Mississippians are known for helping after a disaster and they play a crucial role in the recovery process with their generous donations of time and resources. However, right after a disaster, the affected community can be overwhelmed with neighbors and ordinary citizens wanting to help. This can be hard to manage, and their help may not meet the actual needs of the community. Here are some tips to ensure your help is used most efficiently:
Volunteers
For anyone wanting to help others after a disaster we encourage volunteers to NOT self-deploy but instead join an organization or nonprofit that helps during disasters before arriving in the disaster area.
The Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Mississippi VOAD) is a group of nonprofit organizations that respond to emergencies. They work together to support communities affected by disasters. The Mississippi VOAD helps these organizations cooperate, communicate, and coordinate their efforts to be more effective. They have many partner and associate members, including various groups and faith-based organizations, each with a unique mission and capability to help those in need.
Remember that recovery takes much longer than media coverage of a disaster. Communities will need volunteers for several months or even years after an event. Tasks may include cleaning up debris, covering roofs with tarps, and rebuilding homes and lives.
Donations
Knowing what is needed, where it is needed, and getting it there on time is crucial. Needs can change quickly.
The most effective way to help survivors after a disaster is by giving monetary donations to recognized disaster relief organizations. Cash donations give nonprofits or volunteer agencies the most flexibility to obtain the needed resources. These organizations are on the ground and know what items are needed and in what amounts. They often buy supplies in bulk at lower prices and try to purchase from local businesses, which helps the economy recover.
If you prefer to collect items for donation, it's important to check with the local emergency management office or a trusted nonprofit organization to confirm what items are needed. Receiving agencies often must sort, store, transport, or redistribute items that can't be used. This could redirect valuable resources and manpower away from addressing the needs of disaster survivors.