RELIEF EXPERTS CALL FOR "RESPONSIBLE RESPONSE"
Cash, not 'stuff,' needed most urgently in South Asia
Baltimore, January 3, 2005 -- To seasoned relief and development workers, the 'feel good' news stories of Americans emptying out their attics and garages, filling bags and boxes with clothing and household items bound for South Asia could be another disaster in the making.
"We're urging members of the media everywhere, from major television news programs to local radio stations, newspapers and even church newsletters to harness the power of their media to set the record straight - what survivors in South Asia need most of all right now is for concerned citizens to send cash donations to reputable organizations working in the areas affected," was the explanation begun by Lisa Bonds, VP or External Relations at Lutheran World Relief, (LWR), a highly rated sixty year-old international relief and development organization. "The nonprofits that work in the field, our partners there and even the U.S. Government have been saying since day one not to send clothes and canned food and other household items," she continued, calling for a 'responsible response.' "We get word from the governments of the affected countries, and from humanitarian organizations in those countries exactly what is needed. So far, none have requested tons of used clothing," she concluded.
"There's a reason organizations who have been responding to disasters for decades didn't begin canned food drives this week," comments Barbara Wetsig, Associate Director for Asia for Lutheran World Relief. "Well meaning Americans want to 'do something,' and that's more than just writing a check or donating online with a credit card," continues Wetsig, whose organization has taken in more than $4.5 million in much-needed cash since launching its WAVE OF GIVING™ campaign December 29th. "These 'nonprofits' who opened for business last week to start collecting their neighbors' clothing and dry food and bottled water are soon going to create more work for weary relief agencies on the ground in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Already we've read reports from the press in India of 100-pound bales of clothing being discarded along the road there to make room on supply vehicles for water purification equipment, food rations and medical equipment," Wetsig added.
North Americans' desire to help after Hurricane Mitch, for example, generated tons and tons of clothing and bottled water and canned food that was not, or could not be used by those it was intended for. Stories of a port in Honduras clogged with clothing and other 'material aid,' as it's called in relief circles, told sad tales of the delay in getting vital machinery and water pipes to affected communities due to the massive tonnage of unwanted materials that showed up there.
"Some of these groups that sprout up overnight to ship boxes and bags of materials to disaster stricken areas lack the proper paperwork to get the materials through the port, with no clear, specific destination except for the country itself," added Steve Bruno, Material Aid Manager for LWR. "It's far more complicated than that," he continued. "There's also the issue of the cost of transporting the materials once they do clear the port, and the manpower to load and unload it. And that's not to mention the poor conditions of the roads and the sheer number of vehicles trying to navigate them to deliver life-saving supplies in the weeks following a disaster," Bruno added. "People in South Asia need water and food and medical care right now," he said.
According to Bruno, and other relief and development organizations, there's a right way to do material aid. In October, 2004, LWR fulfilled a request from their partner in India for 111 tons of handmade quilts – made by Lutherans throughout North America. "They have specific needs for these colorful quilts," says Bruno, who says they're used in hospitals and clinics throughout India. As recently as December, 186 tons of quilts, clothing and layettes arrived in Thailand for the agency's work in the northern part of the country with refugees.
Cash, most major relief and development organizations say, is the best way to respond to disasters like South Asia's earthquake and tsunami. Cash has no shipping costs, can be wired to agencies and governments in affected countries immediately, can be used to obtain culture-specific and culture-appropriate items, and stimulates those cultures' economies that are struggling to get back on their feet. "Cash may seem less personal than sending tangible items - and we've all felt the need to do that," adds Bonds. "But if people really want to help the survivors and those on-site assisting them, and not make that already difficult task more so, then they must realize how cash, at least in Phase One efforts, is the only 'responsible response,' available. If you don't have the money, they certainly can use your prayers."
WAVE OF GIVING™: The need for relief is undeniable. The need for long-term assistance also is a necessity. Lutheran World Relief launched a long-term rebuilding effort for the countries of South Asia affected by what some people have termed the worst disaster in history. The initiative seeks to raise at least $5 million dollars to rebuild lives, create livelihoods and restore dignity to millions affected by the tragic events of December 26th.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS MATCHING GRANT: Thrivent Financial has established a $2 million matching grant benefiting WAVE OF GIVING™. The matching grant is extended to all 2.8 million Thrivent Financial members across the country. Thrivent Financial member donations to Lutheran World Relief will be matched $1 for $1 through April 15, 2005, up to $2 million. As a result, a total of $5 million will benefit tsunami victims ($1 million gift; $2 million matching dollars; $2 million in member contributions).
Become a Thrivent Member at http://www.thrivent.com/joinus
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.
