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Different ways to help | Financial support The best and most versatile way of helping communities overseas — in an emergency situation or not — is through a cash donation to a relief, development or refugee support organisation. In this way, funds can be allocated according to need, e.g. to purchase goods locally, support leaders and communities, or provide life saving relief such as medicine or food.
Five reasons why cash is best - Cash allows disaster relief professionals to procure exactly what is needed in a disaster situation.
- Cash is the most efficient donation because it does not use up scarce resources such as transportation routes, staff time, and warehouse space and because it can be transferred very quickly.
- Cash donations do not require transportation costs, which can outweigh the value of materials donated.
- Cash supports the economy of the disaster-stricken region.
- Cash donations prevent culturally, dietary, and environmentally inappropriate giving.
Raising funds on behalf of an Australian charity Community groups and individuals wishing to organise an event or activity to raise funds to contribute to an Australian charity’s response (otherwise called third party fundraising) should:
- identify an appropriate organisation to send funds to that is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct, and
- contact the organisation to get authorisation and information about correct procedures for receipting and banking of funds raised.
Non-cash donations IMPORTANT
Never assume that relief goods will be transported by any organisation, including the Australian Defence Force. Before collecting and sending any non-cash donations you must confirm that the organisation is willing to accept, transport and distribute the goods.
Goods Unless specifically requested by an organisation responding to a disaster situation, donations of food, toys, clothing or blankets are not needed after a crisis and should not be collected or sent.
Food In most disasters food scarcity is not an immediate problem, although distribution networks are frequently disrupted.
If food is requested, donated foodstuffs must be non-perishable, appropriate to the local culture, and clearly labelled.
(Note: powdered milk in lactose intolerant populations with no access to clean water is a formula for increased child fatalities.)
Medicines Donations of medicines (other than commercial quantities) are not collected and sent except via authorised organisations.
Medical supplies are highly specialised commodities that must be distributed in an effective and timely way. Medicine donations must be based on World Health Organization and Red Cross standards and coordinated by experienced relief organisations. They must have a shelf life of at least 12 months after arriving in the country and old prescription medicines should never be sent.
Volunteering Volunteering in a developing country is a way of contributing your skills and knowlege to a community. Information and useful links about volunteering are available at Volunteering. | | | Back to Humanitarian and emergencies | | |
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