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A lot of good can be accomplished if things get to the troubled spots NOW, rather than waiting for fundraising to be accomplished.>>

I will put aside for a moment the issue of whether one agrees on the MORALITY of the government taking money by taxation and disbursing it in a manner it has no legal (read "Constitutional") right to do.

The premise of your statement that the US Gov't is more efficient and speedy than the public in raising and disbursing funds than private organizations has to win some sort of idiot prize. I am sure you are intelligent, and just responding out of emotion and genuine sympathy for the plight of those poor people, but that is what emotion and handwringing does in times of extremity. It makes people who are otherwise prudent and wise in charitable giving to endorse sheer stupidity in fear of being thought heartless.

If you really believe your premise, I suggest you make a donation to the US Treasury with a notation on the check that it is for "Sumatra Relief" and ask them to track how much of the money gets there, and how quickly. (hint: World Vision will do precisely that for you).
Private charities such as Samaritan's Purse, World Vision, CARE, The Salvation Army, Red Cross/Red Crescent, Oxfam, and even my own private charitable trust here in Durham NC are FAR more efficient than any government in getting funds disbursed to who needs them.

I never, never, never stated that the US governemnt is more efficient. However, I have implied that it can mobilize with certain essential pieces of equipment better than any private firms.

Do you know of any private firms that have several large scale water purification systems that are operating, on a ship and ready to go??

Because if you do, I'd like to make my donation to them.

But if not, I'd rather have the US military put their water purification systems into operation, where it is needed, as soon as possible, to avoid a cholera pandemic.

Secondly, there are political situations in these areas, notably the Tamil Tigers, who may hamper relief distribution unless such shipments have some protection. Maybe you don't understand that the 'Salvation Army' doesn't actually own any guns.

Yes, private firms are more efficient, but they are unable to mobilize as quickly as the US military and they lack certain key capabilities. Your private donation is considerably less valuable without the military's capabilities.