Fort McMurray Fire: Why You Shouldn’t Donate Physical Goods During A Disaster

This is a very valuable article by Edward McIntyre, especially when all of us are doing our best to help those people show suffered from Fort Mcmurray Fire.

See the full article here: https://edwardmcintyre.com/2016/05/04/when-helping-hurts-why-you-should-never-donate-physical-goods-during-a-disater/?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

https://www.projectcontrolscommunity.com/bbs-detail.php?id=1224&cid=14&scid=48

Why organizations don’t accept physical goods

 This may have you wondering why more organizations don’t accept physical goods. Here are a few reasons why:

?Warehouseing and sorting donated goods is a logistical nightmare

?Individuals affected often don’t have anywhere to store donated items

?The majority of donated items are not fit for redistribution for health and safety concerns

?Costs for shipping & storing donated items often outweigh the cost of buying new

?Donations rarely fill the actual need at the moment

?NGO’s such as the Red Cross have pre-existing agreements in place to fulfill the basic needs of food, shelter & clothing

?The collective buying power of an NGO can stretch your dollar further

If you are going to donate physical items the best avenue is to donate them where you usually do on an individual basis. These organizations are well networked and will help to fulfill the need where needed, but are often not equipped to receive truckloads at a time.

 How You Can Help

 1. Make a financial donation to an NGO involved in the relief effort

We always have a hard time with when it comes to giving financially to an organization but this is the absolute best thing you can do. The Canadian Red Cross does need assessments on every individual and endeavors to provide for their specific needs. This includes getting them back to work by providing items like work boots and specially items such as prescription eyewear or medical aids. Their support often stretches out for years and when you donate to an financial appeal the money is earmarked for that and only that.

The Canadian Red Cross has setup a financial appeal for the Alberta Fires and you can donate here

https://donate.redcross.ca/ea-action/action?.client.id=1951&ea.campaign.id=50610

The Salvation Army also has an appeal here https://secure.salvationarmy.ca/registrant/donate.aspx?eventid=197650&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=http%3a%2f%2fsalvationarmy.ca%2falbertafires%2f

 2. Help others on an individual basis

If you see a direct ask or need from a family or individual and you have the means to provide it, please do so. Just be cautious about spreading the word and collecting more then they need.

3. Volunteer

This can be tricky as everyone wants to help but in these times skilled and highly trained individuals are required. Keep an eye our for calls for volunteers from reputable organizations and remember that volunteers will be needed for months to come.

 4. Thank the Volunteers

I can tell you from personal experience that volunteering during a disaster is extremely taxing. You work long hours, get very little sleep and being there for people effected means you also carry their emotional burden. Volunteers may not always be willing to talk about their experiences but taking the time to thank them for their service can provide much needed energy and prevent burnout. During the Slave Lake fires comedian Tracy Morgan invited volunteers to attend his show free of charge and it gave me the mental break I needed to push through another week.

 Thank you for your support!

Your compassion and desire to help shows the best of humanity. No matter how you choose to give, you will make a difference in someones life, you will make it better. Thank you for choosing to be amazing.