Give Cash and Prayers, Not Cans and Clothes
Christian relief agencies explained why cash donations, not canned foods, household items or excited volunteers, are urgently needed during the phase 1 operation of the global tsunami relief effort.
Similar to appeals heard across government-led relief agencies, Christian relief groups began explaining the urgent need for cash donations as opposed to canned foods, household items or excited volunteers, to help bring much-need assistance to the earthquake-tsunami struck region of the world.
"We're urging members of the media everywhere, from major television news programs to local radio stations, newspapers and even church newsletters to harness the power of their media to set the record straight -- what survivors in South Asia need most of all right now is for concerned citizens to send cash donations to reputable organizations working in the areas affected," said Lisa Bonds, Vice President of External Relations at Lutheran World Relief (LWF).
"The nonprofits that work in the field, our partners there and even the U.S. Government have been saying since day one not to send clothes and canned food and other household items," she continued, calling for a 'responsible response.' "We get word from the governments of the affected countries, and from humanitarian organizations in those countries exactly what is needed. So far, none have requested tons of used clothing," she concluded.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Similarly, Linda Beher, communications director for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) said “Cash donations are the most important contribution people can make at the moment.”
According to reports from on-scene, over 150,000 people died since the 500mph tsunami wrecked thousands of miles of once-peaceful shorelines in Asia and parts of Africa. What’s worse, the World Health Organization estimated that 500,000 people may have been injured, with an additional three to five million people vulnerable to infection diseases.
With such unprecedented numbers, leaders from around the world pledged billions in long-term assistance to what officials say could take over a decade to rebuild. At last look, Japan pledged the highest amount - $500 million – to the cause as a single nation; the US pledged the second greatest amount at $350 million. In light of a total $2 billion global relief operation in place, leaders from the stricken nations and world donors decided to meet on Thursday to iron out the problems in coordination such a massive effort.
Christian relief agencies have also been working with government officials and local churches to take on the challenge. World Vision, one of the largest Christian humanitarian agencies in the world, pledged a long term $50 million goal to the efforts; LWR gathered more than $4.5 million; dozens of denominations worked through the Church World Service to give more than $1 million in immediate assistance.
Barbara Wetsig, associate director for Asia for Lutheran World Relief, explained that such cash donations are vital to the organizations’ operations.
"There's a reason organizations who have been responding to disasters for decades didn't begin canned food drives this week," said Wetsig. "Well meaning Americans want to 'do something,' and that's more than just writing a check or donating online with a credit card.”
"These 'nonprofits' who opened for business last week to start collecting their neighbors' clothing and dry food and bottled water are soon going to create more work for weary relief agencies on the ground in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Already we've read reports from the press in India of 100-pound bales of clothing being discarded along the road there to make room on supply vehicles for water purification equipment, food rations and medical equipment," Wetsig added.
Steve Bruno, material aid manager for LWR agreed, saying that sending supplies and materials is also challenging because of the high transport cost of getting those good to the people most in need.
"Some of these groups that sprout up overnight to ship boxes and bags of materials to disaster stricken areas lack the proper paperwork to get the materials through the port, with no clear, specific destination except for the country itself," said Bruno. "It's far more complicated than that.
"There's also the issue of the cost of transporting the materials once they do clear the port, and the manpower to load and unload it. And that's not to mention the poor conditions of the roads and the sheer number of vehicles trying to navigate them to deliver life-saving supplies in the weeks following a disaster," Bruno added. "People in South Asia need water and food and medical care right now.”
Thus, cash is the best way to respond to disasters like that in South Asia since it has no shipping costs, can be wired to agencies and governments in need immediately, and can be used to obtain culture-specific items to help economies get back on their feet.
"Cash may seem less personal than sending tangible items -- and we've all felt the need to do that," said Bonds. "But if people really want to help the survivors and those on-site assisting them, and not make that already difficult task more so, then they must realize how cash, at least in Phase One efforts, is the only 'responsible response,' available. If you don't have the money, they certainly can use your prayers."
LWR is a 60-year disaster relief agency that was founded by Lutherans in the United States. Currently, the LWR is supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and works through partners and global relief and development networks across 50 countries.
According to the LWR, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans began a “matching grant” initiative of up to $2 million. The matching grant is extended to all 2.8 million Thrivent Financial members across the countries; Thrivent Financial member donations to the LWR will be matched dollar for dollar through April 15, 2005, up to $2 million. In total, Thrivent hopes to raise $5 million for tsunami victims: $1 million gift; $2 million matching dollars; $2 million in member contributions.
To give to the LWR, visit: http://www.lwr.org or call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2. 100 percent of donations to South Asia Tsunami/Wave of Giving will go to help those in need. You may also send checks to the following address:
Lutheran World Relief -- South Asia Tsunami/Wave of Giving, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, Md. 21298-9832
Please also consider making an unrestricted donation, which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
Donations to UMCOR's “South Asia Emergency” relief efforts can be placed in local church offering plates or sent directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Designate checks for UMCOR Advance #274305 and “South Asia Emergency.” Online donations can be made by going to www.methodistrelief.org. Those making credit-card donations can call (800) 554-8583.
