The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania has developed online guidance to assist donors wishing to help the victims of the earthquake in Nepal. 

“Nepal Earthquake: How Can I Help?” connects donors with information about the phases of disaster relief, what is needed right now and the most effective ways to assist survivors after a natural disaster. 

The Center’s tips are designed to help donors who want to know how their contribution can make the biggest difference in the lives of others and include resisting the temptation to rush to donate items. 

“While donors may feel the need to give items like food, clothing or blankets or to fly to Nepal to volunteer, such well-intentioned actions can do more harm than good right now,” said Katherina Rosqueta, the founding executive director at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy. “With one international airport, many roads impassable and communications systems unreliable, it is essential that donors not complicate an already challenging situation where tons of available supplies are still not yet getting to the people who need them.” 

The Center recommends sending money instead. 

For donors who want to give to local organizations doing effective emergency-relief work on the ground, it can be challenging to identify those best-positioned to do so.  That’s where the Center’s blog posts can help, whether a donor has $10 or $10,000 to give. 

The Center has a history of providing independent guidance to donors who are interested in helping immediately after a natural disaster. They’ve previously posted blogs about high-impact charitable giving in post-disaster emergency relief situations such as the typhoon in the Philippines, tornadoes in Oklahoma, Hurricane Sandy and the earthquake in Haiti. 

“Nepal Earthquake: How Can I Help?” is available here. 

The Center for High Impact Philanthropy is a multi-disciplinary non-profit organization established by alumni of Penn’s Wharton School and is housed at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice. It provides independent analysis and decision-making tools to ensure that philanthropic funds have the greatest possible impact.