Disaster Preparedness & Response

Responding to disasters - considerations for those who want to help

Financial Contributions are Preferred

Cash donations help to avoid the labor and expense of sorting, packing, transporting, storing, and distributing donated goods. Relief and response agencies can use cash to meet survivors' identified needs more quickly.

Donate through an experienced disaster relief, response, or recovery organization:

Information on reputable agencies responding to the disaster is typically available through news media and government websites or via press releases.

Confirm the need before collecting

Donors should be wary of anyone who claims that "everything is needed." Groups can be disappointed when the goods they've collected aren't appreciated. Communities affected by disaster often do not have the time or resources to dispose of unneeded donations. Get precise information and confirm the need before collecting any donated good. Better yet, remember that financial contributions are preferred.

Volunteer Wisely

In communities struggling to respond to and recover from disasters, an influx of unexpected, unrequested, and unneeded volunteers can seriously complicate the process. BEFORE TRAVELING TO THE AREA TO HELP, learn whether volunteers are needed, if local volunteers are preferred (to minimize needs for additional food, water, and shelter in an already challenged area), and if they are seeking specific skills.

Volunteer Connections will communicate with volunteers registered with an interest in disaster preparedness and response when we receive notification from agencies seeking volunteers to assist with recovery efforts. Thank you in advance for your patience as agencies work to determine their volunteer needs. Please consider submitting other interests on your registration form in order to get involved in your community, too!