Disasters
There are no greater treasures than the highest human qualities such as compassion, courage and hope. Not even tragic accident or disaster can destroy such treasures of the heart - Daisaku Ikeda
image by: Antti Lipponen
HWN Recommends
Best intentions: When disaster relief brings anything but relief
The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey reminds us all over again that when Nature grows savage and angry, Americans can get generous and kind. That's admirable. It might also be a problem.
"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," said Juanita Rilling, former director of the Center for International Disaster Information in Washington, D.C. "And they have no idea that they're doing it."
Rilling has spent more than a decade trying to tell well-meaning people to think before they give.
In 1998 Hurricane Mitch struck Honduras. More than 11,000 people died.…
Resources
Charitable Needs Evolve After Disasters
After a disaster like Hurricane Harvey, determining what people need and when they need it is a key part of effective philanthropy, charitable-giving experts say. In fact, the wrong donation at the wrong time may do more harm than good. Here is what disaster victims likely need now, a month and a year from now.
Disasters Abound—but You Can Make a Difference
You may be feeling helpless in the face of relentless nature. But we humans are good at surviving. We take care of each other. We lift each other out of harm's way. We help each other rebuild. It's what we do, and I have a list of organizations here that are ready to put your donations to work helping victims of meteorological and geological catastrophe survive and reclaim their lives.
Donating to Harvey Relief Efforts: How, When, What to Give
Here's how to make sure you are giving in a way that matters the most.
From Katrina To Harvey: How Disaster Relief Is Evolving With Technology
Open data and social networks like Snapchat and Facebook have helped FEMA react more quickly and effectively.
How To Avoid Scams & Fake Charities In Aftermath Of Hurricane Harvey
With millions of people affected by the ravages of Hurricane Harvey, there will inevitably be a second flood hitting Texas in the weeks to come: Scammers and con artists looking to prey on people who have been displaced, whose homes need extensive repairs, and on the rest of us who want to help by donating to a cause that will help them.
Making Sure Your Help Gets to Hurricane Harvey’s Victims
It’s admirable that Americans’ first instinct when disaster occurs is to open their wallets and volunteer their time. Since this has never been a nation that relies wholly on government to take care of those in need, citizens’ first impulse is to pitch in, whatever their politics or faith.
Want To Give To Harvey Victims? 5 Things To Consider First
A scholar of philanthropy offers best practices to keep in mind when you contribute.
Best Strategies for Disaster-Relief Giving
In the era of social media, charity begins the moment disaster hits. And that isn’t always a good thing—at least for some donors.
How Social Media Is Changing Disaster Response
The Haiti earthquake is often pointed to as the watershed moment that changed how social media is used in disasters. Social media was independently evolving in the years leading up to 2010, but the size and inherent emotional appeal of that disaster created the right environment for it to flourish...
How to Detect Disaster-Relief Scams
Social media, crowdfunding are popular for fraud after disasters like Hurricane Harvey.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
National VOAD, an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster.
To Increase Disaster Aid, Do Not Mention Global Warming
A new study suggests that mentioning climate change causes contrarians to withhold charitable giving.
“We shouldn’t reflexively send $10 to the Red Cross”
The easiest thing to do after a disaster strikes is to make a quick donation to the Red Cross. Millions of us have done it: You send a text, contribute $10 or $20, and imagine you’ve done a good deed.
Best intentions: When disaster relief brings anything but relief
Many of the well-meaning articles we Americans donate in times of disaster turn out to be of no use to those in need. Sometimes, they even get in the way. That's a message relief organizations very much want us to heed.
All Hands Volunteers
All Hands Volunteers is a volunteer-powered disaster relief organization dedicated to Rebuilding Hope for people impacted by natural disasters all over the world.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies.
Americares
Americares saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so they can reach their full potential.
Best Friends
Best Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals; provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs.
British Red Cross
We are a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.
Brother’s Brother Foundation
The mission of Brother’s Brother Foundation is to promote international health and education through the efficient and effective distribution and provision of donated medical, educational, agricultural and other resources.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is a full-time resource to help donors make more thoughtful disaster-related giving decisions and maximize the impact of their gifts.
Compassion International
Compassion International exists to release children from poverty in Jesus' name.
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, disaster response and partner resourcing.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief International provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. We work to strengthen the in-country health efforts of our partners by providing essential material resources.
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. We help nonprofits from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe (and hundreds of places in between) access the tools, training, and support they need to be more effective and make our world a better place.
GoFundMe
Raise money for yourself, others, and charities.
Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International strengthens communities through improving health access, providing humanitarian development and administering crisis relief worldwide.
Islamic Relief USA
Islamic Relief USA provides relief and development in a dignified manner regardless of gender, race, or religion, and works to empower individuals in their communities and give them a voice in the world.
Matthew 25: Ministries
Matthew 25: Ministries is an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization helping the poorest of the poor locally, regionally, nationally and internationally regardless of race, creed or political persuasion.
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries.
Medical Teams International
Responding to urgent needs is core to the mission of Medical Teams International. We intervene in catastrophes where the needs outstrip local resources, where we have access, and where we can have a great impact.
Oxfam
When disaster strikes Oxfam's priority is to start saving lives, then to help people come back stronger.
Salvation Army
At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to Doing the Most Good
Samaritan's Purse
For over 35 years, Samaritan's Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
SBP
SBP’s mission is to shrink time between disaster and full recovery by ensuring that communities are are resilient prior to a disaster and that disaster-impacted citizens and communities recover in a prompt, efficient and predictable manner.
UNICEF
With your support we can keep children safe whenever and wherever disaster strikes.
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