When one gives through the church relief organizations, generally every penny goes directly to the cause. The administrative expenses are absorbed by the organization itself from other funds donated to the churches.
Hi kayak. I think what you say is probably true. When a charity becomes a business, it should automatically become suspect and held to account for all its funding and "administrative" expenses, to ensure that ALL or a HUGE portion of the money its collecting is actually being used for the purpose(s) for which it solicits that money.