Work through active organizations to help storm survivors

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 4:29 PM

By Staff report

Visit the FEMA Volunteer and Donate page for a list of reputable organizations to direct donations.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages all those who wish to donate to the relief efforts for recent hurricanes to do so through coordinating agencies and do not self-deploy to the area.

Responding to a disaster is a complex, coordinated effort. With such widespread destruction in an event like Hurricane Helene, many roads are impassable or unsafe to travel. Active search and rescue efforts continue, and arriving vehicles with supplies could cause more harm than good at this early stage. Please avoid trying to deliver personnel or supplies without coordination through an active organization in the area.

“The first impulse for people is to want to help when they see the devastation on TV or have friends and family in the area. That is totally understandable,” said Mary Moran, director of Emergency Management with IDHS. “Volunteer needs will continue for many weeks, months and even years, and there will be plenty of opportunities to help. But, it must be coordinated so as not to cause an increased burden on first responders.”

Cash donations are the most effective and will be put to use immediately. Visit the FEMA Volunteer and Donate page for a list of reputable organizations to direct donations.

Volunteers also are needed, but it must be coordinated through an organization currently working the disaster. These agencies are trained and experienced to receive, sort and deliver the goods many states across the country have collected on the behalf of storm survivors.

Helene hit North Carolina the hardest, and below are some reputable organizations to donate cash or arrange for volunteers or supplies to help:

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

NC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

Donate to North Carolina VOAD

NC 211 Effort