The DirectAid system is simple, but it is important to understand who does what and what we mean by "donor", "partner", "organization", "agent", "needs" and "actions".

Donors are individuals or organizations who desire to browse the database of needs in order to provide assistance.

Partners or partner organizations are organizations who have been approve to register their staff, volunteers and field workers as agents. The agents know about the precise situations and needs, and their role is to document those needs so that donors may do something.

If a donor decides to send supplies to match a need, this is called an action. Donors should carefully document their actions so that