In any emergency, a coordinated response is everything. Public safety agencies bring structure and authority, but they can’t be everywhere at once. This is where non-governmental organizations become critical partners. They have deep community ties, specialized skills, and the agility to fill gaps that official channels might miss. But effective collaboration doesn’t just happen. It requires a mutual understanding of each other’s roles, capabilities, and communication styles. This guide is designed to bridge that gap, exploring how ngos function and how you can build powerful, life-saving partnerships with them before, during, and after a crisis.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to install the free PubSafe mobile app and subscribe!
Key Takeaways
- Know the type of NGO you’re working with: NGOs vary widely, from grassroots groups with deep local trust to international organizations with vast resources; understanding their specific mission is the first step to a successful partnership.
- Collaboration is non-negotiable in a crisis: The most effective emergency responses happen when public safety agencies and NGOs work together, combining official authority with an NGO’s community-level insight to create a more complete effort.
- True impact comes from building resilience: An effective NGO listens to the community, partners with other local groups, and adapts to changing needs, moving beyond simple aid to create lasting strength and preparedness.
What Is an NGO?
You’ve probably heard the term NGO, but what does it actually mean? Standing for Non-Governmental Organization, it’s a broad category for groups that play a huge role in everything from local community projects to international disaster relief. They are often the boots on the ground, the advocates for change, and the partners that public safety agencies rely on during a crisis. Understanding what they are and how they operate is the first step to building stronger, more effective collaborations in emergency response.
Defining Characteristics of an NGO
At its core, an NGO is an organization that operates independently of any government. While some NGOs can technically be for-profit, the term almost always refers to non-profit groups dedicated to social, humanitarian, or environmental causes. Think of organizations like the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, or even smaller, local animal shelters. Their main goal isn’t to make money for shareholders; it’s to serve a specific mission. This independence allows them to fill gaps that government programs might not cover and respond quickly to community needs, which is why they are such vital partners in the PubSafe network.
Legal Status and Government Independence
The term “non-governmental organization” gained traction after the United Nations was formed in 1945. The UN needed a way to differentiate between governmental bodies and private organizations. Legally, an NGO is a voluntary group of citizens, operating on a non-profit basis, to address issues for the public good. While they are independent, their relationship with governments can be complex. Many NGOs receive funding from government grants to carry out their work. This doesn’t mean they are controlled by the government, but it does highlight the importance of transparency and maintaining their autonomy. For any NGO looking to formalize its role in community safety, you can complete an organization registration to connect with other response teams.
What Are the Different Types of NGOs?
When you hear the term NGO, you might picture a specific type of organization, but the reality is that they are incredibly diverse. NGOs aren’t a one-size-fits-all category. They operate with different goals, at different scales, and with different methods. Understanding these distinctions is key to seeing how they fit into the larger picture of community support and disaster response. Some focus on changing laws, while others are on the ground delivering aid. Let’s look at the main types you’ll encounter.
Advocacy and Policy NGOs
Think of these as the big-picture strategists. Advocacy NGOs work to promote a specific cause, like human rights or environmental protection, and they put their energy into influencing government policies. They often use lobbying, public campaigns, and research to raise awareness and drive systemic change. Instead of building a well themselves, they might campaign for a new law that ensures clean water access for an entire region. During a disaster, their work might involve advocating for better emergency preparedness legislation or holding institutions accountable for their response efforts. They are the voices pushing for long-term solutions and preventative measures that can make communities safer before a crisis even hits.
Service and Operational NGOs
These are the “boots on the ground” organizations. Service and operational NGOs focus on planning and carrying out projects that deliver direct help to communities. This includes everything from building schools and providing healthcare to distributing food and water after a hurricane. They are deeply involved in the hands-on implementation of programs that address immediate needs. For anyone involved in crisis response, these are the partners you see managing shelters, clearing debris, and handling volunteer coordination during an emergency. Their work is tangible, direct, and essential for helping communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of a disaster.
Community-Based and Grassroots Organizations
Community-based organizations (CBOs) are formed by local residents to tackle issues right in their own backyards. They have an unmatched understanding of their community’s unique strengths and challenges. These groups are vital because they connect people with resources and with each other, building trust and local capacity from the ground up. CBOs play a critical role in effective community engagement because they are run by the very people they serve. In a crisis, they are often the first to respond, using their local networks to check on neighbors and share critical information long before outside help can arrive.
International vs. Local NGOs
NGOs can also be defined by their scope. Some work at a local level while others operate all over the world. International NGOs (INGOs) like the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders have vast resources and can deploy teams to address global issues like pandemics or large-scale natural disasters. Local NGOs, on the other hand, have deep community roots and provide targeted support. The most effective disaster responses often happen when these two types collaborate. This partnership combines the resources of an INGO with the trusted relationships and on-the-ground knowledge of a local organization, creating a more complete and effective response.
How Do NGOs Operate and Get Funded?
NGOs are the backbone of many community efforts, but how do they keep the lights on and the work moving forward? Their internal workings and financial strategies are just as varied as their missions. For anyone looking to partner with, volunteer for, or support an NGO, understanding how they operate is essential. It helps you see how they make an impact, especially during a crisis when resources are stretched thin and every action counts. An NGO’s effectiveness often comes down to a combination of a clear organizational model, diverse funding streams, and transparent financial management.
When these pieces work together, an NGO can effectively serve its community, build trust with its supporters, and seamlessly coordinate with volunteers and other agencies to get things done. This isn’t just about internal bookkeeping; it’s about operational readiness. A well-funded and well-structured NGO can deploy resources faster, manage teams on the ground more efficiently, and communicate clearly with public safety partners. For example, knowing an NGO has a stable funding model gives partners confidence in its ability to sustain long-term recovery efforts. Likewise, understanding its structure helps clarify roles and responsibilities during a joint response. Let’s look at how these critical elements come together to power their work.
How NGOs Are Structured
NGOs are generally organized in two ways: by what they do and where they work. First is their orientation, which is essentially their core mission. This includes groups focused on human rights, environmental protection, health services, or community development. Second is their level of operation, which defines their geographic scope. An NGO can be a small, local group working in a single neighborhood, a national organization operating across a country, or an international entity with a global reach. This structure helps clarify an organization’s purpose and the communities it serves, making it easier to coordinate efforts during an emergency.
Where the Money Comes From
To carry out their work, NGOs rely on several funding sources. Many receive money from private donations, membership fees, and the sale of goods or services. Another major source is grants from governments or larger international groups. While this funding is often essential, relying heavily on government support can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Some NGOs find that it can potentially influence their independence and ability to advocate freely. Because of this, many organizations strive to build a diverse funding base to ensure they can maintain their autonomy and stay true to their mission without outside pressure.
Managing Funds and Staying Transparent
When you support an NGO, you want to know your contribution is making a difference. That’s where financial transparency comes in. A key term you’ll hear is “overhead,” which refers to the money spent on running the organization itself, like office costs and staff salaries, rather than on its projects. While a low overhead percentage is often seen as a sign of efficiency, focusing too much on this number can be misleading. Effective team management and operational capacity cost money but are vital for an NGO to do its work well, especially when responding to disasters. These organizations are crucial for delivering aid, gathering resources, and speaking up for communities in need.
What Is the Role of NGOs in Society?
NGOs are vital players in our communities, stepping in to fill gaps that governments and for-profit companies often can’t. Their work is incredibly diverse, touching everything from local neighborhood projects to global policy debates. Operating independently gives them the flexibility to focus on specific missions and respond directly to the needs of the people they serve. Whether championing a cause, delivering critical aid, or protecting our planet, NGOs are on the front lines working to create a better, more equitable world.
Driving Social Change and Influencing Policy
Many NGOs focus on being a voice for the voiceless. They work to change policies and laws to better support communities and protect fundamental rights. By conducting research, launching public campaigns, and lobbying government officials, they raise awareness about issues like social justice, public health, and human rights. This advocacy is crucial for creating long-term, systemic change. Instead of just treating symptoms, these organizations tackle root causes by pushing for stronger regulations and more equitable legislation, ensuring progress is sustainable and benefits everyone.
Providing Direct Services to Communities
Beyond advocacy, many NGOs are known for their hands-on work. They provide essential goods and services directly to people in need, from running food banks and health clinics to offering educational programs. A key part of their success is their ability to work closely with local communities to understand what is truly needed. This grassroots approach ensures that their efforts are relevant and effective. By embedding themselves within the communities they serve, these organizations build trust and deliver support that makes a tangible, immediate difference in people’s lives.
Responding to Emergencies and Disasters
When a crisis hits, NGOs are often the first to help. During natural disasters or humanitarian crises, they can mobilize quickly to provide life-saving aid like food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. Their agility allows them to reach affected areas and start relief efforts, sometimes even before larger government agencies can respond. This rapid deployment is critical in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, where every second counts. They coordinate volunteers and set up temporary facilities to support survivors through the most difficult times.
Protecting the Environment
NGOs also play a critical role in safeguarding our planet. They lead the charge on environmental protection by advocating for conservation, fighting pollution, and promoting sustainable practices. Some organizations focus on protecting specific ecosystems or endangered species, while others work on a global scale to address climate change. Their work includes everything from organizing local clean-up events to influencing international environmental policy. By focusing on sustainable development, these groups help ensure that communities can thrive without depleting the natural resources we all depend on.
How Do NGOs and Public Safety Work Together?
When a crisis hits, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation. Public safety agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are two of the most critical players on the ground, but they often operate in different spheres. The key to a truly effective response isn’t just having them both present; it’s having them work together as a unified force. By combining the structure and resources of public safety with the community-level trust and agility of NGOs, we can create a response that is faster, smarter, and more compassionate. This collaboration turns separate efforts into a powerful, coordinated strategy that saves lives and helps communities recover more quickly.
Partnering for Effective Crisis Response
Building strong relationships between public safety and NGOs is the foundation of a successful disaster strategy. Public safety agencies bring official resources, authority, and large-scale coordination to the table. On the other hand, NGOs often have deep, long-standing trust within the communities they serve, giving them a unique and vital perspective during a response effort. When these two groups partner, they can cover more ground and meet a wider range of needs. An NGO can identify vulnerable households that might be missed in a formal census, while a public safety team can provide the equipment and personnel to perform a rescue. This partnership ensures that the official response is informed by real, on-the-ground community knowledge.
Communicating and Coordinating in Real Time
In the chaos of an emergency, clear communication is everything. With multiple agencies and organizations on the scene, it’s easy for wires to get crossed, leading to duplicated efforts and critical gaps in coverage. A unified system for multi-agency communication is essential for sharing real-time updates and coordinating action. When everyone is operating from the same playbook, a public safety team can see where an NGO has already distributed supplies, and an NGO can see which areas have been cleared by first responders. This shared awareness is exactly what PubSafe’s disaster response platform is designed for, creating a common operational picture for all stakeholders, from government agencies to citizen volunteers.
Making the Most of Shared Resources
When a disaster strikes, good intentions can sometimes lead to logistical nightmares. The sheer volume of organizations on the ground can make providing efficient aid difficult. Without coordination, one neighborhood might get flooded with water bottles while another goes without. Effective volunteer coordination and resource management are crucial. By using a shared platform, organizations can see where resources are being deployed in real time. This allows teams to direct supplies, personnel, and equipment to the areas of greatest need, ensuring that aid is distributed efficiently and equitably instead of being wasted or misdirected.
Using Local Knowledge to Engage Communities
Local NGOs and community groups possess an invaluable resource: intimate knowledge of the people and places they serve. They understand the culture, the language, and the specific vulnerabilities of their communities in a way that outside agencies often can’t. This insight is critical for tailoring a response that is both effective and respectful. For example, a local organization will know the best way to communicate with elderly residents or which community leaders can help spread important information. By listening to and integrating this local expertise, public safety agencies can ensure their efforts are well-received and address the actual needs of the people they are trying to help. This is why platforms that allow citizens to report an incident directly are so powerful; they channel that local knowledge directly to responders.
What Challenges Do NGOs Face?
While NGOs accomplish incredible work, their path is often filled with significant hurdles. From securing funds to proving their effectiveness, these organizations constantly work to overcome obstacles that can stand in the way of their mission. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward finding effective solutions and building stronger, more resilient partnerships in the communities they serve. These hurdles often fall into a few key categories that impact their day-to-day operations and long-term sustainability.
Securing Stable Funding
An NGO can’t run on passion alone. Finding consistent and reliable funding is a persistent challenge. Most NGOs rely on a mix of sources, including private donations, membership fees, and grants from foundations or government bodies. This patchwork of funding can be unpredictable, making long-term planning difficult. Relying heavily on government grants can also be tricky. While the financial support is crucial, it can sometimes raise questions about an NGO’s independence, which is a key part of its public trust. This constant search for financial stability can divert precious time and resources away from the actual mission.
Coordinating with Other Agencies
During a crisis, effective coordination is everything, yet it remains one of the biggest challenges in disaster response. Imagine multiple agencies, volunteer groups, and public safety teams arriving at a scene. Each group has its own way of working, its own resources, and its own communication methods. Without a central system to connect them, efforts can become duplicated, resources can be misallocated, and critical information can get lost. This is where dedicated team management tools become critical. A shared platform ensures everyone is working from the same playbook, which speeds up the entire relief effort and helps get support to where it’s needed most.
Overcoming Communication and Tech Hurdles
In disaster relief, clear and immediate communication can be the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, communication barriers are a common and dangerous hurdle. Different teams may use incompatible radio systems, or cell service might be down entirely. Without a unified communication platform, sharing real-time updates, damage assessments, and resource requests becomes nearly impossible. This technological gap can hinder the efficiency of relief operations. A centralized system that allows every stakeholder, from individual citizens to large organizations, to report incidents and communicate on one network is essential for a swift and organized response.
Measuring and Proving Their Impact
How do you measure hope or community resilience? NGOs face constant pressure to demonstrate their effectiveness to donors, partners, and the public. Unlike a for-profit business that can point to sales figures, an NGO’s success is often measured in qualitative outcomes that are harder to quantify. They must create detailed reports and collect data to prove their impact, which requires significant administrative effort. This need for accountability is vital for maintaining trust and securing future funding, but it adds another layer of complexity to their work, especially for smaller, grassroots organizations with limited staff and resources.
How Do NGOs Build Stronger Communities?
Beyond immediate aid, the most impactful NGOs focus on building communities that can stand on their own two feet. Their work is about creating a foundation of strength, knowledge, and connection that lasts long after a specific project or crisis ends. This isn’t just about handing out supplies; it’s about investing in people and their ability to create a better future for themselves. This shift from short-term relief to long-term development is what separates good intentions from lasting impact. It’s about seeing the potential in every community and providing the resources to help them realize it.
This long-term vision is what transforms a group of individuals into a resilient community. By focusing on skills, leadership, and preparedness, NGOs help ensure that when the next challenge arises, the community is ready to face it together. This approach creates a powerful cycle of empowerment, where people are not just recipients of aid but active partners in their own success. Effective volunteer coordination is a perfect example of this, turning willing citizens into an organized force for good. When people are trained and organized, they become a critical part of the response infrastructure, rather than waiting for outside help. This groundwork is essential for creating a culture of preparedness and mutual support that can withstand any storm.
Empowering People with New Skills
One of the most direct ways NGOs strengthen communities is by empowering individuals with new skills and opportunities. They work on practical projects that have a lasting impact, like building schools, improving local health clinics, and offering job training programs. This work is designed to help communities become strong and self-reliant. Instead of creating dependency, the goal is to provide the tools and knowledge people need to support themselves and their families. This could mean teaching sustainable farming techniques, offering literacy classes, or providing vocational training that opens doors to new careers, creating a ripple effect of stability and growth.
Training and Supporting Local Leaders
Effective NGOs understand that real change comes from within. They don’t just show up with a plan; they work to identify, train, and support local leaders who already have the trust of their community. This strategy of community engagement is crucial for building programs that actually meet local needs. By listening to and collaborating with community members, NGOs can design more effective initiatives and mobilize local resources and support. This partnership ensures that projects are culturally appropriate and sustainable, and it empowers local leaders to continue the work long after the NGO’s direct involvement has ended.
Building Long-Term Resilience
A core focus for many NGOs, especially those in disaster response, is building long-term community resilience. This means helping communities not only recover from a crisis but also prepare for future events. This work involves a wide range of activities, from strengthening infrastructure and developing early warning systems to creating community emergency response plans. By bringing a unique focus to disaster response and recovery strategies, NGOs help build local capacity. When communities have the plans, training, and networks in place, they are far better equipped to handle emergencies, reduce damage, and recover more quickly.
What Are Some Common Myths About NGOs?
NGOs are vital partners in community safety and disaster response, but misconceptions about how they operate can sometimes create confusion. When you understand the reality behind their work, you can build stronger, more effective partnerships. Let’s clear up a few common myths to help you collaborate with confidence.
Myth: It’s Purely Altruistic
Many people assume NGOs run on good intentions alone. While a strong sense of purpose drives their work, they are also complex organizations with real-world operational needs. They have staff to pay, offices to run, and strategic goals to meet. An NGO’s independence is also a key part of its trustworthiness. As a result, leaders must carefully consider their funding sources. For example, relying too heavily on government grants could potentially limit an organization’s ability to speak freely on important issues. Navigating these practicalities is part of ensuring the mission can continue effectively for years to come.
Reality: Accountability Is Key
While NGOs champion important causes, they aren’t immune to scrutiny. Just like any other organization, they must be accountable to their donors, partners, and the communities they serve. Concerns about financial mismanagement or a lack of transparency can damage an NGO’s reputation and effectiveness. The most successful organizations prioritize clear reporting and responsible oversight to maintain public trust. This commitment to accountability is what makes them reliable partners in a crisis. Tools that support transparent team management are essential for coordinating efforts and demonstrating impact, especially during an emergency response where every action counts.
Myth: They Only Run on Donations
It’s a common belief that NGOs are funded entirely by individual donations. In reality, most have a diverse funding strategy to ensure their long-term stability. According to Wikipedia, NGOs often get money from a mix of sources, including donations, membership fees, selling goods or services, and grants from governments or international groups. This varied approach helps them weather economic shifts and sustain their operations without relying on a single source of income. When you see an NGO with multiple revenue streams, it’s often a sign of a resilient and well-managed organization. Any verified group can complete an organization registration to join the PubSafe network and coordinate with others.
What Makes an NGO Effective?
Having a powerful mission is the first step, but what truly separates a good NGO from a great one is its effectiveness. It’s not just about the desire to help; it’s about creating real, measurable, and positive change. In the world of disaster response, effectiveness can mean the difference between a community that recovers quickly and one that struggles for years. So, what’s the secret sauce? It boils down to a few core practices that any organization can adopt.
Effective NGOs don’t operate in a bubble. They are deeply connected to the people they serve, they work hand-in-hand with other groups, and they aren’t afraid to change their approach when the situation on the ground shifts. They understand that their role is to support and empower, not to take over. By focusing on listening, partnering, and adapting, an NGO can move beyond simply providing aid to building lasting resilience within a community. These principles are the foundation of a response that is not only helpful in the moment but also sustainable for the future.
Listen to and Engage the Community
The most effective NGOs start by listening. Before deploying resources or launching a program, they take a step back and ask what the community actually needs. This seems simple, but it’s a crucial step that’s often overlooked in the rush to help. True community engagement builds trust and ensures that your efforts are genuinely useful. It means creating channels for feedback and treating community members as partners in their own recovery. When citizens can easily report an incident, they provide responders with direct, real-time information that is more valuable than any top-down assessment. This ground-up communication ensures that aid goes where it’s needed most.
Partner with Local Organizations
No single organization can handle a crisis alone. That’s why smart NGOs prioritize collaboration. Partnering with other local groups is a force multiplier. These organizations often have established connections and a deep understanding of the local landscape, which is invaluable during an emergency. By working together, you can share resources, avoid duplicating efforts, and present a united front. A coordinated response is always more powerful than a fragmented one. Platforms that facilitate team management allow different groups, from CERT teams to grassroots organizations, to communicate and deploy volunteers seamlessly, making the entire response effort more efficient and impactful.
Adapt and Learn Continuously
A disaster is not a static event. Conditions can change in an instant, and the needs of a community will evolve throughout the response and recovery process. The most effective NGOs are flexible and ready to adapt their strategies. They view community outreach as an ongoing process, constantly gathering feedback and monitoring the situation to see what’s working and what isn’t. This requires a willingness to learn and pivot. Using tools like a public map that shows real-time incident reports and resource locations allows organizations to make informed decisions on the fly, ensuring they can respond to new challenges as they arise.
How Can You Get Involved with an NGO?
Feeling inspired to contribute? Getting involved with an NGO is one of the most direct ways to make a difference in your community and beyond. Whether you have time to spare, skills to share, or resources to give, there’s a role for you. The path you choose depends on your personal goals, availability, and the specific needs you want to address. From volunteering on the front lines to providing crucial financial backing, your support helps these organizations carry out their vital work. Let’s explore a few ways you can jump in and start making an impact.
Volunteer Your Time and Skills
Giving your time is a powerful way to support a cause you care about. NGOs rely on volunteers to help with everything from administrative tasks and fundraising to direct fieldwork during emergencies. You don’t need to be a first responder to be useful; organizations need people with skills in communication, logistics, tech, and project management. If you’re looking to help during a crisis, effective volunteer coordination is key to ensuring efforts are helpful, not harmful. Platforms like PubSafe connect skilled individuals with CERT teams and NGOs that need support, allowing you to find opportunities where your abilities can make the biggest difference.
Support Their Work Financially
Consistent funding is the fuel that keeps NGO operations running. Financial contributions, no matter the size, are essential for everything from paying staff and maintaining equipment to launching and sustaining long-term community programs. Many organizations depend on donations from individuals to continue their work. Before you donate, it’s always a good idea to research the organization to understand its mission and how it operates. Look for transparency in their financial reporting to ensure your contribution will be used effectively to support the causes you believe in. Recurring donations are often especially helpful, as they provide a stable source of income that allows NGOs to plan for the future.
Start Your Own Organization
If you see a gap in services or a community need that isn’t being met, you might consider starting your own NGO. This path requires passion, dedication, and a clear vision. It often begins with one person or a small group identifying a specific problem and developing a mission to solve it. Once you have a plan and a team, you’ll need the right tools to coordinate your efforts and communicate effectively. To hit the ground running, you can register your organization on a platform like PubSafe. This allows you to manage your team, coordinate with other agencies, and become part of a larger network of responders from day one.
Related Articles
- NGO Disaster Response: Key Challenges & Solutions | PubSafe
- NGO Technology for Disaster Response & Team Management | PubSafe
- NGO Disaster Response Coordination During Natural Disasters
- NGO Technology Improves Operational Efficiency
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between how an NGO and a public safety agency operate in a crisis? Think of it as a partnership between formal structure and flexible action. Public safety agencies, like police or fire departments, operate with official authority and bring large-scale resources and a clear command structure to an emergency. NGOs, on the other hand, often have deep community trust and the agility to respond to specific, on-the-ground needs very quickly. They can fill gaps that a formal response might miss, making their collaboration with public safety essential for a complete and effective response.
Why is it so hard for different response groups to work together during an emergency? In the chaos of a crisis, many well-intentioned groups arrive on the scene, but they often come with their own communication methods, leadership, and plans. Without a central way to coordinate, it’s easy for efforts to overlap in one area while another area gets no help at all. This lack of a shared, real-time picture of the situation is one of the biggest hurdles to providing fast, efficient aid to everyone who needs it.
If an NGO gets government grants, does that mean it’s controlled by the government? Not at all. While many NGOs receive government funding for specific projects, this does not mean the government controls their overall mission or day-to-day operations. An NGO’s independence is one of its greatest strengths. To protect this autonomy, most organizations work hard to secure funding from a variety of sources, including private donations and membership fees, so they aren’t overly reliant on any single contributor.
I want to help during a disaster, but I’m not a first responder. How can I volunteer effectively? You absolutely can. Emergency response requires a huge range of skills beyond medical aid or search and rescue. NGOs need volunteers with experience in logistics, communications, organizing supplies, managing data, and offering emotional support. The most effective way to help is to connect with an established organization before a disaster or in its immediate aftermath. They can place you where your skills will be most useful and ensure your efforts are part of a coordinated, safe response.
How can a small, local organization even begin to help in a major disaster? Small, local organizations are incredibly powerful during a disaster precisely because they are local. They possess an invaluable resource: intimate knowledge of their community’s people, culture, and geography. They know which residents are most vulnerable, which roads are likely to flood, and who the trusted community leaders are. This allows them to act as a critical bridge, connecting the large-scale efforts of outside agencies to the real, specific needs on the ground.
