DONARE presents an overview of some of the best and fastest ways to help. Your donations go directly to relief organizations delivering life-saving aid at the front lines of the world’s most severe crises. With your help, humanitarian organizations can reach the most vulnerable people with food, clean water, medicine, shelter and much more when they need it urgently.
From conflict and displacement to natural disasters and epidemics, the need for humanitarian assistance has never been greater. Everyone possesses the power to make a difference in the lives of those affected by these crises. In a world where war and conflict, displacement, inequality, climate change and other natural disasters continue to severely disrupt lives, humanitarian efforts provide hope and relief to those most in need. Donating to humanitarian causes is one of the most impactful ways individuals can contribute to the well-being of others and drive positive change.
Australia is home to several humanitarian organizations that provide life-saving assistance on the frontlines of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. DONARE has selected thirteen of the largest and most influential non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or aid networks. In addition to these prominent humanitarian organizations, there are many other well-respected charities, relief organizations and aid agencies in Australia that work both locally and internationally. Australians are known as generous donors to international relief efforts and charitable causes.
Numerous aid agencies around the world provide urgently needed humanitarian support internationally. These humanitarian organizations respond to wars, conflicts, natural disasters and complex emergencies by providing food, water, shelter, medical care and other life-saving aid. In the DONARE Directory of Humanitarian Aid Agencies, you will find brief descriptions of well-known and influential international UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and Red Cross-affiliated organizations that respond to humanitarian crises worldwide and whose work you can support with a donation.
The United States is home to a large number of humanitarian organizations that work internationally to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance overseas. These aid agencies respond to natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies, providing food, water, shelter, health care, and other critical support. DONARE has selected 27 well-known and influential humanitarian organizations based in the United States that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. The nonprofits on this list have a significant impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide.
The United Kingdom offers a diverse landscape of humanitarian organizations, and is home to numerous charities that work on emergency response, poverty, health, education, human rights, and a wide range of other issues. DONARE has selected 25 well-known and influential British humanitarian organizations that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. These charities have a substantial impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Canada is home to numerous humanitarian organizations that focus on a diverse range of issues, including but not limited to poverty, health, education, human rights, and emergency response. DONARE has selected 18 prominent Canadian humanitarian organizations that respond to humanitarian crises around the world. The nonprofits on this list have a significant impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide. There are many more Canadian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities and aid groups working both domestically and internationally to address a wide range of challenges.
The climate crisis - one of the greatest challenges of our time - is already having a devastating impact on people and ecosystems and fueling hunger and conflict in the world's worst crisis hotspots. The effects of climate change will intensify in the coming years, leading to a further increase in humanitarian emergencies.
The world is currently witnessing an unprecedented number of humanitarian crises, with 362 million of people around the globe in dire need of immediate assistance. From conflict and displacement to natural disasters and epidemics, the need for humanitarian aid has never been greater. Everyone possesses the power to make a difference in the lives of those affected by these crises.
Vulnerable groups in humanitarian crises may include women and girls, children, refugees and displaced persons, LGBTI people, elderly people, people with disabilities, people with acute or chronic diseases, religious or ethnic minorities, and indigenous peoples. These populations may face additional risks and challenges during crisis situations, and may require targeted assistance and support to address their specific needs. Humanitarian emergencies can exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities of these groups.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) as "a United Nations success story." I couldn't agree more. Since its creation seventeen years ago, the Fund has proven to be one of the fastest and most effective ways to finance global humanitarian action. It would be very welcome if more people were aware of the Fund and would donate to CERF. The Emergency Response Fund finances humanitarian aid that goes where it is needed most urgently.
Finding your way among thousands of organizations seeking your donations is not always easy. How do you recognize a reputable donation organization? DONARE has compiled some information on what to look for to distinguish reputable charities from less trustworthy fundraisers. First of all, the humanitarian organizations selected on the website are all considered reputable and trustworthy. If there is reasonable doubt about this, the humanitarian organizations will no longer be featured, their fundraising will no longer be supported.
Human rights and humanitarian aid are closely intertwined. In humanitarian crises around the world the most basic human rights are threatened: the right to live, the right to health. More often than not human rights violations are the cause of a crisis or at the center of it. Humanitarian organizations also must respect the rights of people in need and must pay attention to them in the provision of emergency relief.
Faith-based organizations, particularly Christian charities, play a significant role in providing humanitarian assistance around the world. If you prefer donating to a faith-based organization as opposed to a secular humanitarian organization, DONARE has selected thirteen charity organizations and one alliance that deliver emergency humanitarian aid needed in crises worldwide.
Many people find it preferable to donate for a specific purpose. They want to be sure that their donation will reach those in need and will be used for a specific mission. The designation of a donation purpose is experienced as concrete and binding. Behind the motivation, there is sometimes also a feeling of mistrust toward an aid organization.
Tired of donating? No money to give? Several humanitarian aid organizations allow you to set up and run your own fundraiser for a specific occasion or on a topic of your own choosing. A distinction must be made between traditional fundraising campaigns, for example as part of an event, and online fundraising campaigns. Many non-governmental organizations offer both.
Medical humanitarian assistance and support for health services are urgently needed in crises around the world. A UN agency and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) specialize in providing health care in humanitarian crises or in the urgent delivery of medicines to people affected by conflicts and disasters.
Do you want to make a direct connection with a country and a young person? Individual charities facilitate child sponsorship around the world. Child sponsorships are programs that match children in need and suffering with sponsors around the world. However, child sponsorships do not usually count as emergency aid and are not offered so much for countries with an acute emergency situation, but are more a form of cooperation for sustainable development.
Global hunger levels remain alarmingly high. As of October 2024, at least 25 million people are on the brink of famine. The world produces more than enough food to feed the global population, but up to ten percent of the people around the globe still go hungry. Between 713 and 757 million people faced hunger in 2023; some 282 million people around the world were acutely food insecure and in need of urgent assistance.
It depends on the organization, how much of your contribution goes into field and programme work as opposed to administrative and fundraising expenses. Here are some examples that may influence your decision on which organisation to donate to. Be aware the figures might be not fully comparable.
The number of forcibly displaced people continues to rise. As of October 2024, more than 123 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events that seriously disrupted public order. At the end of 2023, more than 117 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide. Some 68 million were uprooted from their homes by conflict and remain displaced within their own countries as internally displaced persons (IDPs). Another 38 million were refugees, while tens of millions more were asylum-seekers, returnees or stateless people.
Millions of children are threatened by humanitarian crises around the world. Many are at the center of wars, armed conflicts, persecution, natural disasters, and other complex crises. Children pay a high price for humanitarian crises. They have often experienced or witnessed acts of violence and are at risk of neglect, violence, abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, or military recruitment. Children's rights are under threat all over the world.
