Center for International Disaster Information

The most effective donation to help survivors of disaster events overseas is also the easiest for donors - monetary support to relief agencies who serve affected populations.  Some people feel that cash donations are not as personally rewarding as donating a commodity or service, but there are compelling reasons why cash donations are much more effective.

• Can be used immediately by relief professionals to purchase exactly the type and quantity of what is needed, when it is needed.
• Purchases can be made in local markets, strengthening fragile businesses and economies.
• If needs change suddenly, cash can be used to respond immediately.
• Supplies purchased locally will be fresh and familiar to survivors.
• Local purchases will be nutritionally, culturally and environmentally appropriate.
• Local purchases expedite local economic recovery and ensure that businesses can operate once relief supplies decrease.
• Cash donations support important livestock, livelihoods and health initiatives that material donations cannot affect at all.

So What to Do is to make a monetary donation to a relief agency of your choosing.  If you are determined to collect a material donation, you should check all the boxes before collecting the commodities:

If you want to volunteer your time, consider the following:

Volunteers should affiliate with a responding agency prior to the onset of a disaster and travel to the disaster site only as coordinated by the agency.  That organization can assist with or take responsibility for:

• assessing your skills, including fluency in the language of the affected area
• documentation for travel, including passport and updated innoculations
• basic needs, including food, water and shelter
• medical considerations, including insurance
• your security in the disaster area

Prospective volunteers may be required to demonstrate a strong technical skill set prior to being deployed.  Volunteering to assist in a disaster response is a serious commitment; many response agencies look for ten or more years of experience, and a commitment of three months or more in the affected area.