In a Nov. 8, 2012, Q-and-A with The New York Times, philanthropic psychologist Jen Shang discussed how understanding donor behavior can lead to increased contributions for nonprofit organizations.

The Humanitarian Disaster Institute is an interdisciplinary research center based at Wheaton College in Illinois. The institute examines the humanitarian needs of underserved and vulnerable communities throughout the nation and world. Jamie Aten, whose research focuses on the psychology of religion and disasters, is founder and co-director.

Jamie Aten, founder and co-director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College in Illinois, offers these suggestions to congregations and faith groups wanting to help. The essay is posted by Christianity Today.

Read an account, posted by Christianity Today, of the typhoon’s aftermath as described by a World Vision aid worker.

Read a Nov. 11, 2013, article in the Australia-based online publication The Age about a former Catholic priest who is among the typhoon’s victims. Kevin Lee, who married a Filipino woman, drowned just weeks after becoming a father.

Omid Safi raises ethical and faith-based points to consider in this Nov. 11, 2013, post on his Religion News Service blog, “What Would Muhammad Do?”

See the CIA’s World Factbook entry on the Philippines for extensive background and data on the nation, including its religious makeup (in the People and Society section).

The Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma provides resources to help ensure “informed, innovative and ethical news reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.” The center is a project of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.