How to help in situations like the Haiti earthquake
By
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At times like this when the world responds to a major disaster, the question is always “How do I help?”
Having responded to three major disasters, 9/11, Florida hurricanes in 2004 and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, I have seen the waste of resources when people donate material and used clothes.
In Mississippi, there were huge piles of clothes in parking lots, because there was not enough storage room left standing. Food products need to be in shelter, out of the heat of the sun, even if they are canned goods.
What is needed is money. The first thought is to give to RED CROSS and
SALVATION ARMY. I have seen the work of both of these agencies and it is
impossible to place one above the other. The organization I respond with is
the National Organization for Victim Assistance “NOVA”
http://www.try-nova.org. We give emotional help to victims and debriefing
for aid workers. All of our responders are volunteer responders.
I have had correspondence with NOVA and asked about money donations. The
response was to have people donate to National Volunteer Agencies Active in
Disasters “NVOAD”. This can be done on line by going to
http://www.aidmatrix.org/ on the internet. There you can click on Haiti
relief. Just like on line shopping you can click on what items you want
placed in your shopping cart and purchase them. They will be directed to
the agency needing what you purchased. It is safe and scam free.
For information concerning NVOAD, search on line for the members. Most all
reputable organizations in the United States are members.
David Lowell,
Retired Asst. Chief, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue
NOVA Volunteer [[In-content Ad]]
Having responded to three major disasters, 9/11, Florida hurricanes in 2004 and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, I have seen the waste of resources when people donate material and used clothes.
In Mississippi, there were huge piles of clothes in parking lots, because there was not enough storage room left standing. Food products need to be in shelter, out of the heat of the sun, even if they are canned goods.
What is needed is money. The first thought is to give to RED CROSS and
SALVATION ARMY. I have seen the work of both of these agencies and it is
impossible to place one above the other. The organization I respond with is
the National Organization for Victim Assistance “NOVA”
http://www.try-nova.org. We give emotional help to victims and debriefing
for aid workers. All of our responders are volunteer responders.
I have had correspondence with NOVA and asked about money donations. The
response was to have people donate to National Volunteer Agencies Active in
Disasters “NVOAD”. This can be done on line by going to
http://www.aidmatrix.org/ on the internet. There you can click on Haiti
relief. Just like on line shopping you can click on what items you want
placed in your shopping cart and purchase them. They will be directed to
the agency needing what you purchased. It is safe and scam free.
For information concerning NVOAD, search on line for the members. Most all
reputable organizations in the United States are members.
David Lowell,
Retired Asst. Chief, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue
NOVA Volunteer [[In-content Ad]]