How To Help — And Not To Help — The Philippines
The enormity of the human tragedy and pain caused by Typhoon Haiyan is splashed across every news site and TV. As we think about how we can help, there are several lessons we've learned from Hurricane Katrina, the South Asian Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake to remember.
1. Do not donate goods
While it can be well-intentioned, donations of shoes or clothing or other personal goods are not useful in disaster situations. The time, cost and logistics of shipping these goods internationally do not make sense. Donate money. This way, the aid organizations can purchase what people need quickly, buy what is most needed, purchase the goods locally and support the local economy.
2. Do not try to volunteer right now
Most nonprofits working now to get out relief supplies have trained staff or trained volunteers already. There is limited to almost no logistical capacity to interview, vet and train new volunteers right now. Wait another 3 months when power, roads and food are available and then there will be plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer to help rebuild houses and schools.
3. Donate now, and pledge to give again
Rebuilding the lives and communities devastated by the typhoon will take years, if not decades. According to RAND study, it will take 11 years to rebuild from Hurricane Katrina.
So give now, but don't forget to give again. Fisherman will need money to repair their boats and fishing equipment, children are going to need rebuilt schools, and farmers will need funds to replant their fields. This is going to be a marathon. We tend to have a short memory, so try to commit yourself to not forgetting about this cause a year from now, or 10 years from now.
Here is a list of international disaster relief charities and reviews about them: https://greatnonprofits.org/disaster-response/typhoon-haiyan/
4. Bring your community together with a fundraiser
In addition to your own giving, you can raise money from people in your community. At a time when we're all reeling from the enormity of this tragedy, one of the most healing things you can do is to organize a potluck dinner, church or school donation drive to get your friends together and raise money for this cause.
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Perla Ni is the founder and CEO of GreatNonprofits, a website that helps inform and inspire nonprofit excellence through community sourced feedback about nonprofit organizations. Here is a list of disaster relief charities and reviews about them: https://greatnonprofits.org/disaster-response/typhoon-haiyan/
Vendedora de Joalheria na Joalheira Exotica
9 年E muito triste voce saber, tem pessoas passando por dificuldade, acidentes que acontece quando voce recebe a noticia, comove assim como em outros paises. Somente Deus para confortar.
Humanitarian Response, DRR, Sustainability, Shelter, Settlements, and Urbanization
11 年Can anyone please provide the reference to RAND study on Katrina that was mentioned in the article? Thanks
Business/Video Productions/Technology Consultant
11 年Being a Rotarian, I have learned that there are First Responders, and long term partners. Rotary tends to be on the Long Term Partner side with a few exceptions like Shelter Box (https://shelterbox.org/ ). I visited and participated in many of the Katrina projects, especially building new homes in Pass Christian, MS, as well as fund raising. Many people do not know that First Responders are gone within months or possibly a year. On the other hand, rebuilding can take many years, and with the news media loosing interest, can make it difficult to raise funds or help those that are still in need.
Purpose Driven with Opportunity
11 年My family/relatives were one of the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, Thank you so much for all of your concerns,prayers and suggestions. All we can do is help each other and pull ourselves up together. I'm feeling blessed right now for all the support that Philippines is receiving. Again thank you so much!
Sr. Quality Engineer at General Dynamics
11 年My church and family donate directly to my Sister-in-laws small community, her mother has always taken in and cared for the local poor on their little island, we are lucky enough to have relatives near by in an unaffected area that will be buying the supplies with the funds we have donated. Otherwise their little community would probably not see help for months.