Webinar: COVID-19: Hear from local NGOs and nonprofits responding around the world

You're invited to join our next webinar:  

COVID-19: Hear from local NGOs and nonprofits responding around the world

Please register here: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_apVa5j7eRH-3vPF0tKf85A 

When:  Thursday, May 14 at 11 AM - 12 PM ET.

What:  Local NGOs and nonprofits are working on the front-lines of this global pandemic caring for the sick, protecting vulnerable populations, feeding those hit hard economically and/or staying at home, providing critical mental health and public education/awareness services, and more.

After previous major disasters, the entire world showered its generosity on a hard-hit place. However, because COVID-19 is impacting nearly every country, most donors are not focusing on organizations operating outside their community.

On Thursday, the following leaders will summarize how their organizations are responding, share top needs and challenges, present lessons learned, and discuss ways the public can help.

Who: Leaders of local NGOs/nonprofits on the front-lines, from around the world.

• Saadiyah Hassoon, President, Together to Protect Human & the Environment Association, Iraq

• Abid Lashari, CEO, National Disability And Development Forum, Pakistan

• Bhakta Singha, Executive Director, Community Development Forum Nepal

• Susan Van Ness, Chief of Programs, National Diaper Bank Network & Alliance For Period Supplies, USA

• Quazi Baby, Executive Director, Participatory Development Action Program (PDAP), Bangladesh

• Denise Santos, President, Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, USA

About Disaster Accountability Project and SmartResponse.org:

Started after Hurricane Katrina, the nonprofit Disaster Accountability Project saves lives and reduces suffering after disasters by maximizing the impact of preparedness, response and relief through citizen oversight and engagement, policy research and advocacy, and public education.

SmartResponse.org curates localized and data-informed "how to help" lists to help donors make more informed decisions about how to directly support organizations responding locally. Over 500 organizations are already registered on SmartResponse.org from over 49 countries and 22 U.S. states and territories. 

View the SmartResponse COVID-19 "how to help" list here:  www.smartresponse.org/covid19 

Disaster Accountability Project and SmartResponse are supported by the generous donations of individuals, private foundations and corporations.  Both are fully independent of the disaster relief community.

Please stay safe,

Ben Smilowitz
Founder and Executive Director

ben@disasteraccountability.org

10 years ago in Haiti

Ten years ago, over 200,000 people were killed after a major earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince.

The entire world responded with incredible generosity. Everyone donated.

DAP released reports after six and twelve months identifying which organizations raised funds and what they were doing. Five years later, after Nepal's major earthquake, DAP released another report with similar findings. Most donations were not reaching the ground.

An intervention was needed.

We created SmartResponse with the support of an amazing team of volunteer developers around the world to serve as a real-time reference for donors, incentivize transparency in the humanitarian sector, advance localization, and correct the unhealthy power dynamic when outside organizations raise more than local ones.

So far, nearly 480 organizations from over 46 countries and 20 U.S. states and territories have already self-registered including 16 connected to Haiti and most are local.

Haiti will face more hurricanes, floods, and even earthquakes. Now there is a better way for donors to help by directly supporting organizations that are both operating locally and willing to share information.

Please have a look at this list of organizations operating in Haiti and consider supporting them as we mark this 10th anniversary.

Thank you,

Ben Smilowitz

Executive Director

Disaster Accountability Project and SmartResponse.org

Note: We are preparing lists for the Taal Volcano in the Philippines and the fires in Australia. Also, dozens have already died from the frigid temperatures in Bangladesh and India. As SmartResponse continues to grow, we will have more complete lists for more disasters around the world.

About SmartResponse

Disaster Accountability Project launched SmartResponse to improve the effectiveness of disaster relief by helping donors connect directly to organizations operating locally. SmartResponse also incentivizes transparency and data-sharing across the humanitarian sector.

SmartResponse continues to grow with now nearly 480 organizations self-registered from over 46 countries and 20 U.S. states and territories. New organizations register and share data on the platform daily.

SmartResponse is not an intermediary and does not process donations on behalf of the organizations listed. Donation buttons lead to each organization's respective donation page and organizations handle/process their own donations.

SmartResponse is fully independent of the organizations listed and does not charge organizations for their listings nor take a percentage on donations made directly to groups. SmartResponse relies on donations to offer this valuable public service.

Make a tax-deductible donation today! 

http://www.disasteraccountability.org/donate

How to Help in Puerto Rico

According to USGS, one region of Puerto Rico experienced 188 earthquakes over magnitude 2.5 in the last 10 days. 15 quakes were over magnitude 4.0, six over magnitude 5.0 and one, this morning, was magnitude 6.4. Five of the quakes over magnitude 5.0 occurred in the last 24 hours alone.  (and that's just by the time I write this email) Impacted communities are still recovering from Hurricane Maria's direct hit just over two years ago.   Damage assessments are just beginning.  However, we know local organizations are already there and will continue to be there long after the news cameras head home. Consider supporting a local organization operating in the impacted area here: https://www.smartresponse.org/prquake    Please spread the word.  Local organizations often see only a small percentage of the funds donated -- and these organizations shared enough information with SmartResponse to get listed.  I hope they benefit from the generosity that follows these difficult times. In addition to supporting these organizations' community efforts, they should also be rewarded for their transparency and early participation in SmartResponse. Much of the information collected by SmartResponse is not available elsewhere.  About SmartResponse Disaster Accountability Project launched SmartResponse to improve the effectiveness of disaster relief by helping donors connect directly to organizations operating locally. SmartResponse also incentivizestransparency and data-sharing across the humanitarian sector. SmartResponse continues to grow with now over 470 organizations self-registered from over 45 countries and 20 U.S. states and territories. New organizations register and share data on the platform daily. SmartResponse is not an intermediary and does not process donations on behalf of the organizations listed. Donation buttons lead to each organization's respective donation page and organizations handle/process their own donations. SmartResponse is fully independent of the organizations listed and does not charge organizations for their listings nor take a percentage on donations made directly to groups. SmartResponse relies on donations to offer this valuable public service.   Make a tax-deductible donation to support DAP and SmartResponse today! http://www.disasteraccountability.org/donate