Our Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is helping those suffering in the midst of some of the worst disasters and crises around the world. Watch this video to learn about their incredible work!
Tag archives for Disaster
Bringing the Private Sector into Disaster Risk Reduction
Incorporating the private sector into the process of reducing disaster risks in hazard-prone communities is necessary in today’s world. Read more >>
Photo of the Week: Typhoon Relief in the Philippines
USAID responded to Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines and provided more than $4.5 million in assistance to help meet the most critical needs of those affected by the storm. Read more >>
Pounds of Prevention: Colombia
In this next installment in the Pounds of Prevention series, we travel to South America, to Colombia, a country with several active volcanoes that USAID and the U.S. Geological Survey help monitor. Read more >>
Hosting Support as Humanitarian Shelter Approach
(Excerpted from article in InterAction Monthly Developments, Jan/Feb 2012, pp. 17-18.) When disasters or crises strike and homes are lost, people don’t always wait for governments and international humanitarian agencies to lend a hand, but instead often rely on those close to them: family and friends. Hosting by family and friends is socially defined, self-selected, […]
Meeting Needs and Supporting Disaster Management in the Philippines
The people of the Philippines have been hit hard by Tropical Storm Washi (known locally as Sendong.) Heavy rains, storm surges, flash flooding, and landslides have rocked communities on the island of Mindanao, with 1,249 people reported dead as of December 27, nearly 55,000 still in evacuation centers, and hundreds of thousands affected. USAID responded […]
USAID Recognizes Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction
On October 17, 2011, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) recognized two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for excellence in disaster risk reduction programming. USAID/OFDA Director Mark Bartolini presented the organizations with commemorative plaques at the 2011 Annual OFDA NGO Partner Consultations. Dominic MacSorley accepted on behalf of Concern Worldwide (U.S.) for its program to […]
Smart Compassion: How Donating Cash Helps More People
When disaster strikes overseas, people who want to help may begin collecting items intended for use in relief operations. It is not unusual for community and civic groups to have collected thousands of pounds of material – typically used clothing, canned food and bottled water – realizing only afterward that they do not know to […]
PSAid Competition
When an international disaster strikes, we soon begin to hear stories of the devastation and the suffering of those affected. They have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes. The pictures we see are gut-wrenching, and we can’t help but think about how we can help. We have so much, and they have so little. The […]
How You Can Help Japan: Give Cash not Goods
If you’ve been following the aftermath of last week’s massive earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan you’re probably wondering how you can help. Millions are affected, recovery will be protracted and difficult. Besides the initial, tragic effects of the disaster, millions of people in Japan still have no running water or power. Lines spanning city […]
