What can be donated at a collection center
By Antony Delgado · Updated Jul 24, 2026
Not every well-intentioned donation is useful or safe to channel toward an emergency. These are the categories a well-organized collection center accepts, and the rules behind each one.
Accepted categories
Medicine
With INN name, batch and expiry. At least 365 days of remaining shelf life. No controlled substances.
Medical supplies
Wound care, gloves, masks, syringes, classified by the IFRC/ICRC catalogue.
Food
Non-perishable, at least 180 days of remaining shelf life (configurable per product).
Water
Bottled or in jugs, factory-sealed.
Hygiene
Soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, diapers, unopened.
Tools
Shovels, machetes, helmets: gear for debris removal and reconstruction.
Rescue gear
Vests, flashlights, ropes, per the IOM emergency relief items catalogue.
WHO rules for medicines
Following the WHO Guidelines for Medicine Donations, a medicine is only accepted if it has at least 365 days of remaining shelf life at the date of receipt, and if it can be registered with an INN name, pharmaceutical form, strength, batch and expiry. Controlled substances are blocked: they are not accepted under any circumstances.
Rules for food
Donated food must have at least 180 days of remaining shelf life (this threshold is configurable per product type). It must be non-perishable and come in its original, sealed packaging.
What cannot be donated
- Medicines with less than 365 days of remaining shelf life, or without a legible batch/expiry.
- Controlled substances (automatically blocked at intake).
- Perishable food or food without a verifiable expiry date.
- Used clothing or items that don't match a category in the humanitarian aid catalogue.
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