INDIANA— The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages all those who wish to donate to relief efforts for recent hurricanes through coordinating agencies and not self-deployment 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 used immediately. Visit the FEMA Volunteer and Donate page for a list of reputable organizations to which you can direct donations.
Volunteers are also needed, but they must be coordinated through an organization currently working on the disaster. These agencies are trained and experienced in receiving, sorting, and delivering the goods many states across the country have collected on 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
Hoosiers always stand ready to step up and help when Americans, near or far, need it the most. Your help is required through cash donations or a nationally coordinated volunteer response for personnel and supplies.
