Wildfires have decimated more than 37,000 acres of the Los Angeles metropolitan area in recent days, charring more than 12,000 structures, displacing more than 150,000 residents and leaving at least 13 people dead.
On Tuesday, as the fires began, the White House made federal disaster assistance available to the state of California to assist in the state’s recovery efforts. The disaster has also sparked an avalanche of donations from around the world.
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As the fires continue and Los Angeles looks toward eventual recovery, here are ways you can more effectively assist in the city’s recovery efforts.
Long-term donations
Patricia McIlreavy, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, emphasized that the Los Angeles community will need donations that last beyond the period immediately following the wildfires. He 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 got into that crisis, we understood much better that what everyone needed to get through Covid was very different,” he said. “For some people, it was childcare. For others, it was senior care. For some, their children were falling behind in school. It varied in many ways, which we all need to go further.”
McIlreavy encouraged donations to organizations focused on preventing the Los Angeles community from being left behind due to devastation, in addition to those providing immediate life-saving resources.
“What is 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 access to a kitchen, access to being able to prepare your own food, feed your children food, and in the way and at the time you choose, that is a matter of dignity, it is a matter of agency.”
Be specific with your donation
Brea Burkholz, spokesperson for Direct Relief, a California-based nonprofit that provides medical resources for disaster recovery, warned against bringing large bags of miscellaneous items directly to shelters. While doing so is a well-intentioned move, Burkholz said, Los Angeles shelters often lack the capacity to handle the sudden influx of donations.
“A lot of times the system can be overwhelmed with donations of clothing and material things because they’re not set up and they don’t have the space to receive all of that,” she said.
Burkholz suggested people volunteer their time or help specific families in need of specific items or housing.
“If you can make a direct connection with a family in need, that’s a much better approach, because you know exactly who it’s going to and there’s a place for it,” he said. “Many of these people who have been displaced do not have a space. “They don’t have a home.”
Wendy Escobedo, emergency operations manager for the food relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen, echoed Burkholz’s sentiment.
“At first, it was just an influx of people bringing everything,” he said. “And now they’re going to start really focusing on, ‘You know what? What are the needs?’”
Escobedo said the city’s shelters need more toiletries, including diapers, wipes, towels and hair brushes.
Beware of scammers
At a news conference Saturday, California officials warned Los Angeles about a surge of scammers taking advantage of the crisis.
“To anyone who takes advantage of people for greedy profit, who sees dollar signs, I have a message for you: you will be held accountable,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “He 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 don’t want to commit to, there may be a reason for that, and it’s not always because 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,” he said. “That way, we should avoid any of those problems.”
NBC News has examined the following charities:
California Community Foundation
California Firefighters Foundation
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
Pasadena Humane Society
Ventura County Community Foundation
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
Disaster Philanthropy Center
Direct relief
World Central Kitchen
