Most Americans give to charity, disaster aid: poll

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Most Americans are compassionate and generous in helping others, particularly people who have traveled overseas who donate to international disaster relief, a new survey shows.

Nearly 90 percent of Americans said they have given to charities and other causes and 60 percent donated to disaster relief, according to the poll.

"The findings of this survey confirm that Americans have good intentions when it comes to assisting international disaster victims and that many Americans are making the best choice by giving cash donations," said Suzanne H. Brooks, director of the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI).

Seventy-six percent of people donated cash most often to international disaster relief, and 50 percent said money was more effective than giving goods.

Women tended to be more generous than men and people living on the east and west coasts gave more to charities than people living in other areas of the country, the survey of 1,002 adults commissioned by CIDI showed.

Among those who have donated to international disaster relief, 43 percent usually give $50 or less, while 42 percent gave more.

Younger people, aged 18 to 34, were the most likely to help relief efforts in countries they had visited, compared with 54 percent of people over 35 who had traveled abroad.

Only 10 percents of Americans gave donations online, while 47 percent said they gave directly to a person or group collecting on behalf of a charity or cause.

"With these research findings, we can assess how to educate the public on appropriate international disaster relief strategically and more efficiently," Brooks said.