Top 10 Myths of Disaster Relief

World Vision ^ | January 2, 2005 | World Vision

[guitarist]

 
 

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Top 10 Myths of Disaster Relief Aid Groups Address Public Stereotypes About Overseas Disasters To: National and International Desks Contact: Sheryl Watkins (253) 815-2246 (office); (888) 787-3056 (pager) Brian Peterson, (407) 445-6484 (office); (407) 491-2399 (cell) Steve Quant, (253) 815-2652 (office); (206) 910-5949 (cell) Dean R. Owen, (253) 815-2103 (office); (888) 734-8938 (pager) Amy Parodi, (253) 815-2386 (office); (253) 709-3190 (cell) SEATTLE, Jan. 2 /Christian Wire Service/ -- As they fight to save lives in the wake of the Asia disaster, aid workers also must address myths about disaster relief among the American public. Rich Moseanko, a relief director for World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, explains the truth behind the top 10 myths of disaster relief. 1. Americans can help by collecting blankets, shoes and clothing The cost of shipping these items – let alone the time it takes to sort, pack and ship them – is prohibitive. Often, those items are manufactured for export to the U.S. from these same countries. It is far more efficient to purchase them locally. Cash is the better solution. 2. Helping the living always has priority over burying the dead In refugee camps and epidemic situations where people die of diseases, it is essential to dispose of the bodies within a short period of time. If they died of other causes such as drowning, they are less of a health risk but pose an impediment to relief efforts and delay the mourning process. 3. The United States must airlift food and medicines to the disaster site Food is virtually always available within a day’s drive of the disaster site. Purchasing the food locally is more cost-efficient, and it ensures that the food is appropriate to local residents’ tastes and religious requirements. Medicines are often available within the country, too. India, for example, has a large pharmaceutical industry. Because medicines are high-value, low-weight commodities, in some cases they can and must be airlifted in to save lives. In massive disasters, it sometimes is necessary to airlift other supplies as well. 4. If I send cash, my help won’t get there Reputable agencies send 80 percent or more of cash donations to the disaster site; the rest goes for administration, operating expenses and monitoring the efficiency of their own operations. Donors have a right and a responsibility to ask aid groups how they will be using those donations, and what will be done with donations raised in excess of the need. 5. Once someone survives the immediate disaster, he or she is safe The immediate catastrophe kills quickly; survivors can face a slower death from hunger, disease and even criminal predators. While emergency medical teams certainly are needed for people injured in a disaster, the best way to keep survivors healthy is to provide clean water and adequate sanitation. Cholera and dysentery can result from drinking contaminated water; malaria-spreading mosquitoes breed in standing water. 6. Developing countries depend on foreign expertise While specialized assistance is always welcome, most relief and recovery efforts are accomplished by local aid groups, police, firefighters and neighbors before international teams arrive. Also, in recent years most governments have established disaster preparedness plans. 7. Relief needs are so intense that almost anyone can fly to the scene to offer help Professionals with specialized skills and overseas disaster experience are often deployed to disaster sites. Volunteers without those skills can do more harm than good, and siphon off critical logistics and translations services. Hiring qualified disaster survivors is much more cost efficient and provides much needed employment. 8. Survivors feel lucky to be alive Shock, trauma and the mourning for loved ones who died are common among disaster survivors. Often, they wish it was they who died instead of their loved ones. Treating these emotional needs is an essential component of relief efforts. 9. Insurance and governments can cover losses The vast majority of the world’s population has never heard of an insurance policy. Further, governments of poor countries can barely meet ongoing social service needs, let alone provide a safety net like FEMA. Disaster survivors must bear these costs alone. 10. People are helpless in the face of natural disasters The United States is proof that tougher building codes, early warning and disaster preparedness can save lives. Even in poor countries, communities are taking steps to mitigate the loss of life in future emergencies. For more information on World Vision’s response, or on ways the public can help, please visit www.worldvision.org, or phone 888-56-CHILD. World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty.

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[guitarist]

Good, practical info here.

[Hildy]

8. Survivors feel lucky to be alive Shock, trauma and the mourning for loved ones who died are common among disaster survivors. Often, they wish it was they who died instead of their loved ones. Treating these emotional needs is an essential component of relief efforts.

Survivor's guilt. I've seen it.

[Theresawithanh]

Thanks for posting this. Good advice. I've sent cash contributions, and I am glad I did.

[gridlock]

Good advice on the blankets, shoes and clothing. Items gathered here will never get there in time to be any use, and the cost of shipping will far outweigh their value.

[Bob J]

Excellent info, thanks.

[writer33]

"The United States is proof that tougher building codes, early warning and disaster preparedness can save lives. Even in poor countries, communities are taking steps to mitigate the loss of life in future emergencies."

Amen.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Just call me cynical...I just trust less and less charities and relief organizations and even less the governments where we send the money to. Also, my resentment is getting in the way when we donate millions to countries who hate us or want to kill us...Right now, I'm not really in the mood to hear " but the people need help, they aren't the government." I can't figure out why we send money to Palestine ( for example.

My only reason I can see to send money to these areas is that we fear the whole economy collapsing and that effecting us or resulting in more terrorists. Maybe I'll come out of my cynism at some point.

[Redbob]

Thank you for that important formatting information.

</sarcasm>

[writer33]

"My only reason I can see to send money to these areas is that we fear the whole economy collapsing and that effecting us or resulting in more terrorists. Maybe I'll come out of my cynism at some point."

You're justified.

[ddantas]

Also, my resentment is getting in the way when we donate millions to countries who hate us or want to kill us

I have no problem at all with donating for purely medical aid in countries who hate us. Any other response would be incompatible with my faith.

[Mogger]

"My only reason I can see to send money to these areas is that we fear the whole economy collapsing and that effecting us or resulting in more terrorists. Maybe I'll come out of my cynism at some point."

Ditto. You're justified.

I've absolutely had it with sending our dough overseas.

Let them fend for themselves.

No matter what we do we are hated for it, so to hell with doing anything.

[ddantas]

My only reason I can see to send money to these areas is that we fear the whole economy collapsing and that effecting us or resulting in more terrorists.

I think that expanding free trade with those areas is more useful for opening their societies to freedom than any amount of foreign aid. But I've also been reading far too much of "The Economist" magazine.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Sending ungrateful countries who hate us and dance in the streets when we had 9-11 is over the top for me. We then behave like a co-dependent, enabling these morons. Let me get this right...
A)if we don't give them aid and they become commies or rabid terrorists, its because we were selfish and don't care about the oppressed and poor.
B) If we give them aid and they become commies or hate us, its because we tried to buy them and we failed and they hate us for that.

DUH! This seems like I am working my a.. off to pay taxes to get results that I don't want for my country. HMMMM...

[shubi]

Its not entirely cynicism. Bandeh Aceh was a terrorist base used to foment insurrection, establish Shariah law as a semi-independent government and murder Christians.

Why we would help re-establish that is beyond me.

[cherry]

I 'm pretty cynical too.....now my latest cynicism is placed at local food banks, because we have relatives that have a friend that gets this stuff and just brings them all kinds of food items that are surplus.....good stuff too....

so, why am I donating food items to food banks if certain people end up with a lot of the stuff even when they don't need it?

there does come a point, however, where you just have to have faith that whatever you do, will do some good.....

[ForGod'sSake]

Good, practical info here.

Bump to that.

FGS

[Straight Vermonter]

9. Insurance and governments can cover losses
The vast majority of the world’s population has never heard of an insurance policy. Further, governments of poor countries can barely meet ongoing social service needs, let alone provide a safety net like FEMA. Disaster survivors must bear these costs alone.

Insurance is against the laws of Islam. Allah doesn't want you to be insured.

[Steve0113]

Insurance is against the laws of Islam. Allah doesn't want you to be insured.

Could you explain, please?

[Straight Vermonter]

All is the will of Allah. If Allah wants you and your children to die of starvation or cholera why should this be of any concern to you?


Read about it here

http://www.islam.org.au/articles/19/insurance.htm