Over the past few days, wildfires have destroyed over 37,000 acres of the Los Angeles metropolitan region, burning over 12,000 buildings, forcing over 150,000 people to relocate, and killing at least 16 people.
In order to support California’s recovery efforts, the White House made federal disaster funding available to the state on Tuesday, the day the fires first broke out. Worldwide donations have also poured in as a result of the tragedy.
Stay tuned for real-time updates.
Here are the best ways you can support Los Angeles’ recovery efforts as the fires continue to burn and the city prepares for a potential recovery.
Long-term giving
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s president and CEO, Patricia McIlreavy, emphasized that the Los Angeles community will require gifts that go beyond the immediate aftermath of the disasters. She made a comparison between the Covid-19 pandemic and disaster relief.
Back in the day, people would have argued that all we needed was a vaccine and some protective clothing. However, as the situation dragged on, we saw that everyone’s needs for moving on from COVID-19 were very diverse, she said. It served as childcare for some. It was elder care for others. For some, their kids were lagging behind in school, you know. There were a lot of different aspects that we all needed to sort of go past.
In addition to those offering immediate, lifesaving services, McIlreavy urged donations to groups that work to keep the Los Angeles community from falling behind as a result of the destruction.
What’s the difference between having your own kitchen and pantry and having a warm meal? Warm food is best. After a calamity strikes your family, it’s great to be served a hot supper. However, having access to a kitchen, the ability to cook for yourself, and the ability to feed your kids at any time and in any manner you choose is about agency and dignity.
Be specific with your donation
Speaking on behalf of Direct Relief, a nonprofit organization based in California that offers medical assistance for disaster recovery, Brea Burkholz advised against delivering bulky bags of random objects straight to shelters. Although this is done with good intentions, Burkholz noted that Los Angeles shelters frequently aren’t able to manage the unexpected surge of donations.
Because they’re not set up and don’t have the space to handle everything, the system frequently becomes overloaded with donations of clothing and other material items, she added.
Instead, Burkholz advised people to donate their time or help certain families who require certain supplies or shelter.
“It’s a much better approach if you can connect directly with a family that is in need because you know exactly who it’s going to and there’s a place for it,” she added. Many of these displaced individuals lack a place to call home. They have nowhere to live.
Burkholz’s perspective was shared by Wendy Escobedo, emergency operations manager of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides food assistance.
She claimed that at first there was just a flood of people carrying everything. They will now begin to concentrate on, you know what? What is required?
More items, including as diapers, wipes, towels, and hairbrushes, are needed at the city’s shelters, according to Escobedo.
Beware of scammers
California officials alerted Los Angeles to an increase in scammers exploiting the situation during a press conference on Saturday.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “I have a message for anyone who would take advantage of people for their greedy gain, who see dollar signs: You will be held responsible.” You’ll face legal action.
Before opening your wallet, experts advise conducting extensive study.
According to McIlreavy, there may be a reason why they claim to be able to accomplish something that reputable firms are unable or unwilling to undertake, and it’s not always that they’re innovative and forward-thinking.
Escobedo advised individuals to make direct donations to charities or shelters. For instance, World Central Kitchen exclusively takes donations via its website.
She stated that we are not taking donations from any other sources or in any other manner. In this manner, we ought to stay clear of all those problems.
NBC News has evaluated the charity listed below:
Community Foundation of California
The California Fire Foundation
Fire Department Foundation of Los Angeles
The Humane Society of Pasadena
Community Foundation of Ventura County
Greater Los Angeles American Red Cross
The Center for Disaster Charity
Direct Assistance
Central Kitchen of the World