Supporting humanitarian missions. We know how to do it!
Humanitarian missions can be supported in several ways, for example by: volunteering, responding to disasters on the ground or making even a small financial contribution towards the purchase of a helicopter or a drone. Humanitarian organisations can also be supported at a special time of the year, and not just at Christmas. During the PIT return period, you can donate 1% of your tax to them.
Superhero needed now
Volunteering is the most immediate form of support, but also the most demanding. It brings benefits to both sides. On missions you improve your communication skills or language competences. You also travel, get to know the world, gain amazing experience, and develop your talents. But most importantly - you change the world and see specific effects of your actions. A volunteer directly supports those most in need, even if this work is limited to seemingly simple activities such as handing out water bottles or painting the walls of a newly built school. Of course, humanitarian missions also require people with specialist knowledge or skills - educators, engineers, or programmers who in 2010 in Haiti during the mission of Help.NGO Foundation (formerly known as DIRT) created a mobile application. There was no emergency number in Haiti at the time and no ambulances. That app allowed injured people to send text messages asking for help. It is important to bear in mind that humanitarian aid is provided across a number of areas. These might include education, assistance to refugees, fighting disease, medical assistance or ensuring access to water, food, shelter, and infrastructure. Therefore, you can get involved in fields where you can best use your knowledge and competences. In addition, you can support organisations working on humanitarian missions without leaving home. Many foundations and associations are looking for graphic designers, translators, or fundraisers, or specialists whose job or task is to seek financial support. Just check if the organisation you want to volunteer with is based where you live or if it is possible to work remotely. As you can see - there are many possibilities.
Make your contribution
Making a donation is one of the easiest ways to support a humanitarian mission. Some organisations ask for help in the form of in-kind donations. These are usually medical dressings, syringes, glasses, footwear and clothing, books, or computer equipment. Usually, however, foundations and associations dealing with humanitarian aid ask for financial support so they can finance large investments. An example would be Help.NGOs intervention 10 years ago in Japan in the wake of the earthquake that caused a massive tsunami leading to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Thanks to donors, the Help.NGO Foundation purchased radiation monitoring equipment and then took measurements of radiation saturation. The collected results were shared with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Thanks to the information gathered, the exclusion zone was extended and areas with higher radiation levels were evacuated. Tens of thousands of lives were saved. Therefore, before donating, it is advisable to find out about the activities of the NGO, the missions it has carried out and is currently carrying out, and what the funds will be used for. When it comes to methods of donating, bank transfers are of course the simplest. However, there are more creative ways that can increase outreach and get others involved, such as online birthday collections.
Donate 1% of your tax
Every year in the accounting period in Poland there is an opportunity to transfer 1% of your tax to a selected public benefit organisation. Although this amount doesn’t seem too big it can have a tremendous impact. Remember that the more people who decide to donate as part of their tax return, the more a given organisation will be able to do. Therefore, it is worth encouraging family and friends to get involved. Last year, as many as 14.8 million Polish people supported a public benefit organisation by deducting their due tax and donating the amount to a foundation or association. The total sum of these donations was PLN 907 million.
Humanitarian missions can be supported in a host of ways. Every gesture or even the smallest donation improves the situation of those affected by the crisis. That is why it is so important not to underestimate these little forms of help that make the world a better place.
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