Welcome to the Disaster Relief Database!
What is this?
The Disaster Relief Database an online app which helps people navigate a large database of information about organizations (and some indivisuals) which are helping improve the lives of beings around the world. All of the data is human generated. We hear of interesting groups, and then do research and post the data about them in this database.
In particular, please see the "Campaigns" of organizations addressing Natural Disasters and On-going Causes that have been tracked in this database.
How did you find the information that you have posted in this database?
We look up info about interesting organizations we find either in the news, or through word-of-mouth, etc. Many of the organizations came from other organizations who say to us, "gosh, if you like what we're doing, you might be interested in this other group"
When we look at the org and like what they appear to be doing, then we list the info for all to use. We try to "tag" as many items to that facility database record as we can so you can find orgs that have supplies, or expertise, or services.
How do we know the information is worth looking at?
We are not perfect. So please do your own homework before believing anything. All we aim to do is to share the info that we find. You can decide if it's worht looking at. This database is just information that we have found/gathered. IF we have more details, we list them on the database record, about the facility/site/people so you can know what we know. IF you believe anything is missing or incorrect please let us know!
How do we use the app?
The links above to the left (at the top of the page) are to help you find the data. Note that "Campaigns" are groups of facilities/orgs that we believe are working on a specific Natural Disaster or an On-going Cause.
On each page of lists, you can sort the columns, move columns around and filter the data so that as you move through the app, you can limit the data. So in other words, if you're focused on a specific region, you can sort the data and when you move around the app to look at specific facility records, or look for specific items, that filter/sort stays with you until you hit "reset".
About/History
This database was created by a few people to help communities "self-organize". It was created after Hurricane Katrina to help organize what site needed what item, but has lived on to help disasters of all types. Two years after Hurricane Katrina, the group decided that poverty, and environmental destruction were disasters and so we kept on keeping on...
How do I become a user of this database?
Believe it or not, you are already a user, because anyone can use the database! Most of the data can be seen/shared without a log in. We don't require passwords. BUT if you want to add an organization to the database on your own, edit any data, or get data in Excel or PDF, you'll need to register and/or gain special access.
* SMALL PRINT *
Privacy Policy
Unless the information is public already (like on your website, or listed in a public news space) or you tell us that it's OK to put it online in a public forum by putting it there yourself or asking us to, WE DO NOT SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH ANYONE outside our small network of approved disaster workers!!!
Private Contact and Location Information Sharing Policy: We have a password protected place in each "facility record" where you can store your cell phone, and private/personal location/contact info, and only those that you have given your access information to (and a few core Citizen Action Team disaster relief operations people can see your info. This small group of people will not share your contact/private information without checking with you first. It's only there for "internal purposes" only, so that we can contact you if there is a question about your listing, or if there's a disaster relief emergency in your region/area-of-expertise.
Email policy
The only bulk email we send out from "the database" is for database administrative purposes. Historically, that's been less than once a quarter. If we notice that you've registered a need for something that has come available, we may email you to let you know, or if you have something that is needed by someone else. In the future, we plan to have an optional email notification of matches, where you will be able to "opt-in" for these types of mailings. Currently, however, the only email you'll get from "the database" is your welcome email and an occasional administrative announcement.
* DATABASE DISCLAIMER *
Warning! This database is meant to provide a "virtual public space" to post information about supplies and needs. We do not thoroughly "vet" these organizations or people listed. We do some research and if we have extra info, like that the group, in our opinion, has a special degree of validity, we say so in the facility record notes.
Donors and/or sites/organizations/people that want to give/share should NOT assume that just because someone lists a "need" in this database or has found you from this database that they have any formal relationship with Citizen Action Team, or that this "need" actually exists. In other words, do not assume that people listing needs in this database actually need anything. You need to do the screening yourself. If you can not do the screening, please contact us and we will suggest ways that you can safely donate to and/or share with.
This tool is a tool like the internet or the newspaper. You need to screen people just like you would if they came to you from any public source of information; like they are strangers that have come in off the street.
For people that need help; that are listing "needs", just because something is listed in this database as "available", do not assume that it is available to *anyone who calls.* These items may, by the time you call, already be allocated to someone else. Do not assume that listing needs is like ordering from a catalogue.
By listing needed items, you are helping the world define the need in the affected areas. By listing needed items, it helps you find sites in your region that may be able to help you by using the "Show Need Matches" function.
DEFINITION OF "AVAILABLE"
If an item is listed as "available," it means that the item was available at the time of posting because either the org's website said it was available or we know from our contacts that it was available. It also means that it may be "available" only to people/groups that "qualify." If you need an item listed as "available", contact the organization (click on the organization's name for contact info) and ask about the status of the item that is listed as "available". We recommend that you be nice to people and do not assume that you are entitled to any of the items.
The sites that list things as "available" tend to be generous people that are doing the best they can do satisfy the needs of an overwhelming number of people.
We are all exasperated with the lack of resources and the lack of correct information, and it doesn't help to be angry if the item is no longer available. Explain your situation and see if you can help and what the process is for applying for help. We hope that this tool at least gets you closer to getting helped.
INFORMATION AS "INDICATORS" OF MISSION
You may note that a lot of the information in our database is "old". We keep the old information because we have found that people who "distribute water" (or food or whatever) after one natural disaster, they do it again after the next natural disaster. In other words, in our experience, orgs that list "available" items or services, often get those items again. And if they do not provide a "service" now (as in "this very day"), they may in the future because they have in the past.
History is a great indicator of the future.
So if they are in your geographic area, it's probably a good idea to get to know one another. "Availabilities" and "needs" are "indicators" of what the intent of an organization is, and can help you find people that support the kind of work that you do.
QUALIFYING FOR HELP
The database is designed to help you find sites in your region that are set up to help people of need. When you find them, you may have to go through their application process and be patient if you want help. Many orgs serve walk-ins, and have no application process.
We are all doing the best that we can. The database, because of the nature of a tool that sites can only update so often, the information can not be perfect. Please forgive us for not being perfect. We are trying to do the best we can by making information about donated supplies available to the public. We hope that this helps at least a little bit...
For relief groups that want "available" supplies, be prepare to give references and show evidence of the work that you are doing. Please be aware that some sites are geared toward serving only certain regions and some sites are focused only on rebuilding.
Bottom line
don't believe anything online. People make errors and/or post things without knowing what's really true. This listing service is no better than the newspaper, Craig's List, blogs, etc. You must check for yourself. DO NOT believe that just because groups are listed in this database that they are totally legit. YOU MUST DO YOUR OWN "VETTING" of the groups. Most have websites which link to their 501(c)3 tax numbers and other reference information. Or you can call us for our "INFORMAL OPINIONS" if we have any. Better yet, use your intuition! Call the group and get to know them!
The purpose of this site is to be inclusive. Many sites like this create hurdles for relief groups to fall over. We are part of a solidarity network of cooperators with the aim to allow ALL well meaning groups to participate.
For the world to be able to utilize large numbers of volunteers in a crisis, we MUST be inclusive. We MUST have faith that there will only be a very small number of cases of fraud. To this date October 2026, of all of the hundreds of thousands of visitors and thousands of listings since September of 2005, we've only had two reports of fraud by groups posted on this site. One turned out to be totally unfounded. Information about the other one can be provided if you call us. Click the link above for more info about fraud reporting.