Wildfires have decimated more than 37,000 acres of the Los Angeles metropolitan area over the past few days, charring more than 12,000 structures, displacing more than 150,000 residents and leaving at least 13 people dead.
Tuesday, when the fires startedThe White House has made federal disaster assistance available to the state of California to assist in its recovery efforts. The disaster also sparked an influx of donations from around the world.
Like the the fires are raging and as Los Angeles looks toward possible recovery, here are ways you can most effectively contribute to the city’s rebuilding efforts.
Long-term donation
Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, emphasized that the Los Angeles community will need donations to last beyond the immediate aftermath of the wildfires. She compared disaster relief to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“At first, people would have said, well, we just need protective equipment and we need a vaccine, and that’s all we need. But as we moved through this crisis, we understood much better that what everyone needed to come out of Covid was so different,” she said. “For some people, it was childcare. For others, it was elder care. For some, it was because their children were falling behind in school. It varied in many ways, which we all need to move beyond.
McIlreavy encouraged donations to organizations aimed at preventing the Los Angeles community from falling behind because of the devastationin addition to those providing immediate and vital resources.
“What’s the difference between a hot meal and access to your own pantry and kitchen?” A hot meal is great. It’s wonderful to receive a hot meal after your family has suffered a disaster. But having access to a kitchen, being able to prepare your own meal, feeding your children with food, and in a way and at a time that you choose, it’s a question of dignity, it’s a question of free will .
Be specific with your donation
Brea Burkholz — a spokesperson for Direct Relief, a California-based nonprofit that provides medical resources for disaster recovery — cautioned against bringing large bags of miscellaneous items directly to shelters. While this is well-intentioned, Burkholz said, Los Angeles shelters often don’t have the capacity to handle the sudden influx of donations.
“A lot of times the system can be overwhelmed with donations of clothing and material goods because they’re not set up and don’t have the space to accommodate all of that,” she said. declared.
Burkholz suggested people donate their time or help specific families in need of specific items or housing.
“If you can make a direct connection with a family who is in need, that’s a much better approach because you know exactly who the money is going to and there’s a place for it,” she said. declared. “A lot of these people who have been displaced don’t have space. They don’t have a house.
Wendy Escobedo, emergency operations manager for World Central Kitchen, a food relief nonprofit, echoed Burkholz’s sentiment.
“At first it was just an influx of people bringing anything and everything,” she said. “And now they’re really going to start focusing on, ‘You know what? What are the needs?’
Escobedo said the city’s shelters need more toiletries, including diapers, wipes, towels and hairbrushes.
Beware of scammers
At a news conference Saturday, California officials warned Los Angeles of a wave of scammers taking advantage of the crisis.
“To anyone who would take advantage of people for their greedy gain, who sees dollar signs, I have a message for you: You will be held accountable,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. “You will be prosecuted.”
Experts advise doing thorough research before opening your wallet.
“If they say they can do something that trusted organizations can’t do or won’t commit to, there may be a reason for that, and it’s not always that they are creative and ahead of the curve. ” McIlreavy said.
Escobedo suggested people donate directly to organizations or shelters. World Central Kitchen, for example, only accepts donations through its website.
“We do not accept donations in any other way or from any other source,” she said. “This way we should avoid all these problems.”
The following charities were examined by NBC News:
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
Ventura County Community Foundation
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
