Millions of Americans and a fair number of Gathering participants are going to respond to the immediate needs of the Philippines through Twitter, Facebook, text donations, appeals from scores of well-known relief organizations, and more than a few scams that proliferate after every disaster.
Years from now even many of the better-known organizations (like the American Red Cross) will be either holding millions of dollars in unspent money or, worse, will have used the money on projects completely unrelated to the original appeal.
Months after Superstorm Sandy, a third of the $303 million the Red Cross raised specifically for storm victims will be either unspent or misspent.
Years after the Haiti earthquake, less than 40 percent of the $4.6 billion raised and pledged in a few months has been spent. Stories of corruption, theft, and political patronage are still in the news.
Japan has spent funds intended for reconstruction after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami on roads in Okinawa, whaling research, and an ad campaign for Japan’s tallest building.
One of our recent conference panelists Ben Smilowitz of Disaster Accountability Project is a wealth of information on how badly much of relief money is spent (or not spent) and how important it is for charities to be transparent in their reporting of finances and what they accomplished.
Unfortunately, many of us want to help immediately – especially when we see the pictures of devastation havoc, loss of life, and children made orphans and homeless. 
How can you not respond immediately? It would be heartless to wait.
In fact, waiting may be the best thing we can do.
It’s often overlooked that there are important and distinct stages of disaster relief. I want to thank Steve Haas of World Vision for making this information available to us. Each one has needs and challenges:
24-48 hours: This is the “storm surge” of money that follows the news and media frenzy. To quote legendary football coach Woody Hayes, “Three things can happen and two of them are bad.” The money and flood of in-kind contributions can be as destructive as the typhoon if there are not systems in place for making use of it. Because 95 percent of the large-scale disasters occur in the undeveloped world this means there are few, if any, systems in place. This stage can last up to six months. If you feel you must give right away you should be focused on finding organizations and ministries that have a local presence. Those who have to fly in assistance without any prior relationship are far less effective – even harmful.
48-100 hours: Resources begin to arrive and distribution issues become complicated. The media looks for stories and snippets that will focus on either the physical horror of the disaster, the carnage, or the confusion of relief efforts. While there is merit in keeping the “story” alive because tragedy news is often displaced by celebrity gossip, there is an increasing pressure to find news that will get the fleeting attention of a viewer. Donors should stick with supporting organizations with a local presence as they will not be as affected by the logistics and they know best the immediate responses needed.
7-14 days: The international professionals and specialists arrive and begin to mobilize and organize resources. Used items and in-kind gifts shipped in from other countries are rarely helpful and tend to clog up the ports, scarce storage facilities, and overtaxed distribution chains. This is a good time for donors who have managed to avoid the temptation of contributing to the “storm surge” to instead, support organizations with competence and track records for this work. Cash is still the most-needed commodity – not material items.
30-45 days: Temporary shelter health and medical care food and water and economic aid along with the care of children without parents and a host of other problems ” require sustained organization – not just reactive assistance. 
45 days – one year: While this is by no means the end of the impact of the disaster this is the time for donors who have an interest in long-term relief and development. This is when the media attention has faded and many first responders have left to wait for another disaster or moved on. Organizations with long-term commitments and established reputations are the best investments. This is also when pressure builds from the media and outside agencies to question why all the money given has not been spent. In their defense ” it is not just the amount of money that is difficult to manage but the slow progress of legitimate recovery.
While we rarely recommend organizations for support, I have checked with Gathering participants who have long-time experience and relationships in the Philippines and asked them to recommend organizations and ministries for me to suggest. Here is their list. It is not exhaustive and in no order of priority or ranking.
World Vision
Water Missions International
Operation Blessing
Center For Community Transformation
International Care Ministries
Disaster Accountablity Project
So if you are wondering how to respond I would encourage you to check any of the above organizations and contact them for more information.