With the recent Haiti tragedy, we all wish to do what is right, what is best for a region when struck by disaster. In recent days, a New York Times article illuminated a thought provoking blog from an individual well versed in matters of donating aid to afflicted areas of the world.
The New York Times piece is
Aid Workers on How Not to Help Haiti
“Stephanie Strom, who covers philanthropy for The Times, pointed me to a blunt and useful post written by Saundra Schimmelpfennig, a leading expert on the recovery efforts after the Asian tsunami of 2004. Ms. Schimmelpfennig has opened her blog to advice from aid workers on the right and wrong ways to donate and help in the coming days and weeks.
The wrong ways are noteworthy, and they include showing up in Haiti to volunteer, collecting goods to donate (which clog up ports) and donating to a new charity (existing ones that are already on the ground there are better equipped to help).”
Saundra’s own blog has listed the following thought provoking points for one to consider before offering aid.
The DOs and DON’Ts of Disaster Donations
- Do look at a variety of agencies before giving
- Do look for organizations with prior experience and expertise
- Don’t donate to a project just because it’s “sexy”
- Don’t earmark funds
- Don’t evaluate an organization based on the amount spent on administration cost
- Do ensure that the agency is legitimate before giving
- Don’t expect the funds to be spent immediately
- Do consider holding off some of your donations until later in the rebuilding process
- Don’t take up a collection of goods to send over
- Don’t go over individually to volunteer
- Do consider donating an equal amount of money to disaster preparedness programs.
- Don’t assume there is a body overseeing and regulating the aid
- Do take the time to make informed decisions
As I say, thought provoking work here, worth your time to study..
Thanks for reading
