Michael Asks About Humanitarian Aid Organizations

Cee Harmon answers:

Hello Michael,

The Red Cross has more than 100 years of experience in helping those in disasters, from war zones to house fires. It is very careful to honor donor specifications for every gift. If you specify it will go to Haiti, it will.

In order to respond quickly to disasters, people and humanitarian aid resources already need to be in place. That means that BEFORE the earthquake, the Red Cross already had to have offices, people, and warehouses with supplies paid for.

Very little of that is donated spontaneously, because there is nothing in the news to encourage donations of necessary goods. The Red Cross constantly has to raise funds to purchase all this.

An office needs electricity, water, heat, computers, printers, software, etc. A warehouse needs electricity, climate control, forklifts, etc. Vehicles need gas, tires, maintenance, insurance, etc. Staff are needed to process and account for donations, order supplies, manage receipt and distribution, and coordinate volunteers and communications. They need living wages and health insurance.

All of these require money that cannot come from a restricted donation, and are all “administrative expenses.” This is why a general fund is critical to the running of a solid organization.

The Red Cross learned a lot from 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina humanitarian aid . There is a very sturdy internal control and ethics function, and every volunteer must pass a criminal background check.

Here is a featured video from the Red Cross along with some related articles:

Red Cross Shelter in Joplin, Missouri

Interviews with victims of the tornado that swept through the town of Joplin, Missouri. List yourself or search with Safe and Well.

More reading:

Press Release: Red Cross Responding in Communities throughout …

newsroom.redcross.org

Red Cross Responding in Communities throughout the State JACKSON, MS, Wednesday, December 26, 2012— JACKSON, MS, Thursday, December 27, 2012—The American Red Cross is responding today in communities …

STORY – American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

newsroom.redcross.org

Written by Michele Maki. Christmas came early this year. For a South River resident, it will be a Christmas to remember above all others. Kathleen Piscicelli from Middlesex County recounts the terrifying night that changed her …

LuLu’s helps serve tornado victims with the Red Cross | Fox10tv.com

www.fox10tv.com

Volunteers from LuLu’s are at the Red Cross assembling meals for victims of the Christmas tornado. The American Red Cross has had to deal with two local disasters and a disaster of their own. On December 20 a tornado hit …

Cee Harmon answers:

Hi Betty,

Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Nursing, or, you could write your own major, and incorporate classes from all of the majors mentioned…. Plus some economics, or business management and administration.