The term denotes the slow influx of aid and donations form countries that used to be generous enough to send billions of dollars to countries that have been devastated by disasters like the recent catastrophes in Myanmar and China. The government has sent aid but for most of the private individuals who used to give a buck or two to help people rebuild their lives, donations are relatively small compared to other disasters on record. Maybe its the recent financial crunch that has many either fearing the loss of their jobs in the coming months or maybe just that they are quite fed up with the situation as in Myanmar with the government committing crimes against humanity by refusing to help their own residents. They initially refused to accept aid from Western nations saying they had the capacity to do it on their own, but as the obvious became apparent and they finally let some aid in the officials of the Military Junta began to stockpile imported aid for their own sending rotten stores to their citizens.
This is a sad yet true story for even the most generous people do have to deal with their own financial woes. China, which has spent billions of dollars in developing and constructing new structures (airport, athletic venues and other such Olympic aimed infrastructures), has appealed for aid from the outside world countering their previous denial for aid. Myanmar which showcases everything as normal even with the rest of the world saying and knowing it isn’t is truly hypocrisy in the highest levels. With thousands of corpses lining rivers and villages, and with no immediate sanitary way of dealing with them the threat of epidemics is high and possible.
People will continue to give like they have always done in the human tragedies of past but world wide economic slowdown may make it more difficult for those who give and receive aid. People are also frustrated that even with the billions in aid being sent to areas and people in need, their government’s themselves fail to take up the cause of helping their own. The world is filled with compassionate and caring individuals that allow us to remain human, compassionate and ever helpful.
A reality that has to be accepted is that these people will have to do the healing by themselves and that is by far the only certainty in this disaster plagued world. The resilience of humans has amazed us in all of the world’s disasters from then till now, let us just hope we as a part of the human race continue to help each other in spite of political, ideological and other differences.
The Limited Choices of People Seeking Aid
Around the world, it cannot be denied that there are a lot of people who are experiencing poverty and issues regarding their manner of living. A lot would depend on where they are situated, the country and of course the manner of living that majority of the region is experiencing. Not all countries are blessed with a good economy to which people can find a way to survive with the available jobs to choose from. Some are just plain unlucky to be situated in them like Vietnam, Africa and so on.
The good thing about the world is that people from other countries do not hesitate to lend a helping hand to the best of their abilities. Help in any form cannot be measured and people in need do not really have much choice. Hence beggars really cannot be choosers in this case.
Help in the form of food, clothing and other materials essential for living is being sent to most parts of the world. Some would even render volunteer work and services just to reach them. In a sense, they can call themselves lucky that there are people who still care for what the world has to deal with today.
Warning for those who want to donate to the people of Myanmar
Many feel frustrated at news that the government is still refusing some of the best agencies and their staff to enter the country to do proper relief work on behalf of the suffering people of Myanmar. Citizens in the capital have been trying to take supplies they can get to areas that need it but even they say that they can only do so much. Donations are flooding in from all over the world but aid agencies are raising a warning for those who want to donate cash through online charities. There is very little in terms of funds and materials that are getting into the country that many criminals may jump onto the donation bandwagon to get an easy buck. Try to donate only with legitimate aid agencies like the UN and other widely accepted charities. As we have said, it is better to send money to those who could put it to good use in helping the people of Myanmar and not into the pockets of these lowly criminals.
Channel donations in terms of cash and materials through the Charity Navigator which has a list of the most reputable agencies. Also, when helping by donating, indicate if you’d want the cash to be spent totally in relief efforts to a specific location or for general use. If a donation has no specifics, the aid agency has the ability to keep it in funds that accumulate and are used in case of disasters, or they can be poured directly into the country or specific area you want to help.
We simply cannot fathom the greed of such people who for a small amount of money deprive those in need who are dying and suffering in those far away, ands without food and water. May you get the heart to return or at least send the money to the rightful people who can make an impact and help people and remember that you might yourself need help from people who are generous and don’t have second thoughts when people and lives are at stake.
Charities… For Real!!!!! ( Part 1)
There are millions upon millions of charities out there and the new year is the best time to begin with a helping hand to those who needs it the most. True, charity should have no suspicion and other nuances but with the many fraudsters out there, one simply does not know whom they can trust to get their money to those they aim to help.
Best to get information from the many online charity organizations and web sites to get a glimpse at the scope and type of work the said charity does for your country of choice or target field. You can check out America’s Charities, Give.org, The Charity Navigator, Just Give.org, The Angel Network among some of the many charity resources out there that can help you in your quest to a more oriented and hassle-free drive to help others.
Ask your family and friends if they have knowledge in the area and to allow you to get more of the localized resources available. Don’t have much to give but still want to help and have spare time? Donate your time and help make the world a better place. There are many charities that allow volunteers to play parts in their various activities. Volunteer your services which may prove to be indispensable during their many outreach programs. Mostly any skills can have a place in charitable organizations, many of which rely on other people like you to provide the bulk of their manpower needs.
Still not sure who to trust? Ask the government social services organizations or other Non-Government Organizations on who they work with (many of them work in coordination with others to provide or make up for needed resources). Companies who have or sponsor charities are more likely to get help from the government in the form of many benefits which can be seen in the many tax-deductions and other perks.