This is becoming close to unfathomable. My husband and I really want to help out financially, but it's hard to know which aid organization is the best to give to. We were thinking Oxfam America, but I'm willing to entertain suggestions from fellow FReepers as well...I just want my money going to the place that it most useful right now.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/110419711467.htm
Bump, I would like to know the answer to your question as well.
I did work with Oxfam in Ethiopia during the famine, they are a good group. The other charity I trust is Salvation Army.
I gave to Catholic Relief Services. You can direct your contribution to the tsunami relief effort. I believe that 98% or so of you contribution is used for relief aid.
www.catholicrelief.org
"This is becoming close to unfathomable. My husband and I really want to help out financially, but it's hard to know which aid organization is the best to give to. We were thinking Oxfam America, but I'm willing to entertain suggestions from fellow FReepers as well...I just want my money going to the place that it most useful right now."
Hugh Hewitt likes these guys - World Vision
http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=10025&item=1168287&lid=tsunami_donate&lpos=main1text
I was thinking I was a little ahead to finally donate some to freerepublic after donating $300.00 to the Red Cross this year, but it looks like I will have to make another donation to the Red Cross. Hope you understand Jim Robinson.
Hugh Hewitt spoke highly of World Vision (www.worldvision.org) as being a very honest, respected and efficient faith based aid group, indicating over 90% of your donation will go to good use. Stay way from the Red Cross, that's for sure...
One charity that flies food and medicine is Americares
http://www.americares.org/
Samaritan's Purse (Franklin Graham's organization)has set up an on-line donation area for tsunami relief. Their address is www.samaritanspurse.org.
An excellent organization!
Giving money is not a wise option. Cash will never reach any of the victims. The "Oil for Food" program clearly shows how "cash" works in thug nations.
Yes, this is a tragedy, but all cash will do is line a corrupt official's pocket. Unless somebody can physically go there and help, like some medical volunteers do, your cash to any organization will be wasted.
I gave to http://www.worldvision.org. I hear they are very reputable. I don't know if you are a Hugh Hewitt fan, but he also recommends them.