Here’s How to Donate Supplies, Money or Time After a Natural Disaster

Our world is not lacking in natural disasters. In any given month, communities are experiencing or cleaning up from a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other unexpected event.

Whether watching events unfold from near or far, many people have a natural inclination to provide compassionate assistance in any way they can.

But it can be difficult to decide where to donate supplies, money or boots-on-the-ground labor where it will do the most good.

Here are some resources to help you decide.

How to Donate Supplies

People in disaster-stricken areas almost always need food, water and other basic supplies. But each disaster also brings its own set of unique needs based on the type and duration of the event, how much time residents had to prepare and how badly the disaster impacted the community’s infrastructure.

“Generally after a disaster, people with loving intentions donate things that cannot be used in a disaster response, and in fact may actually be harmful,” Juanita Rilling, former director of the Center for International Disaster Information told CBS News. “And they have no idea that they’re doing it.”

Here’s what to do instead:

• Check the affected area’s official website and Facebook page for information. Local officials often post lists of supplies victims and relief workers need most.

• Check with the area’s local food bank to see whether it’s accepting food deliveries.

• Look around your house for unused medical equipment like CPAP machines and wheelchairs. Type the item’s name and “donate to disaster victims” to find out where to send your donation.

• Give blood.

How to Donate Money

Several national and international organizations accept financial donations to assist with specific disasters.

Be sure to do your homework before donating money to a relief fund. These independent watchdog groups provide insight into the reputations of charitable foundations and how contributions are spent.

• GiveWell

• Give.org

• Charity Navigator

• National Center for Charitable Statistics

Groups That Provide Local and International Disaster Assistance

These organizations provide disaster assistance to stricken areas:

• Americares

• Center for Disaster Philanthropy

• Direct Relief

• Doctors Without Borders

• GlobalGiving

• International Committee of the Red Cross

• Oxfam

• The Salvation Army

• Samaritan’s Purse

• United Way

Groups that Provide Specific Types of Disaster Assistance  

These groups provide assistance for specific types of disasters:

• AARP Foundation: Older adult welfare.

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Animal welfare.

• American Humane: Animal welfare.

• BlackAmericaWeb.com: Disaster assistance for individuals and families.

• Goonj: Assistance for disasters that occur in India.

• Heifer International: Post-disaster livestock replenishment.

• Islamic Relief USA: Post-disaster resources for the Muslim community.

• The Jewish Federation of North America: Post-disaster resources for the Jewish community.

• Partnership with Native Americans: Disaster assistance for tribes and Native American Elders.

• Portlight: Disaster assistance for people with disabilities.

• Save the Children: Child welfare.

• Support the Girls: Bras and feminine hygiene products for people in disaster-affected locations .

• Topos Tlaltelolco Rescue Brigade: Assistance for disasters that occur in Mexico.

• Transgender Foundation of America: Disaster assistance for people in the U.S. trans community.

• UNICEF: Child welfare.

• YouCaring: Crowdfunded campaigns for undocumented and LGBTQ people in disaster-affected locations.

How to Donate Time and Labor

If you plan to donate time and labor after a future event, consider taking the free disaster training course though the American Red Cross to understand how communities are affected by disasters and how they recover.

Here are some organizations to connect with if you want to help out in person in the wake of a disaster. Note: Some of these opportunities require volunteers to meet certain eligibility requirements.

• All Hands Volunteers

• American Red Cross Disaster Action Team

• American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Volunteer

• American Red Cross First Aid Support Team

• Animal-Assisted Crisis Response

• Convoy of Hope

• FEMA Community Emergency Response Team

• Habitat for Humanity

• Headwaters Relief Organization

• International Orthodox Christian Charities

• Local food banks

• National Association for Amateur Radio

• National Organization for Victim Assistance

• Team Rubicon

Lisa McGreevy is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. Follow her on Twitter @lisah.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.

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