Looking to make the biggest impact during a crisis? Here’s how to help those affected by natural disasters right now.
6 Ways You Can Help After a Natural Disaster
Updated on Oct. 25, 2024
Donate to trusted disaster-relief organizations
While there are many ways to give to charity, giving money is often the most helpful after a natural disaster. That’s because it’s quick and easy to do, and money can be used where it’s needed most. You can donate cash or gift cards to those in need, but it’s often easier to donate through a reputable charity or relief organization. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scam charities, especially in the wake of a crisis, so it’s important to donate only to vetted organizations.
Here are some of the best organizations that help with natural disasters, according to Charity Navigator, a nonprofit dedicated to analyzing and scoring charity organizations based on their effectiveness, finances, transparency and leadership. This list is a good place to start if you’re looking for ways to help anyone affected by a natural disaster right now, and many of these organizations also provide support to other humanitarian causes, such as the war in Ukraine.
Convoy of Hope
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, this faith-based nonprofit is dedicated to making a difference in children’s feeding programs, agricultural development, community outreach and disaster relief. Currently, it is providing ongoing support to those affected by Hurricane Helene and is working with local pastors and emergency-management teams to help families impacted by Hurricane Milton.
International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps, known for its emergency medical services and health trainings, mobilized its team ahead of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Florida. The emergency response team is still on the ground, partnering with the Department of Health and local organizations to support families in the wake of Hurricane Milton.
All Hands and Hearts
Founded in 2005, All Hands and Hearts brings volunteers together with local leaders and community members to aid in disaster-recovery efforts. Its focus is on helping families rebuild after devastating natural disasters.
Water Mission
The mission of this Christian nonprofit is to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to developing countries and disaster-stricken areas. Following Hurricane Helene, it distributed nearly 700 generators to residents without power and is working to have 20 water-treatment systems ready across western North Carolina to ensure safe drinking water.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief‘s assistance programs focus on emergency preparedness and disaster response, tailored to the particular circumstances and needs of different populations.
Red Cross
The biggest first-line emergency response organization in the world, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, medical care and comfort to victims of natural disasters worldwide.
CDC Foundation
The CDC Foundation is the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to combine government and community resources. It manages hundreds of programs, including emergency responses to natural disasters.
World Central Kitchen
Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen cooks hot meals on-site for victims of natural disasters.
UNICEF
UNICEF (short for United Nations Children’s Fund) provides medical, nutritional and other support for children who’ve been affected by disasters worldwide, especially those in developing countries.
The Humane Society
When looking for organizations to help those in need, don’t forget our four-legged friends! The Humane Society provides shelter, food and medicine to pets and works to reunite them with their owners or rehome them after natural disasters.
Create a fundraiser
Put simply, more people equals more money, and creating your own fundraiser is a great way to mobilize people who want to help. If you’re dealing with a local natural disaster, start by raising funds through your community—local service clubs, schools and churches often have built-in networks. Designate a charity to receive the funds so people can donate directly, on the organization’s site or through an app; that way, you won’t have to deal with transferring donations through your personal account.
You can also organize an online fundraiser through GoFundMe or GlobalGiving. These sites allow you to raise money for specific people or situations and can feel like a more personal donation for charitable folks. Over the past year, GoFundMe has also been a go-to fundraising site for those who want to help after other tragedies, such as mass shootings.
Collect supplies
Many people jump to provide food, clothing, shelter and other immediate needs during a natural disaster, and while these impulses are great, it’s best to take a little extra time to figure out what is really in short supply. This will help you give relief organizations exactly what they need—instead of overwhelming them with items they don’t.
Start by checking organizations’ websites; they often have lists of what they need and where to send it. Or call food banks, shelters or community organizations in the affected area to see what specific needs they have. For instance, people who lived through the wildfires that blazed through Northern California needed special masks, while those recovering from the Kentucky floods requested dehumidifiers. And keep in mind that tools, medical supplies, diapers and formula are often far more needed than bags of last season’s clothing.
Ship supplies
Once you’ve gathered supplies, it’s important to ship them properly—and to the people who can distribute them. Large-scale organizations have detailed instructions online for how to store and ship donations. Do not send anything they didn’t specifically request. If you’re sending specialized items, like tools or medical supplies, try to go through a company in the local area. You can also send a gift card from stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, or donate emergency kits through the Red Cross.
If you’re helping with a local natural disaster, you can drive the supplies to the relief organization yourself. Just be sure to call ahead, as many organizations have specific hours and locations for accepting donations. And an important note: Do not drive into an affected area; instead, reach out to the officials coordinating the relief efforts and follow their instructions.
Donate blood
Disasters stress medical resources in the affected communities—that includes supplies of blood. You might be surprised to learn that it’s important to donate blood during a natural disaster even if your local area isn’t affected. While your blood likely won’t be used in the disaster zone, it can free up other blood supplies that can. Your blood donations are also an important part of helping your local community prepare for a future disaster. FYI, if you’re O-negative, you’re a universal donor, though all blood types are important to have on hand.
Donate your skills or time
If you are trained in disaster response, mass-casualty EMS or search and rescue, or if you have a skill like construction or supply distribution, volunteer your skills and knowledge. You can contact your local emergency services, sheriff’s office and Red Cross to see if they are seeking volunteers. If you don’t have a particular skill, offer your time to help with cleanup afterward.
However, always call or check online first. Do not go as an individual volunteer to a disaster zone expecting to find ways to help. In reality, you will be adding one more person to the already strained infrastructure. This is especially important to consider if you’re looking to help after a strong hurricane or other natural disaster.
How to prepare for a natural disaster
One of the most helpful things you can do is prepare yourself ahead of time for a natural disaster. Not only will these preventive measures protect you, but they will also limit damage in case disaster strikes.
The first step is to find out which disasters are most likely to affect you. For instance, do you live in the city with the highest hurricane risk? Then make an emergency preparedness plan for your house. This plan should be written out, and hard copies should be printed out and given to each person. Make sure to include details like what to do if the power goes out.
The second step entails stocking up on essential emergency items. These include:
- A 72-hour emergency kit, stored in your garage in an easy-to-grab go bag.
- Videos and photos of your entire home, inside and out, as it currently is. Insurance companies may need this detailed information later.
- Important documents gathered together in a portable, fire-safe lockbox.
- At least a two- to three-day supply of drinking water.
- At least a two- to three-week supply of pantry food.
- A month’s supply of medications.
- At least two weeks’ worth of food and medication for pets.
- A way to cook that doesn’t use electricity, like a camp stove.
- Backup chargers for electronics.
- Written phone numbers and addresses for several loved ones who live close enough to drive to but far enough away to likely be out of your disaster zone.
You should also sign up for emergency-alert services in your area. If you use a cell phone, be sure to register the number with your home address. Feeling overwhelmed? This disaster-preparedness app leads you through the steps you need to take.
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Sources:
- UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: “Human Cost of Disasters: An overview of the last 20 years (2000-2019)”
- USGS: “How can climate change affect natural disasters?
- CBS News: “Hurricane Milton leaves path of destruction across Florida, at least 16 dead”
- EMDAT: “2023 Disasters in Numbers”
