Donations For Gustav Victims Made Easy 

Release Date: September 2, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-179

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging people who want to help hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast to make financial donations through voluntary organizations that are active in the ongoing disaster operations.

"Americans across the country want to offer aid to those displaced from their homes," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison.  "There are many ways to help but we are asking that, until the affected areas are safe to go back into, those Americans who want to help do so through donations to the many non-profit organizations that are serving the citizens impacted by Hurricane Gustav."

Those who wish to provide assistance to support disaster relief efforts are encouraged to contact the voluntary agency of their choice that they may normally contribute to in times of disaster.  For those who don't know who to reach, there is an easy way to provide financial support, donate time and skills or donate needed products. The National Donations Management Network is a Web-based system where individuals and the private sector can offer their support online to the voluntary organizations that are actively engaged in the ongoing disaster. 

FEMA works in partnership with the affected states, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD),  the Aidmatrix Foundation and the private sector to direct donation offers to voluntary agencies in need as they support the thousands of displaced people.  FEMA and Aidmatrix entered into a cooperative agreement, in 2006, to develop this donations management network.  The Aidmatrix Foundation offers an online way to connect private sector or individuals wanting to offer support to the leading organizations in humanitarian relief. 

The National Donations Management Network is located at www.fema.gov/donations.  Visitors to this site have the option to direct their donation to national level voluntary agencies or directly to the affected Gulf Coast states who are managing their own state aid portals.         

For information on the voluntary agencies that play a vital role in disaster recovery, visit the NVOAD site at www.NVOAD.org.

For more information on the overall response to Hurricane Gustav, visit www.fema.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-Sep-2008 18:07:54