Giving Compass' Take:

• As the Mid-Atlantic states deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Global Citizen provides a few ways you can help out the victims and assist with relief efforts.

• What is the best way donors can help with hurricane disaster relief in general? How can philanthropists keep track of the storm's impact and the supplies needed to help with recovery? 

• Check out this guide for donors to help out with disaster relief aid.

Hurricane Florence made landfall on the Carolina coast recently, unleashing extreme rainfall and battering homes with heavy winds.

In recent days, governors in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia have declared states of emergency for the towns and cities in the hurricane’s path.

For the people who have ignored evacuation orders or cannot afford to leave, the storm will create dangerous conditions. For the hundreds of thousands of people who have left their homes and businesses, the days ahead will be challenging as they wait for the flooding to subside and assess the damage to their homes.

As you watch the storm unfold and follow social media updates, you’ll probably feel inclined to donate to relief efforts, but may be unsure of how to help.

Here are five things to consider to make sure your generosity is effective.

  1. Donate to relief organizations on the ground: Donating to groups like All Hearts and Hands, Americares, UNICEF, Save the Children, and the American Red Cross will ensure that the relief effort is well-funded.
  2. Donate to local food pantries and shelters: Nutritious food and water are always critically needed in the aftermath of natural disasters when people are displaced from their homes.
  3. Learn what supplies people really need: Rather than reflexively buying clothes, toys, and furniture, wait to watch news reports, read directives from on-the-ground aid groups, and social media posts from people actually impacted and then tailor your donations to their requests.
  4. Realize that there are stages to the relief effort: Instead of just making a one-time donation immediately after the storm hits, remember to check in on the recovery efforts for weeks and months afterwards to see how else you can help.
  5. Donate to crowdsourcing efforts: Hurricane Florence will likely destroy many people’s livelihoods and homes, and cause physical harm that generates hefty hospital bills. As a result, people without adequate resources will be setting up crowdsourcing pages to get through a difficult time and donating money straight to the source is a direct way to provide relief.

Read the full article about helping the victims of Hurricane Florence by Joe McCarthy at Global Citizen.