’s what we’re doing to help ensure that our customers can support their loved ones in this time of urgent need:

We’re offering zero-fee transfers through our partner Elektra/Banco Azteca for funds sent from any participating Ria location within the U.S. for cash pickup in Guerrero. 

We’re also offering customers everywhere the ability to donate to Save the Children’s relief efforts through our app or in person at any Ria location.

Both options will be available through November 15.

Otis made landfall as a deadly Category 5 storm in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 25 just outside the city of Acapulco. In addition to the loss of human life, estimates place the number of homes damaged by the storm at more than 220,000 throughout Guerrero. Nearly half a million homes lost power, and Acapulco lost access to municipal drinking water.

A lack of sufficient equipment for monitoring storms in in the eastern Pacific Ocean, combined with the nearly unprecedented speed with which Otis intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, left many in the area unprepared for the intensity with which the storm finally struck. At the moment of landfall, it was the strongest storm to ever impact this region of Mexico.

Officials and rescuers are working to assess the full extent of the damage and reconnect citizens with essential services. The support of the worldwide Mexican diaspora, as well as all of those inclined to show solidarity with the impacted communities, is more essential now than ever before. We’re ready to do our part to help on the road to recovery.