Help hurricane victims: 7 steps to send money to those impacted

Check out our complete hurricane relief guide

Hurricanes can leave many people in urgent need of help. The best way to help hurricane victims is by donating to trusted organizations. During hurricanes, you can help families in other countries by sending money for emergency supplies, food and shelter. This step-by-step guide will show you how to send money securely and quickly to those in need. Every donation makes a difference!

Key takeaways

• Set a donation budget and decide whether to give a one-time amount or smaller recurring contributions for ongoing relief.
• Research reputable organizations and verify their transparency before sending money.
• Choose secure payment methods—such as credit cards, bank transfers, or mobile wallets—and double-check recipient details to avoid delays or fraud.
• Keep records for potential tax deductions when donating to recognized charities.
• Stay informed on the disaster and your chosen organization’s relief efforts and spread the word to encourage others to help.

1. Check your finances before donating

The first step is to decide on a budget and consider how your donation can help now and in the long run.

Create a budget

First, decide how much you can afford to donate. Whether you’re sending money directly to impacted friends or family, or donating to an organization, budgeting is key. Once you’ve decided how much to keep aside for the donation, there are several ways to send money.

Consider long-term impact

Consider how your money can be best used. Sometimes, smaller payments spread out are more helpful than sending a large amount of money. Selecting reliable ways for your receiver to get the money can help address their challenges quickly.

Step 2: Research reputable organizations

Donating through an organization? Take time to research so you know your money is being used responsibly and has the most impact.

Check online to find disaster relief donation opportunities

You can check out websites like Charity Navigator to find reliable organizations. Some organizations even accept money through secure methods like wire transfers, which may help you choose. Western Union can help you send a wire transfer online to these trusted organizations.

Look for specific disaster relief needs

Check out organizations helping with things like food, shelter, medical care, or fixing buildings. You can also choose to donate to a specific group, such as people affected by flooding or those whose homes were badly wind damaged.

Verify the organization’s transparency

Ensure the organization you’re donating to provides detailed information about how disaster relief donations are used. For example, how the funds are distributed – what percentage goes towards relief efforts versus administrative costs? Ask questions about specific aid – are they supplying food, medical supplies or shelter? Good organizations also share information about their local partners, government or international agencies and provide reports on how donations have helped.

Step 3: Choose a trusted payment method

Disaster relief organizations accept various payment methods to make donating easy and accessible.

Online donations

Use credit cards, debit cards or digital wallets to make secure online donations. When sending money via a mobile wallet, your support can reach victims faster than other methods.

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are a reliable way to make disaster relief donations. Many non-profits share their bank details for direct transfers with minimal fees. Simply check their website, use your online bank account, or visit your bank to send money. Always verify the recipient to avoid scams. This ensures your donation reaches those in need quickly and securely.

Mobile payments

Mobile payments make it easy to help hurricane victims. Donating through apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle (if available in your country) allows fast and safe transfers. Always verify all the details you’re entering before you confirm the payment.

Step 4: Provide correct information

Making sure your money gets to the right place is important, whether you’re sending money to your friends or family or directly to charitable organizations. A small mistake in the receiver’s or bank details can cause delays or even lost funds.

Personal details

When offering financial support to help hurricane victims, always provide correct personal details such as your name, address, and contact information. It will help ensure a smooth transfer process and help the charitable organization verify your details, if needed.

Most organizations will ask you to provide these details for security reasons and to prevent fraud. Before you make the transfer, double-check the details you’ve provided to avoid delays. You can follow up with the organization to check if your donation is received.

Donation amount

Clearly specify the amount you want to donate. This keeps things clear and simple whether you’re helping a friend, family member, or charity. It ensures transparency and avoid misunderstandings.

If donating to a charity, check if they have a minimum or recommended donation amount.  You can confirm with family or friends how much they need, so you can send the exact amount.

Selecting a payment method

Choose a secure way to send money, whether through a bank transfer, credit card, or money transfer service. Can’t send money to a bank account? Don’t worry, you can always consider alternative methods like cash pickup or mobile wallets.

During emergencies, speed matters. Choose reliable transfer services that offer fast delivery times and security features to protect your funds. Double-check recipient details before confirming payment.

Tax deductions

If you’re donating to a recognized charity organization, your contribution may be eligible for tax deductions. Check with the organization or a tax professional to see if your donation is eligible. Keep receipts or confirmation emails for your records, in case you need them during tax season.

Step 5: Setting up recurring donations

If you’re in the position to provide continued support, setting up recurring donations can make it easier to help hurricane victims.

Set up automatic payments

Make a bigger impact by setting up recurring donations to a trusted organization or sending directly to friends and family. Some donations can also be scheduled using our money order services.

Choose an amount

Decide how much you can consistently give to provide ongoing support. Setting a fixed amount helps charities plan relief efforts more effectively. Even small, regular contributions can make a big difference in helping communities recover and rebuild.

Step 6: Monitor the situation and your organization’s relief activities

To support hurricane victims, it’s important to stay informed and know where to look for information.

Follow trusted resources for updates

Stay updated on the disaster through government sources such as FEMA, NOAA, NWS and OCHA as well as trusted media sources like BBC News, CNN or The Weather Channel. It’s also important to track how your chosen organization is using donations to provide aid. During evolving situations, acting fast matters. Learn about the fastest ways to send money to ensure help reaches those in need quickly.

Ask questions

If you have any concerns about your disaster relief donations, contact the organization directly. Reputable charities are transparent about how they use funds and can provide updates on relief efforts. Asking questions ensures your donation is making a real impact.

Step 7: Spread the word

The more hands to contribute to disaster relief, the better. One of the biggest ways to help is to encourage others to do so, as well.

Encourage others to donate

Encourage others to give disaster relief donations by sharing your experience. Use social media to spread the word about trusted organizations and how donations help. A simple post or message can encourage more people to donate, making a bigger impact on those in need.

Spread awareness

If you’re supporting an organization, help spread the word about their hurricane relief efforts. Share their mission, updates, and success stories with friends, family, and on social media. Raising awareness encourages more people to donate or volunteer, increasing the impact on affected communities.

Become a volunteer

If you’re unable to donate money, you can still help hurricane victims by becoming a volunteer. Many organizations need extra hands for tasks like packing supplies, distributing food, or helping at shelters.

You can also help by organizing local fundraisers, spreading awareness, or offering skills like translation or medical aid. Sharing donation links or supporting online campaigns can also make a difference in spreading the word.

Conclusion

You can play a vital role in disaster relief efforts and make a real difference in the lives of those affected. Whether it’s through donating funds, volunteering your time, or simply spreading awareness, your support helps communities recover and rebuild. With Western Union, you can send donations quickly and securely to trusted organizations around the world through direct bank transfers, wallet payments and other convenient digital payment methods to ensure your money is delivered when it counts the most.