When a natural disaster such as a hurricane strikes, people band together to help give survivors hope that life will return to normal. Whether it occurs in your country or elsewhere in the world, there are several ways you can help. Here’s how to help people who have been affected by a hurricane.
1. Donate Cash
One of the fastest, most effective, and most flexible ways of helping hurricane victims is making cash donations to recognized disaster relief organizations. Your financial contributions will help these organizations promptly respond to urgent and developing needs. Donating cash also boosts the economy of the impacted area. Locals are compensated for helping rebuild. Supplies are sourced from local suppliers. This kind of capital influx helps with the recovery of the economy. Although you may choose to donate in other ways, bear in mind that by sending unsolicited goods, you may fail to help the victims meet their urgent needs.
2. Donate Goods
Donating goods isn’t the best way to help people affected by a hurricane. 90% of Barbuda buildings were damaged by Hurricane Irma, leaving close to 60% of people homeless. In such a situation, housing was likely more of a priority over clothing, and cash donations had a bigger impact on the victims’ lives.
If you wish to donate goods, find out if the organization accepts donations and what’s needed first. Unsolicited donations only increase their workload because they’ll have to sort and clean everything before distributing it. For instance, don’t donate plants, as most homeowners, about 92% of them, prefer decking their yards with plants native to their locality. Be sure to send essential and practical items as well. For instance, don’t send bales of winter clothes to an area that experiences high temperatures.
3. Work With a Local Nonprofit
The best part about this tip is you don’t need to wait until a natural disaster strikes to offer assistance. Finding a nonprofit you can support should be easy, as many help with disaster recovery. There are many ways you can get involved without volunteering. You can organize events like food drives and fundraisers, join the board, or share information on social media. Working with these organizations year-round means you can act quickly in a disaster such as a hurricane. You may even be sent to foreign regions if they need help. Nonprofits are always asking for and accepting help. The sooner you join, the sooner you can help those affected by hurricanes.
4. Donate to a GoFundMe Campaign
While donating to a GoFundMe campaign involves more risks than donating to a disaster relief organization, it offers a way to donate to individuals while learning about their personal experiences. Simply head to the website, type the hurricane’s name into the search bar, scroll through the results until you find a fundraising campaign you want to participate in, open it, and click on the ‘Donate Now’ button. Finally, enter the amount you want to donate and your payment information.
You can share your donation on your social media accounts to show others how they can help. According to GoFundMe employees, donations go straight to beneficiaries and don’t pass through the hands of middlemen, ensuring the money reaches the intended recipient or recipients. GoFundMe is always on the lookout for intentionally deceptive campaigns. If a cause is false, GoFundMe refunds all the donations.
You must have the necessary medical supplies when a disaster such as a hurricane strikes. These include medical and surgical supplies, such as stethoscopes, surgical clamps, and syringes, which account for about 40% of the industry’s revenue. Other supplies you’ll need include hospital furniture, surgical dressings, and orthopedic equipment, which comprise another 40% of the industry’s revenue.
When a hurricane strikes, it can leave an area devastated beyond belief. If you find yourself wanting to help make a difference in locals’ lives after a natural disaster, consider implementing these tips above. You don’t have to be directly on the ground rescuing folks from buildings to make a difference. You can assist those in need in a variety of ways. Using these tips can help those affected by the disaster. Stay safe and do your best!
