From the war in Ukraine to earthquakes in Haiti and local crises like tornadoes in Kentucky, fires in Maui, or the recent shooting in Kansas City, NCF givers have repeatedly risen to the challenge to give generously when crises occur.
And for good reason. There is a sacred solidarity and a beautiful outpouring of hope that happens when we connect as a generous community in the face of tragedy. To make sure you’re ready to respond for whatever comes next, consider these ways to give more effectively in times of tragedy, war, or disaster – from the moment they happen to the years that follow.
1. Touch base with your NCF team
With more than 30 offices across the country, NCF has a nationwide network of team members who are often at the center of the generous communities in their area. With connections to local and international charities, churches, and other generous givers, your NCF team is a good place to start when you want to collaborate with others and mobilize resources quickly. If the disaster is close to home, consider these personal ways to provide relief: Give blood, organize a prayer vigil, help mobilize your church as crisis relief center, and offer food and support to volunteers and first responders.
2. Prepare the way with prayer
As part of a body of believers united through NCF, you can join forces with other givers in your area or with friends and family to pray for efforts to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those affected by the crisis and for the people preparing to minister and volunteer. For some examples, take a look at these hopeful prayers for restoration from natural disasters or these specific prayer requests from NCF Carolinas when they faced a hurricane in 2018.
3. Get ready with a list of go-tos
In times of crisis, it’s important to look for organizations in close proximity to boots on the ground that empower and listen well to locals. It can help if you already know some you can trust. Choose disaster-response charities that have a standard operating procedure ready for various kinds of disasters before they happen and a well-trained disaster assistance response team. (Some charities call this a “DART”). Doing a bit of charity research now and setting aside money in your Giving Fund for disaster relief can help you give more wisely, quickly, and generously when the time comes.
4. Value the volunteers
Support volunteers on the frontlines through organizations like Hope Force International, a nonprofit that trains volunteers in advance, so they are prepared and allowed to respond, often in restricted areas, when disaster hits. All Hands and Hearts is community-led and volunteer-powered organization that sends trained disaster responders to works with volunteers and communities to respond to disasters in their own areas. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) trains volunteers in the U.S. and around the world, so they can call on responders in any area when disaster hits, arriving early and staying long-term for response and rebuilding.
5. Remember the refugees (especially women and children)
In 2023, it was estimated that more than 114 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced from their homes, fleeing violence, war, and starvation. And 41 percent of all displaced people are children. Refugee women and girls face specific challenges, including family separation, psychosocial trauma, pregnancy complications, as well as risk of exploitation and gender-based violence. You can research charities supporting refugees in your area or globally with your Giving Fund. And it’s always a good idea to find out if the organizations you choose are addressing short- and long-term needs of refugees.
6. Sow into all the stages
Brian Fikkert, author of the bestselling book, When Helping Hurts, outlines a healthy framework for crisis giving in three stages: Relief, rehabilitation, and development. For another clear perspective on the phases of relief work after war or disaster, listen to NCF’s HopeCast with Simon Barrington, who served as executive director of Samaritan’s Purse International for 13 years. To ensure your giving doesn’t end up creating harmful dependency or stifling economic growth, ask the charities you donate to about their short-term and long-term plans. Then, consider setting up recurring grants.
7. Remember
Remember that those who mourn – the poor, the widow, the refugee, those who don’t have enough to eat – all have a special place in God’s heart. Remember to pray for them and listen to how God is leading you to help your church or other organizations that care for them. But the key is, “Don’t forget!” Recovering from war and disaster can be a very long process.
Photo: World Vision
