When crises like Ebola threaten lives and livelihoods beyond our borders, American development professionals are often first on the scene. Their response has become more sophisticated as NGOs and corporations have increased their commitment to humanitarian relief. These private sector partners offer unique resources that enhance the government’s response to crises.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has a running list of corporations who have responded to the ebola outbreak in Africa. Among them are:

• 3M, who has sent nearly 1 million respirators to West Africa to help protect aid workers from the virus.
• Coca-Cola, who is providing safe drinking water to the affected countries.
• Shell, who has sent an ambulance and two trucks to Nigeria, with enough gas to fuel them for six months.
• The Clorox Company, who donated 12,000 bottles of Clorox to contain the spread of Ebola through its partnership with AmeriCares, a Connecticut-based disaster relief organization.
• UPS, who is flying UNICEF, CDC, Medshare, and Africare supplies to the region as part of a $500,000 grant an in-kind commitment.