Survivors outside the Convention   Center in New Orleans   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Sending money, not goods, is the best way to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is responsible for coordinating disaster response and recovery operations in the United States.

FEMA also advises volunteers not to go to the affected areas, unless they've been sent by a volunteer agency.

Charity Navigator, a U.S. non-profit that aims to help people make intelligent donation decisions, advises donating to charities with a proven track record - particularly with the Gulf Coast and with hurricanes. It advises avoiding charities that have sprung up specifically in response to Hurricane Katrina, because they may not have the infrastructure to help.

Charity Navigator also advises people to donate via the web or through the mail, rather than giving credit card information over the phone.

The following organizations are among those collecting donations to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The CBC provides these links for your information only and not as an endorsement of any particular organization. If you want to donate, contact the organization directly for information on how funds are distributed.

The American Humane Association

B'nai B'rith International Disaster Relief Fund

Canadian Food For the Hungry International

Catholic Charities USA

Episcopal Relief and Development

Feed The Children

Habitat for Humanity

The Humane Society of the United States

Islamic Relief Worldwide

Mennonite Disaster Services

The Salvation Army of Canada

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

World Emergency Relief

World Vision Canada