Washington ? If you want to help the tsunami victims, send money, not clothes or food, which often piles up unused and burdens relief groups.

These create what experts often call a second disaster. Relief organizations must pay either to ship or dispose of them. The American Red Cross won’t accept these kinds of donations. Relief organizations find it more efficient to buy relief supplies in affected countries, which also helps them economically.

Here are a few of the international relief organizations where you can donate:

• United Nations Children’s Fund. Web site: www.unicefusa.org. Address: 333 E. 38th St., New York, NY 10016.
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Web site: www.ifrc.org/helpnow. Address: PO Box 372, CH-1211 Geneva 19, Switzerland.