NOT ANOTHER
By GILLIAN ARTHUR, Director, The Sanne Philanthropic Foundation
while many will go unremarked, there will be those extreme events which prompt the launch of major international appeals. It is forecast that those people affected by these events will increase from 250 million a year to 375 million by 2015. Whether the driver of this increased frequency and severity of storms is the consequence of human contribution to climate change or is part of a natural pattern is of great global significance but, at the time, of very little matter to those facing loss of family, housing and income.
O
Poor people are usually the worst hit by extreme calamities; their houses are poorly built and they live and work in the most exposed areas.
As we watch the desperate television pictures from the relative safety of Jersey and feel moved to make a donation, there are often questions of how best to do that. Which organization should I send the funds to?
ne of the
certainties of 2014 is that there will be natural
disasters and
DISASTER!
Will they use the funds effectively and for the purpose? Do they know what they are doing? Disasters certainly create heroes as selfless individuals who literally put their life on the line to rescue and treat the victims. But there are also concerns: the slow or disorganized response or yet another charity commenting on how stretched its resources are in spite of what seems like a generous and ample response from the public.
Disasters each have unique characteristics and in looking for where to send a donation, a donor might do no worse than donate through DEC, the Disaster Emergency Committee, a group of British relief charities. But in regard to a specific agency, there are some quick considerations, such as:
What kind of assistance is the organization offering? Some charities have strong suits in different kinds of response, be it in field medical work, food distribution or reuniting parted family members, especially children. Some of the support will be in
goods, cash assistance and services. There are regrettably examples of poorly directed aid including inappropriate goods (high heeled shoes and theatre costumes)!
Does the organization have a presence in the country? Those organizations with existing direct or partner activities in the country, particularly in the ravaged area, have a demonstrable advantage over those who do not. All have to bring in specialist personnel but those with local knowledge and connections with local communities and the authorities have a stronger base from which to start.
Do people know what they are doing? Professionals who have not only been involved in previous emergencies but also have relevant skills have a far greater contribution to make than untrained, uncoordinated volunteers, however well- intentioned they are. Charities who can quickly call on and deploy their teams and operate to accepted international standards bring an expertise and discipline which is invaluable, especially in the early stages of a disaster.
Working together. Coordinating the relief response at all levels from fundraising to operations on the ground is a differentiating factor in the effectiveness of international efforts but given the number of players, the
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20/20 Finance & Investment
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