How to Help the Italian Earthquake Victims

Aid Organizations Begin Relief Efforts in L'Aquila Quake Zone

Apr 7, 2009

Many historic structures were decimated by Monday's 6.3-magnitude earthquake, but the loss of tourist sites pales in comparison to the loss of human life in the region.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi initially expressed confidence that his government would be able to bear the cost of relief efforts following the earthquake, but as the extent of the devastation becomes clearer, it’s also clear that Italy is going to need some outside help. A number of international relief organizations are already providing aid and there are plenty of ways you can get involved:

Donate to Unicef

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) provides assistance to children affected by natural disasters. The organization provides essential services like food, water, shelter, and health care and also helps reunite children with their parents. UNICEF also ensures that orphaned children receive necessary care.

It’s unclear to what extent UNICEF will be needed in Italy. At last report, 207 people were confirmed killed by the earthquake and about 1,000 injured. Berlusconi said Tuesday that 100 of the injured were critically wounded. Around 17,000 people have been left homeless by the quake.

Those numbers could easily go higher, especially in the wake of Tuesday's strong aftershock, which again caused buildings in the area to crumble. Registering 5.5 on the Richter scale, the tremor was felt as far away as Rome. More potentially dangerous aftershocks could follow.

Help Operation Blessing International

One of the largest charitable organizations in the U.S., Operation Blessing International (OBI) released a press release Monday announcing that its director of international disaster relief, David Darg, was on his way to Italy to assist in recovery and relief efforts. OBI reported that one of his first priorities will be setting up diesel-powered electricity generators to provide clean drinking water to the hardest hit areas.

Operation Blessing International has a long track record of providing assistance during natural disasters. Founded in 1978, the organization has provided material aid valued at $1.7 billion over the past 30 years to people in more than 100 countries and all 50 states. Last year, OBI provided assistance following 33 disasters in 16 countries, including a major earthquake in China.

Give to GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving is a non-profit foundation that does not provide direct assistance during disasters, but rather funnels money to appropriate agencies. It was founded by former World Bank executives Mari Kuraishi and Dennis Whittle. GlobalGiving is a highly Internet-driven enterprise, offering contributors easy ways to post links on Facebook and other social networking sites. The organization promises contributors that 85-90 percent of their donation will be “on the ground” within 60 days.

The copyright of the article How to Help the Italian Earthquake Victims in Italy Travel is owned by Dennis D. Jacobs. Permission to republish How to Help the Italian Earthquake Victims in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.