In the aftermath of a disaster, many individuals and groups are eager to help. To ensure your support has the greatest impact, please follow recommended guidelines for donating and volunteering responsibly. The best practices below provide helpful steps to maximize your contributions and make a positive difference.
Cash is Best
Giving money to trusted disaster relief organizations is usually the fastest and most effective way to help. These organizations know what is needed and can buy supplies in bulk, often at a discount. When possible, they also buy from local businesses, which helps the community’s economy recover.
In-Kind Donations: Confirm the Need
Donating items can help, but it’s important to plan carefully. Sending the wrong items or too many can overwhelm communities already facing challenges. Needs can change quickly, so always check with local sources before donating. Here are some tips:
- Only donate items requested by relief organizations. This helps ensure donated items address the actual needs of survivors and avoids creating extra problems like overwhelming supply lines in or near disaster areas.
- Verify there is a recipient to receive the donation: Coordinate a time and location with a local entity to ensure a handoff for the donated items, preventing public hazards.
- Give new and clean items. Make sure what you donate is in good condition and useful.
- Sort and label your donations. This makes it easier for relief workers to organize and distribute the items.
- Coordinate delivery. Contact the organization before sending items so you don’t overload their supply lines.
- Donate with dignity. Don’t donate expired, broken, used, unclean, or inappropriate items. Think about what will be truly helpful.
Connect to Volunteer
Do not self-deploy to disaster areas.
Don’t go to disaster areas on your own. While you may want to help, showing up without coordinating with a trusted organization can make things harder for responders and put you at risk. Trusted organizations know where volunteers are needed and can provide the right training and support.
Volunteers are extremely helpful to ensure survivors can return to their new normal. Recovery can take months or even years, so volunteers are often needed long after the news coverage ends.
How You Can Help
If you want to donate money or items, volunteer your time, or have questions, email the FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons at Donations@fema.dhs.gov. FEMA does not directly accept volunteers or donations, but can help connect you with organizations that do and answer any questions you may have.
For more information and a list of trusted organizations, visit your state’s Emergency Management Agency website or your state or territory’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact:
- FEMA Individual Assistance Donations at Donations@fema.dhs.gov
- FEMA Individual Assistance Voluntary Agency Liaisons at FEMA-VAL@fema.dhs.gov