How to help victims of the California wildfires
Wildfires across California have killed at least 31 people, displaced more than 100,000 others and devastated thousands of acres - leaving people all over the state needing help.
Camp Fire, in Northern California, is currently tied as the deadliest ever in in the state, with more than 200 people also still missing.
The Woolsey Fire - in which two people have been killed - and the Hill Fire are displacing thousands as well.
In times of disaster, at least there are some opportunities to help. Here’s how:
Send Money
In these sorts of disasters, the most sorely-needed resource is always cash. When non-profits receive money as opposed to goods, they can get exactly what they want, and they can spend more efficiently when they buy in bulk.
There are many organisations that are asking for donations to help them help the victims of the California wildfires. Charity Navigator is an online independent charity ranking website, which analyses how effectively different charities spend your donation. They list some of the highly-rated charities that are accepting donations for the California wildfires here.
Here are some other options:
Direct Relief
This organisation responds to disasters with medical help. They currently need masks, medicine, and other medical supplies.
The Humane Society of Ventura County
The local Humane Society is helping pets and livestock affected by the Southern California Fires.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has deployed disaster workers to provide food, shelter, relief and supplies to affected areas. (Note: this organisation has a controversial history when it comes to using disaster funds.)
The LA Fire Department Foundation
A nonprofit partner of the LA fire department is seeking donations to buy hydration backpacks for volunteers.
Housing
If you live near the fires, but don’t need to evacuate, you can help your neighbours by offering your home or property to temporarily house those who are displaced and relief workers through vacation-rental website AirBnB. AirBnb’s Open Homes program is set up for you to list any available housing that you have. For the disaster-related bookings, Airbnb waives booking fees but keeps their services, including insurance, available to hosts.
For Woolsey and Hill Fires, here is their Southern California program. For Camp Fire, here is their Northern California program.
Volunteering
According to the organisation California Volunteers, volunteer needs are currently being assessed. The organisers ask that people do not self-deploy to the affected area.
The organisation Caring Choices is shorting through upwards of 1,500 volunteer applications for Camp Fire in Butte County, according to their website.
Be considerate when donating items
After nearly every natural disaster, good-hearted people decide to send non-monetary items like clothing and furniture to victims. These sorts of donations can flood in and overwhelm response efforts that have no use for prom dresses and teddy bears. After the earthquake in Haiti, dealing with all the junk was considered a “second disaster.”
However, some organisations have Amazon wish lists or registries that you can use to buy them the items that they really need. Baby2Baby, for example, has a registry of needed items you can buy for them via the department store Target.
