Grantmaking, Social Development

Give smartly to disaster relief

24 January 2010

The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service provides comprehensive emergency aero-medical and rescue services to the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape.

Written by Gina de Villiers, Tsihkululu Social Investments Communications Specialist.

It is a horrible irony that natural disasters seem to strike the poorest communities, where the very poverty of the area contributes to the devastation of the tsunami, flood or earthquake.  This was true in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina, in Soweto early last year where flash floods caused the Klip River to burst its banks, and it is true right now in Haiti.

Thank goodness for the emotional response we have to disasters of this kind – it is impossible to imagine the added effects of there being no international teams of paramedics, nurses, doctors and other emergency personnel, no donations of money and goods from ordinary individuals far away geographically and culturally, and no relief missions.

As important as this emotional response is, it is even more important that giving to disaster relief be done smartly, so that the appropriate aid reaches the people that need it most.

• Donating to an organisation that is already working in the country or community affected will result in aid being put to use faster.  Not only will such organisations have a clearer idea of the needs of the communities they serve, they should have established transport, communication and bureaucratic networks that are essential to reaching victims as close to immediately as possible.

• In order, it is better to donate money, then goods, then time.  The challenges of cleaning, transporting, storing and distributing goods is often far more of a hindrance than a help in emergency situations.  This takes valuable manpower away from where it could be needed more.  In addition, expired food and medical supplies can present a serious health hazard.  Only trained emergency personnel should consider travelling to the site of the disaster.

• If you are uncomfortable donating money, consider whether you are donating to an organisation that you really trust.

• Should you absolutely prefer to donate goods, respond to a direct appeal for specific items to avoid the issues described above.

• Donate later.  There is need for rebuilding, counselling and social services long after the last aftershock, long after the rain has stopped falling.  Restoration efforts can take months and years to complete.  Consider donating to development projects in the community or region rather than disaster management funds.

• International aid websites are suggesting that people wishing to contribute to disaster relief locally donate blood.  In South Africa, where we are fortunate not to experience major earthquakes, consider donating blood prior to the festive season.  The increased instances of road fatalities put our National Blood Transfusion Service under enormous strain.

• Give equally to local disaster preparedness.  The South African Red Cross and the Salvation Army need funding to train volunteers, progressing towards innovative, proactive and better-coordinated efforts that save more lives.