Before advancing to strike China, Typhoon Mangkhut, a powerful storm 550 miles wide, pummeled the Philippines, leaving destruction in its path.

Some nonprofits that mobilized after Typhoon Haiyan hit the country five years ago, killing more than 6,000 people, said they were monitoring conditions in the Philippines while also managing their responses to Florence, the tropical storm battering the East Coast of the United States.

If you want to help those affected by the typhoon, we offer some guidance below, and a list of a few of the organizations involved in recovery efforts.

Things to keep in mind

Sending money is almost always the most efficient way to help in a disaster, experts say. Otherwise, valuable time might be lost sorting through a mountain of donated goods that do not serve people’s immediate needs.