Giving guide
Where to give in humanitarian
Humanitarian charities provide emergency medical care, food, shelter, and protection to people caught in conflict, displacement, and crisis. They operate where the need is most acute and often most dangerous — refugee camps, war zones, and the aftermath of disasters.
Because this work is urgent and hard to measure precisely, transparency and operational track record matter enormously. The organisations below are ranked by our composite GiveWise score, which weighs financial efficiency, accountability, and evaluator ratings.
The ranking
Top Humanitarian charities
9 organisations, ranked by GiveWise score. Each links to a full profile with its rating breakdown, financials, and a donate link.
1AmericaresEmergency medical aid and medicine delivery to people affected by disaster and poverty in 90+ countries95Score98%To programs
2Doctors Without Borders (MSF)Emergency medical care in crisis zones, conflict areas, and disease outbreaks worldwide89Score87%To programs
3International Rescue CommitteeHumanitarian assistance and resettlement services for refugees and displaced people worldwide86Score89%To programs
4Direct ReliefMedical aid and emergency response to communities affected by poverty and disaster85Score100%To programs
5UNICEF USASupporting UNICEF's global programs for children's health, education, and protection85Score88%To programs
6Mercy CorpsHumanitarian relief and resilient development in the world's toughest places85Score86%To programs
7Save the Children USAImproving children's lives through education, health, and emergency response worldwide83Score80%To programs
8CARE USAHumanitarian aid and women's empowerment programs in 100+ countries82Score88%To programs
9Oxfam AmericaEmergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy to end global poverty and inequality80Score85%To programs
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a humanitarian charity?
Look for a long operational track record, a high share of spending reaching programmes, and independent accountability ratings. Organisations that publish audited financials and field reports are easier to trust.
Is it better to give to general funds or specific emergencies?
Flexible, unrestricted donations let experienced organisations direct money to wherever the need is greatest — which is often more effective than earmarking funds for a single headline crisis.