Frequently Asked Questions

DONATIONS – Cash

Why do I always hear that cash donations are best? It makes me feel that relief organizations are only interested in my money? I’m willing to do so much more!

Your generosity is deeply appreciated, but from years of experience with hundreds of disasters we have learned that cash contributions are by far the most useful response. Financial contributions allow professional relief organizations to purchase exactly what disaster victims need most urgently and to pay for the transportation necessary to distribute those supplies. By purchasing exactly what is needed, relief agencies can avoid the oversupply of what is not needed and the purchase of those urgently needed commodities which might be in short supply. Unlike in-kind donations, cash donations entail no transportation cost. In addition, cash donations allow relief supplies to be purchased at locations as near to the disaster site as possible. This approach has the triple advantage of stimulating local economies (providing employment, generating cash flow), ensuring that supplies arrive as quickly as possible and reducing transport and storage costs. Cash contributions also allow for the purchase of food, clothing, and other items that are culturally appropriate. Cash contributions to established legitimate relief agencies are always considerably more beneficial than the donation of commodities.

How can I be sure that I can trust these agencies to use my cash to really help disaster victims?

If you have a preferred agency with relief activities underway in the disaster-stricken country, you are encouraged to work with them.  If you do not have a preferred agency (or if your preferred agency does not have a program in the country to which you would like to provide assistance), the CIDI website will offer useful information, which may help you select a satisfactory organization.

During major international emergencies, the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) provides a link to InterAction’s list of responding agencies for each international emergency. InterAction is a coalition of its member non-governmental organizations. In order to acquire and maintain membership, each organization must go through rigorous financial and policy reviews to ensure that cash donations are used appropriately. For additional information about InterAction, its membership and standards, please visit www.interaction.org

For additional information, the Center also recommends that you visit the Better Business Bureau’s site at www.bbb.com. The Bureau, along with the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureau’s foundation ant its Philanthropic Advisory Service have joined to form the Giving Alliance, where you can find valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities. The web site is located at www.give.org.

Historically, after major disasters many non-registered, unofficial "relief agencies" begin collecting cash donations they claim are destined for disaster relief victims. Some are never registered with the U.S. government as legitimate charities, though they may place advertisements in newspapers and on internet web sites. There is little follow-up to ensure that the funds these groups collect ever reach disaster victims. The Center cautions individuals and groups to make sure their donations are made to legitimate groups. If you have questions regarding these groups, be sure to request copies of this group’s audited annual reports, proof that this group has registered as a legitimate charity with the Internal Revenue Service, and proof of a track record in international disaster relief activities.

I want to be sure that my cash donation benefits the victims, not to pay the staff salaries and overhead of the relief agency. What is the appropriate range of overhead that these relief agencies should be charging?

This is a difficult question and one that we receive often. There are some relief agencies that operate with very low overhead rates, mainly because their activities focus on the collection of materials and arranging the necessary transportation for these items to disaster sites. These agencies do not require large numbers of employees to provide support on the ground. On the other hand, there are other relief agencies with higher overhead rates who send personnel to the disaster site to administer the transportation, distribution of commodities and manage relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programs. Clearly these programs require more personnel and resources than others—and will have higher overhead rates. It is your choice which agency you would like to support. On InterAction’s list of agencies responding to different international emergencies, there are short descriptions that provide specific information about the kinds of activities they are undertaking. There is always a web site link from the CIDI to InterAction. If you wish to reach InterAction’s web site directly, go to www.interaction.org.

Can I receive some sort of report on how my cash donation to a relief agency was spent?

You can request this information from the agency to which you make your donation.

Can I receive a tax deduction for my cash donation?

Make sure to check with the agency to which you make your donation. For more information that details tax-exempt, tax-deductible and other related issues related to donations and charitable organizations, please visit the www.give.org site.

DONATIONS – In-Kind

I would like to be able donate items for the disaster victims. How do I go about it?

First, if you have not yet begun collecting items, Do Not Start!  If you have started collecting miscellaneous items, STOP!

One of the greatest misconceptions regarding international disaster relief is that used clothing, canned foods and bottled water are urgently needed after a foreign disaster! Again, you are reminded that supplies, particularly food and clothing, can almost always be purchased locally – even in famine situations. Local procurement provides the triple advantage of stimulating local economies (providing employment, generating cash flow), ensuring that supplies arrive as quickly as possible and reducing transport and storage costs.

Do not make assumptions about the needs of disaster victims. Exactly what is needed can be confirmed by checking with an established relief organization that has personnel working on-site. Do not send what is not needed; unneeded commodities compete with priority relief items for transportation and storage. Organizations that receive in-kind relief donations can help this process by clearly communicating what items are required (in what size, type, etc.) as well as clearly stating what items or services are NOT needed. Please remember, certain foods, particularly in famine situations, can make victims ill. In most cases, donations of canned goods are not appropriate, while the collection of bottled water is highly inefficient. It is important to have an accurate analysis of need before determining response. Many professional relief agencies adhere to at least the minimum standards for relief activities set forth under the Sphere Project, in order to improve the quality of assistance provided to disaster victims. For more information regarding the Sphere Project, we invite you to visit www.sphereproject.org.

I have already collected several hundred pounds of used clothing, but I have found that the relief agencies are not able to transport or use my donation. Now what do I do??

Immediately after a disaster, many local organizations will spontaneously begin collecting miscellaneous items for use in disaster relief. However, at the time that these collections are begun, agency officials will not have thought about to whom, or how, the items will be sent. It is not unusual for community and civic groups to have collected several thousands of pounds of relief supplies only to find that they do not know whom to send the supplies to and that they do not have viable transportation options for shipping the goods.

At this juncture, it is often advisable for those collecting the goods to auction them off locally, converting commodities into cash to be applied to the relief effort. If these items cannot be auctioned, we recommend that they be donated to local charities where they might be beneficial to those in need in your own community.

For a list of agencies that do accept donations of specific types of used clothing and other related materials, please visit: www.helping.org/promos/cs_clothing.adp.

I know that the government has provided free transportation for donated commodities in the past. They have planes flying overseas all the time – and I’m sure they must have some extra space for my donation!

Never assume that the government or any relief agency will transport donations free of charge (or even for a fee). In the majority of cases, the collecting agency will be responsible for paying commercial rates for the transportation and warehousing of items gathered. It is important to make arrangements for the transportation before collecting any kind of material donations.

Though the US government has provided some support for the transport of donated commodities in extraordinary circumstances in the past, they are in no way obligated to provide the same support in the future!

It is also important to remember that in some countries, unless the government of the disaster-stricken country has specifically requested YOUR donation, they may not allow the plane or ship to offload your shipment. You may then be responsible for the costs of transporting your donation both to and from the disaster site! It is important to also keep in mind that governments of the disaster-affected countries may not waive duties on your donation. It will then be the responsibility of those to whom you are sending materials to find the funds to pay these duties!

I have several vials of narcotics and other prescription medications that I would like to donate to the disaster victims. How do I go about donating these medications?

Please remember that distribution of narcotics and other medications to persons other than those they were specifically prescribed for is illegal in the United States. The coordination and collection of medicines and medical supplies are best left to the disaster trained professionals who have expertise in responding to health-related emergencies overseas. The acquisition of appropriate clearances, shelf-life requirements, reliable distribution mechanisms and other factors for transport and use of these medications require special knowledge and expertise. If you have no use for prescription medications in your possession, it is recommended that you dispose of them in a safe and effective manner. For additional information regarding international drug donations, please visit www.drugdonations.org.

VOLUNTEERING

I would like to volunteer a few days of my time as an international disaster relief worker. I’m good with children, I can drive a truck or hand out blankets. While I do not have any work experience overseas, I have traveled quite a bit during my vacations. I will do anything just to be able to help!

The Center receives thousands of calls each year expressing the same desire to volunteer for international disaster relief assignments. The reality is that volunteers without disaster relief experience are generally not selected for relief assignments. Candidates with the greatest chance of being selected have fluency in the language of the disaster-stricken area, prior disaster relief experience, and expertise in technical fields such as medicine, communications, logistics, or water/sanitation engineering. In many cases, these professionals are already available in-country.

Most agencies will require at least ten years of prior experience, as well as several years of experience working overseas. It is not unusual to request that volunteers make a commitment to spend at least three months working on a particular disaster.

Most offers of "another body" to drive trucks, set up tents, and feed children are not accepted. Local volunteers and even disaster victims themselves are available, and benefit from, being actively involved in their own relief activities.

Keep in mind that once a relief agency accepts a volunteer, that agency is responsible for the volunteer’s well-being –i.e., food, shelter, health and security. Resources are strained during a disaster, and another person without the necessary technical skills and experience can often be a considerable burden to an ongoing relief effort.

Volunteers should also keep in mind that relief work is a profession -- and that it takes a unique individual who can work effectively in incredibly difficult conditions.

Each time there is a large international disaster I offer my services as a volunteer. It seems that no one is interested unless I have previous international relief experience. How do I get experience if no agencies will give me the chance?

The Center recommends that if you truly are interested in becoming a qualified volunteer that you start small—and start locally. Volunteering in your own community through a variety of programs will lend you experience in dealing with helping people in need. Your local Red Cross can provide you with information on their disaster management training courses, which are held throughout the year.

I am a doctor (or paramedic, nurse, EMT, etc…) and I know that my services must be needed for relief activities. Where do I sign up??

In most international emergencies doctors are still available locally, within the country and within the region. In most cases, the affected government will rely upon these resources first, before requesting outside assistance, since these doctors are most familiar with the medical systems, the language and treatments required. Please, do not go to the disaster site on your own!

If you are interested in offering your services as a volunteer, be sure you are working with an agency that is working on the ground and has authorization from the government of the affected country to bring in personnel and medications. When unannounced doctors fly into the affected country only to be stranded at the airport or in the capital city because they haven’t taken into account the fact that their medical skills are not recognized, lodging may be unavailable, transportation services and roads might be impassible due to the emergency, and that local health officials are likely to be heavily occupied with relief activities.

Keep in mind that most medically oriented relief agencies will have volunteer personnel that they have worked with for many years -- and can call upon these individuals at a moment's notice. Many of these organizations will also require that you have registered with them before a disaster, so that they can review your qualifications and experience.

I understand that disaster relief personnel are professionals and they must have the appropriate skills and training before they are sent on overseas assignments. I am interested in pursuing international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance as a career. Can you point me in the right direction to get the appropriate degrees and training?

If you are serious about a career in international disaster relief, there are an increasing number of colleges and universities offering degrees in the wide variety of aspects of humanitarian assistance. From degrees in Public Health and International Affairs to Economics and International Humanitarian Assistance Law, there are wide varieties of specialties to choose from. A quick search on Internet search engines will provide you with a wealth of information!

I have read your guidelines regarding volunteers, and feel that I have the necessary skills and time to devote to volunteering. Now what??

If you feel you meet the criteria for being an international disaster relief volunteer, we invite you to register your skills with the Center’s Registration data base. Registering does not guarantee that a relief agency will send you on a relief assignment, but it may serve as a resource to make useful information about your skills and experience accessible to relief agencies when they need to find personnel to meet specific emergency needs when they’ve exhausted their existing rosters. Registrants with the Center have been picked up by a variety of agencies for many large-scale emergencies such as those in Rwanda, Honduras and Kosovo.

Registrants should keep in mind that if an agency can use their skills, that agency will contact the volunteer directly to verify references and to finalize the details of the assignment. The information contained in this database is only shared with international relief agencies that have been registered with the US government, and members of InterAction.

SECURITY

I have relatives who are US citizens and are living in the country where the disaster occurred. How do I find out if they are all safe?

In this instance, your best resource is through the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. General information can be obtained from the State Department web site at www.state.gov. It is best to check the web site for information you will need before calling the State Department. For immediate assistance, the Consular Affairs phone number is 202/647-5225.

We were planning to travel overseas, but from what I see on the news, I’m not sure if we should still go. I understand that the airport is open, but I wonder is it still safe to travel there?

Again, the State Department is your best resource. For information regarding travel, travel warnings and other related information, please visit the Travel-related section of the State Department’s web site at www.travel.state.gov for up-to-date information regarding your destination.

ADOPTION

I have seen on the television that many of the disaster victims have been orphaned. How can I adopt these children?

The Center supports the protocol set forth by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the U.S. Department of State. In most cases it is preferable to place orphaned children with members of their extended family or with other families of the same culture. Please be aware that many governments do not allow foreign adoptions. For additional information please visit the UNHCR web site at www.unhcr.chand the State Department Office of Children’s Issues at www.travel.state.gov.

BUSINESS

I work for the law firm (or public relations firm) of a large corporation. I have been asked to find out how to make a large material corporate donation. What are my next steps?

The first thing you will want to do is contact the Center at 703-276-1914. We will first determine whether your potential donation is actually appropriate for, or needed in, the field. There are many details, such as the quantity and quality of the donation—along with requirements for transportation and warehousing. Please contact the Center, we would be delighted to work with you to find out if a match is possible! Another alternative is to go to the Center’s Registration Data Base, to provide us with the information on-line.  If the offer is not needed or appropriate for international disaster, the Center can make referral to organizations in the U.S. that may be interested in the offer.

I am a manufacturer of materials that I feel would be useful for disaster relief organizations. How do I get my company listed as a resource?

First, we invite you to register with the Center’s data base for offers of commodities—both for sale and/or donation. It is a resource we use when relief agencies are looking for specific materials. When they are looking for a specific commodity, they will contact your company directly—and you can work out the details. To register, simply go to the section for ‘Registration’ and complete the form for offers of commodities. Please remember that registering your offer does not guarantee that a relief agency will contact you. Agencies procure supplies based on real needs in the field and whenever possible, these agencies acquire supplies as close to the disaster site as possible to support local/regional economies and therefore significantly reduce transportation costs. Readers should note that information contained in this data base is not intended for government procurement or contracting purposes. Information that you supply in the data base is used for US government and relief agency use only.

I am interested in bidding on US government contracts to be involved in international disaster relief activities. Where do I find information?

Information regarding U.S. government contracts related to international relief and development programs can be found Business and Procurement section of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) web site www.usaid.gov. Notices for bids are accessible through the Commerce Business Daily publication (information provided from the USAID link).

My company is interested in pursuing business opportunities in a country that has recently experienced a major disaster. What is the best resource for investigating my options?

The Commerce Department has a wonderful program for assisting U.S. companies that wish to do business abroad. For additional information, visit the Commerce Department’s web site at www.commerce.gov.

This FAQ was developed in July 2001, and contains information from the Center for International Disaster Information’s (CIDI) Guidelines for Effective In-Kind Private Sector Donations. The Guidelines are excerpts from "Managing Resource Coordination for Sudden-Onset Foreign Disasters: A Case Study Focusing on the United States’ Response to Hurricane Gilbert/Jamaica" by David Callahan, VITA, 1989. Excerpts from this document should reference VITA/CIDI as the source.