Agree with the suggestions to donate cash. But this situation seems to be one that, like previous media-focus massive disasters, is likely to result in cash donations in excess of what can actually be used in the short term. That's a good thing, compared to being short of funds, and I'd hate for the anticipation of excess to be a factor that prevented people from actually meeting the immediate need.

But I remember with the tsunami hearing various agencies saying "what we'll need more than more cash now is for you to support us after this disaster has passed from the world's attention and people still have needs for longer-term rebuilding."

So I'm thinking I may respond to this disaster by sending money to SE Asia, and respond to the next big disaster by sending money to the LA and MI Gulf coast area.

I had also considered offering living space for refugees, but that's probably impractical as I'm about 1000 miles away.