GiveDirectly’s Innovative Cash Aid Program Empowers Nearly 1,000 Hurricane-Affected Households in North Carolina and Florida

In a groundbreaking initiative, the nonprofit GiveDirectly is set to deliver rapid, direct cash payments to nearly 1,000 households in North Carolina and Florida affected by recent hurricanes. The aid, part of a pioneering model not widely adopted in U.S. disaster relief, will see each selected household receive $1,000, enabling individuals to address their unique recovery needs without the usual hurdles associated with disaster assistance.

The program, scheduled to distribute funds on Friday, marks a shift in disaster philanthropy, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools to target aid effectively and swiftly. Google’s SKAI machine-learning tool helps identify heavily impacted areas by analyzing aerial images from before and after hurricanes, narrowing down neighborhoods with significant damage and high poverty rates. From there, GiveDirectly collaborates with Propel, an app commonly used to manage SNAP benefits, to invite eligible residents to enroll and receive their aid through a digital debit card.

This cash-centric approach contrasts with traditional in-kind donations, like food and blankets, that often fall short of meeting all disaster-related needs. Cash empowers recipients to manage individual expenses—such as temporary housing or childcare—often neglected by conventional aid, which can leave recipients reliant on limited resources or vulnerable to predatory lending.

GiveDirectly has tested direct cash assistance in past U.S. disasters, first piloting it during the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria in 2017. However, this program promises faster results, aiming to streamline and automate enrollment and delivery. Although the model has its limitations, particularly in reaching households without access to smartphones or government benefits, the organization sees it as an evolving framework that could inspire similar programs across the disaster relief landscape.

Since funding is a constraint for expanding eligibility, GiveDirectly hopes this initiative highlights the potential of cash aid for broader disaster response efforts, with ambitions for more sustainable, long-term assistance if future resources allow. This approach aligns with trends in guaranteed income programs, which have shown that beneficiaries spend funds prudently on essentials, underscoring the practicality of cash aid in disaster recovery.