My name is Isabela Tapia Jaramillo. I’m a conservation biologist from the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and I’m currently doing a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley in the US.

When people think of the Galápagos, they picture its iconic wildlife and landscapes. Nearly every fundraiser for the islands supports research and conservation of these unique ecosystems. Few people know that the Galápagos is also home to over 30,000 residents. They are families who live alongside the nature the world travels to see, and who have cared for these islands for five generations.

Now those families are suffering. On October 30–31, about 15 hours of torrential El Niño rains flooded Santa Cruz, my home island. Over 2,000 families are affected, at least one person died, and others are still missing.

In the hardest-hit neighborhoods, the encañadas (normally dry ravines) swelled into raging rivers, carrying massive boulders down with the force of the water. They destroyed not only homes but also roads and paths, cutting families off. In La Cascada, water rose over 10 feet. Electricity poles fell, and power was cut for safety, leaving people in the dark. Many were rescued in kayaks and dinghies by their own neighbors in the middle of the night. Families watched everything they owned wash away: beds, clothes, food, documents, appliances, the tools they work with, and the homes they spent their lives building.

Our isolation makes this even harder. We live about 1,000 km off the coast of Ecuador and depend on planes for food, medicine and even basic supplies like menstrual products. With commercial flights cancelled and only humanitarian flights arriving, these essentials are scarce. The same isolation slows outside aid. That’s why sending money directly to as many families as possible is the fastest, most effective way to help.

As a community, we are terrified of what’s to come. October–November is only the beginning of what has been classified as a super El Niño, predicted to peak in late December 2026 to early January 2027.

Thankfully, my family and I are safe. That’s why we feel it is our duty to help our community in every way we can.

Where your money goes: Every single cent goes directly to families who lost everything. Many are starting from zero, with no bed to sleep in, no dry clothes, no food, and no roof over their heads. Each family decides what they need most: a meal today, medicine or medical care, menstrual and hygiene products, a mattress, or rent for a safe place to live while they rebuild. Decisions are made by the families themselves, not by someone else. We will keep a receipt for every transfer and share them here.

Any donation makes a difference, even $1. Thank you so much, and please share!

A note on transparency: My partner and co-organizer, Anson Baker-Berry, is listed as the beneficiary. As an international student, I’ve chosen, out of caution, to have funds received through his US account. All funds will be transferred from his account directly to affected families in Galápagos, and we’ll share receipts for every transfer here.