May 13, 2008
Donors Need 'Emergency Help' in Deciding How to Aid Myanmar
Donors need more help deciding where to give during big natural disasters like the cyclone that hit Myanmar, the GiveWell Blog argues.
“Google ‘Myanmar’ and you’ll see a huge list of organizations advertising for donations,” writes Holden Karnofsky, a program officer at GiveWell, a grant maker that publicizes its evaluations of nonprofit groups. “I don’t know whether they’re coordinating on the ground, but they’re certainly competing when it comes to raising money—and donors, including myself, have virtually nothing to go on in picking one.”
Mr. Karnofsky says he participated in a conference call about the Myanmar disaster hosted by Arabella Advisors, a firm that advises philanthropists. The callers were urged to consult a list of charities vetted by InterAction, the coalition of American relief groups. But that list offered 46 organizations to choose from — and the vetting standards focus on accounting and governance, not on the charities’ track record in previous disasters, he says.
“Right now, I believe that donors need emergency help,” he writes.“We need to help well-meaning people help others, by understanding that they don’t have a preexisting wealth of knowledge about Myanmar, that they don’t have a preexisting commitment to and knowledge of the best aid organizations, by understanding that they just want to help in the best way possible — and therefore, by giving substantive, well-supported, specific recommendations for where to give.”
Do you agree that donors need more guidance on how to help during natural disasters? What is the best way for people to decide where to give?
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It is more than just a question of whether the charities have a proven track record in delivering aid effectively.
It is also a question of whether those NGOs have experience and partners on the ground inside Burma (Myanmar). NGOs without that experience are more likely to have their aid stuck at the dock or misappropriated by Burma’s ruling generals. However, some NGOs – mostly small ones – already have visas, local partners, and the skill to move money and aid into Burma bypassing the military regime. Thirst Aid is just one example.
On top of this, the problem is not one of insufficient aid. The aid is piling up at Burma’s borders. The problem is the Burmese regime’s mismanagement, diversion, and – to be frank – theft of the aid that it deigns to accept.
To overcome the problem of the regime, just providing aid is not enough. There’s a need to organize increasing pressure on the regime to allow access to aid workers to do their jobs without interference. Organizations, such as the U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Burma Campaign UK, are running an increasingly effective campaign to press the UN and national governments (particularly Burma’s neighbors) to force the regime to allow access for aid. That is much more effective in the immediate and long-term to aid the Burmese people affected by the cyclone.
— Simon Billenness May 13, 02:45 PM #
Times of crisis have often brought people together to help those in need. We’ve seen this with 9/11, Katrina, the Tsunami and now again with the cyclone that hit Myanmar. Nonprofit organizations, particularly those providing support for victims of disaster have an obligation to make sure the money and aid they receive is being used in the most effective and impactful ways possible. Until non-profit organizations are held accountable to their efforts as related to their desired outcomes – and not only by their good intentions – it is imperative that donors ask the right questions. Before we open our hearts and pocketbooks to help those in need in Myanmar, lets make sure our donations will make a difference.
Donors must consider the following questions before deciding which organization is best suited for his/her support.
-Is the mission of the organization aligned to what they intend for the donation?
-Has this organization demonstrated an ability to perform? If so, what positive change has this organization affected in the past?
-What resources are available to the organization such as people and money to ensure that aid will be properly distributed and provided to those in need?
The answers to these questions will help donors determine which organization is in the best position to help, and will thereby have the most positive impact on change.
— Steve Butz. Founder & President Social Solutions May 13, 04:58 PM #