Casino Pier, Seaside Heights, N.J. by Michael Reynolds

As you well know, Hurricane Sandy has made historic impact. Millions are without power. Lives have been lost. Storm surges have broken records. And those who focus on helping disaster-affected communities have kicked into high gear.

Usually, disasters bring out the best in people. Donations to charities surge as television coverage increases. We are heartened by stories of personal courage and generosity. Government agencies work closely with non-profit organizations, private philanthropy, and corporations.

Yet we know from experience that both coordination and effective spending of donor dollars is a particular challenge, not just while the disaster is underway, but also in the long-term, as rebuilding begins.

As families and communities begin to clean up and consider how long their power will be out, private philanthropists turn their attention to the question, "How can I help?"

We believe one of the most important answers is to consider ways to strengthen community resilience. As such, we offer a handful of suggestions that go beyond meeting immediate needs:

• Recognize that there are places private philanthropy can help that government agencies might not. During a recent CDP teleconference on Hurricane Sandy, Irwin Redlener, MD, director of Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, mentioned New York University's Langone Medical Center, which had to evacuate in the midst of the storm when backup generators failed-including medical personnel traversing slippery flights of steps in dark stairwells and putting lives at risk. It should be noted that is not the first time a hospital has had to be evacuated during a hurricane; Katrina too left several hospitals in dire straits. The situation could offer a prime opportunity for funding academic research on best practices in hospital evacuation protocol. Why, he asked, did the backup generators fail? Why did the hospital not evacuate sooner? Careful analysis now can make all the difference in preparation for the future.     
• Those not in the particular geographic area affected by the storm might connect on a different level. Look for ways to tie disaster funding into existing mission, and to leverage in-house expertise. In terms of Sandy, for example, there are opportunities to support vulnerable populations such as the elderly and infirm, as well as those who don't speak English and may have greater needs when it comes to recovery. Those interested in health care may support recovery efforts for damaged medical infrastructure-but also the nonprofits that will step up to meet physical and psychological needs while infrastructure is being repaired. Consider mental health support for those still coping with losses from Hurricane Irene in 2011, or even those impacted by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, now seeing the memorial flooded by Sandy's waters.  
• Even while focusing on immediate needs, remember that it will take some time for the full range of needs to emerge. Power loss, transportation outages, and flood-damaged homes may be top of mind, but we have yet to truly understand the impact that this storm has had on people's lives. Be patient in planning for disaster funding. Recovery will take a long time, and funding will be needed throughout.
• Recognize that the storm may expose needs not typically seen on this scale in the United States-and this will open up possibilities for future disaster planning. Plans could be developed for the more effective distribution of food during massive power outages. In addition, as sewage and standing water covers portions of communities, the risks of disease and environmental damage increase.    
• Support the sharing of best practices. Florida, for example, has developed stringent building codes to mitigate destruction from hurricanes. Storms are increasing in intensity due to climate change, and the hurricane threat zone also is expanding. Interested donors could help support the transfer of expertise from one region to another before the next disaster occurs. Another area for best practices research and sharing: efforts to coordinate volunteers as well as the distribution of supplies, since the storm covered such a large geographic area.   
• Be willing to consider long-term, multi-year commitments. Remember that New Orleans still hasn't fully recovered from Hurricane Katrina seven years ago. New York still hasn't fully rebuilt from damage sustained on Sept. 11, 2001.   
• Remember that Sandy's effects were felt well beyond U.S. borders. Still crippled by the 2010 earthquake and affected by Hurricane Isaac just a few months ago, Haiti saw 52 deaths related to Sandy and now faces a potential cholera epidemic and food shortages.    
• Connect with other funders across the affected region and the nation. Collaborative philanthropic response to the disaster leverages combined expertise and maximizes the value of the human, financial, and technical resources donated. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy works closely with community foundations, regional associations, funders, and responding NGOs to share trustworthy information and analysis. 

Get Involved Now

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy stands ready to assist interested donors in a variety of ways. First, we are actively tracking Hurricane Sandy at our website. The Hurricane Sandy hub posted there includes regular updates on the situation, as well as donor and NGO response.

In addition, the Center has established the CDP Hurricane Sandy Disaster Fund focused on long-term recovery. To learn more click here. Finally, strategic advice/assistance is also available at the CDP hotline: (206) 972-0187.