How can you help when a natural disaster strikes? What you should know before you donate.
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t take long for images of suffering to span the globe — not to mention the appeals for help. If you want to help but aren’t sure how or whom to contact, we’ve got the answers.
What is the best way to donate?
Talk to any government or aid organization and they will tell you the same thing: The best way to help is to donate money to an experienced humanitarian organization.
Why? In simplest terms, it’s the fastest and most efficient way to get help to those who need it most. An experienced organization is better able to assess the needs of victims and find the most cost-effective means to purchase and distribute essential items like food, water and medicine. In many cases supplies can be purchased locally at a lower cost, which supports the affected economy as well as helping your cash go farther.
In contrast, donated goods such as clothing and food may not be appropriate for the climate or culture, and the costs of sorting, shipping and distributing them can be high. Add in concerns about fumigation (like bed bugs) and import regulations and it’s not hard to see how supply lines can get clogged. Some items could end up turned away at the border.
Donating goods can be an effective strategy when the crisis is close to you or there are calls for specific items for a devastated area. For example, your used clothing may not be appropriate for a victim of a cyclone in Asia, but may be welcomed by the victim of a fire or flood in your area. Collected items can also be sold through a community garage sale or auction with the proceeds going to charity.
What you should know before you donate
