How to help people affected by Hurricane Florence: NPR

Flood waters continue to increase in the Carolinas as the post-tropical storm Florence continues to pour rain into the region. The dangerous storm has already killed more than 30 people and displaced thousands, leaving them without electricity or shelter.

As a result of Florence, North Carolina and South Carolina, the officials are encourage people at volunteer or donate if they can. Here is a guide to help you.

Why give money

Money is king after a disaster, says Julia Brooks, a researcher at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The initiative analyzes and improves the way communities and professionals respond to emergencies. Brooks has studied dozens of disasters and said that people's tendency is often to donate supplies, but this can actually hinder recovery efforts.

"[Supplies] often obstruct transportation systems "They are becoming a burden for first responders in the region to manage, sort, store and distribute, and often they are not even what people need on the ground," Brooks said. are asking for specific things and say that they are set up to receive them. "

If in doubt, she says, it is better to give money.

With this in mind, people looking to donate should be wary of those they donate to and should look for any organization before making a donation. Charity Navigator evaluates charities based on their financial reports and can help guide decisions about whether to donate to various organizations.

National Organizations

Most people know big organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way and the Salvation Army. Here are some other reputable national organizations that also accept donations:

Glowing for the world – Gleaning for the World provides medical surpluses and essential supplies from donor companies for humanitarian efforts around the world. The organization began accepting donations for those affected by Hurricane Florence before the storm hit land. Its website accepts cash donations, which will be used to fund the distribution of supplies. The organization has a score of 84 out of 100 in Charity Navigator.

GlobalGiving – This organization's hurricane emergency fund will initially support immediate food, fuel, water, sanitation and shelter needs, and then transition to emergency efforts. longer term recovery. GlobalGiving works by funding the relief efforts of approved local organizations. It has a rating of 96 on Charity Navigator.

Donors choose – Donors Choose is currently accepting cash donations to "help teachers take care of their students and replenish their classrooms with materials such as books, furniture, school supplies, technologies and therapeutic resources." The organization has a score of 96 out of 100 in Charity Navigator.

International Medical Corps – International Medical Corps, a global non-profit organization, specializes in providing health care and medical supplies to disaster areas. The body is currently on the ground in North Carolina provide medical treatment and asks for financial support. The organization has a score of 84 out of 100 in Charity Navigator.

GoFundMe – GoFundMe has put together a landing page of verified campaigns to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. Campaigns have been launched by organizations such as NFP Task Force 75 Inc., a volunteer rescue team composed mostly of former US military personnel who believe that their service to the country and its citizens has not ended.

Operation BBQ Relief – Operation BBQ Relief provides meals for displaced residents and emergency staff. According to the organization's website, it has prepared equipment and resources and is ready to move into areas affected by hurricanes as soon as conditions are safe. He asks for cash donations as well as volunteers. The group was founded in May 2011.

World Hope International – The Virginia-based charity is on the ground in the affected areas and accepts donations. The group works with its church partners to distribute supplies and gets a score of 92 out of 100 on Charity Navigator.

Local organizations

Local organizations often have a deeper knowledge of local conditions and the best ways to solve community problems. Regarding the local or national gift, Brooks said, "It really depends. I would not say that it is better to find a national or local organization. It is good to find a credible organization.

North Carolina has created a list of "volunteer organizations active in a disaster," which lists some local organizations. We have highlighted a few, as well as other credible local organizations in North and South Carolina:

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund – Set up and managed by the state government, the fund accepts both money and volunteers. The contributions will help meet the immediate unmet needs of the victims of Hurricane Florence. In addition to making a donation online, you can text to Florence in 20222 or send your contribution by mail to: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699.

An SC fund – Established by former South Carolina governor and current UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, and a community foundation, the One SC Fund provides grants to charities to fund emergency operations. .

Hearts with hands – Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Hearts With Hands is a nonprofit "proximity ministry" that was established in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew went to Florida. It accepts cash donations and has on its website a specific list of in-kind products, such as washcloths, toiletries and razors.

Foundation for the Carolinas – The foundation has created a hurricane response fund that is used to channel money to non-profit organizations in North Carolina and South Carolina. The foundation has a score of 94 out of 100 in Charity Navigator.

Christian Lutheran Services – Lutheran Services Carolinas is a faith based organization that has sites in North Carolina and South Carolina. He accepts donations for "long-term recovery".

Baptists on mission – The money paid to the Baptists of the Mission will help, among other things, the 2nd Baptist Church of Washington, NB and the Baptist Church of the New Bern Temple, to provide meals to those affected by the storm. The group also asks for volunteers.

Central kitchen of the world – The World Central Kitchen was founded by chef José Andrés after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Using a food truck to deliver food to New Hanover, Columbus, Brunswick and Pender counties in North Carolina, Wilmington's World Central Kitchen works with local chef Keith Rhodes. He accepts cash donations.

provisions:

North Carolina Diaper Bank – Founded by parents Michelle and Gregory Old in 2013, Diaper Bank Diaper Bank distributes more than 200,000 diapers a month across the country, with branches in North Carolina. It also gives access to basic necessities for families in shelters. The bank has an Amazon wish list requesting underwear, toilet paper, feminine products and children's diapers.

Breads and Fish – Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and serving County Mecklenburg, Loaves and Fishes provides families living a short-term crisis with a grocery week. The organization reports that from Tuesday, it operates according to a regular schedule. The organization accepts online cash donations and donations of supplies can be deposited in any store as well as in its warehouse.

Feed the Carolinas – Founded in September 2016, Feeding the Carolinas is an alliance of the NC State Association and the SC State Association, representing the nine Caroline food banks and a food recovery organization. He works with Feeding America and accepts donations to local food banks. Otherwise, you can make monetary donations on their website.

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina – Operating for more than 35 years, the Central and Eastern North Carolina Food Bank works with a network of over 800 partners in the state. He accepts donations to deposit sites in these six cities, as well as donations online.

Harvest Hope Food Banks – This South Carolina organization feeds hungry people and families in the Midlands, Pee Dee and Greenville areas. He also works with Feeding America and returns those who want to give supplies to his Amazon wish list. He also accepts donations of food and supplies to various locations and donations online.

The local police – For those who are within driving distance, police and sheriff's services in hurricane-affected areas accept donations of bottled water, non-perishable goods, cleaning products and other items. hygiene items. The Association of Police Officers of South Carolina has tweeted a list of landing places.

Animal shelter

Some animal shelters recover and absorb a surplus of animals from areas affected by the storm.

Atlanta Humane Society – Staff members worked with shelters on the Carolina Coast, making arrangements to ensure that animals are out of danger. They are currently accepting cash donations, which will be matched until September 30th.

Rescue of coastal animals – Coastal Animal Rescue is a no-kill hideaway with a veterinary clinic that has hosted dozens of dogs and cats and given them treatment. "We've welcomed as many as we can, and some are staying with us now, because people can not bring them back," said Barbara Cook, a Coastal Animal Rescue volunteer.

Cook mentioned that some of the animals were abandoned pets or left by their owners as the storm approached. But not all animals managed to get out of the storm path.

Pender County Animal Shelter – In Pender County, flooding has exceeded Interstate 40 and the animal shelter is filling up quickly. However, the law requires that shelters be used to euthanize animals if the number of animals arriving exceeds the space they have to occupy and can not find suitable resettlement options for animals.

Jewell Horton, the shelter manager, said she wanted to avoid euthanasia of the animals and asked for help.

"Unfortunately, at the moment, the infrastructure is so bad because of the storm that we can not accept payments online," she said.

Currently, the county is cut by floods, she said, but she asked people to send donations, pet food, kennels and other supplies into the area. hope the roads will reopen soon.

The Charleston Animal Society, which has evacuated more than 40 dogs from Myrtle Beach, S.C., is another animal shelter affected by the storm. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue; the Greenville Humane Society, which has an Amazon wish list; and the Humane Society of Charlotte.

Give blood or time

Following blood donor cancellations in affected states, the American Red Cross reports a blood shortage and is encouraging residents of unaffected areas of Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Carolina South, Tennessee and Virginia. some blood. Appointments can be made online.

If you are a local or plan to travel to the Carolinas for help, you can also give time. Some of the organizations already listed accept volunteers. The state of North Carolina has also set up an online form to recruit volunteers. South Carolina is ask volunteers not to deploy themselves and that, if they wish to participate in relief operations, they register on a site managed by the United Way Association of South Carolina.

Finally, for those who want to help, but do not have much time to lose, the owners of the Amazon Echo smart speaker can say, "Alexa, give relief to the victims of Hurricane Florence" will send money to the Red Crossas long as you have a valid payment method on your Amazon account with activated voice buying.

Ruben Kimmelman and Amanda Morris are NPR trainees.