the journey: How to give smart (and compassionate) help to the tsunami victims

By David Batstone

Over the past ten days I have conducted a very unscientific poll (Read: asking questions of friends and acquaintances over a cuppa joe) to uncover how they are responding to the catastrophe in Asia. Though the mere mention of the tsunami elicits a pained expression for nearly everyone, a sizeable cut of the "poll" subjects have yet to send in donations for emergency relief.

Two concerns pop up consistently among those who have not yet acted. There is widespread concern that the funds one donates will not reach the actual victims, and will get lost in an administrative black hole. That's not an irrational fear. The same malfeasance that took root in the corporate world found its niche in several large aid and relief agencies. Who wasn't shocked by the revelations that leaked out of the Red Cross over the past couple of years? The Red Cross, of course, has done considerable work since to fix what was broken.

The other concern among reluctant donors is how "effective" their gift will be. Donors have a heightened interest these days in making sure that they are part of fixing problems. That makes raising funds for disaster relief exceptionally difficult.

Indeed, the goal is to work toward solutions. In the wake of a disaster like what took place in Asia the final week of 2004, however, development and aid works most "effectively" when it makes a priority of the needs and delivers material assistance with a long-term vision in mind. In times of crisis, the most credible relief organizations are those that already were on the ground in affected communities before the disaster struck.

A smart (and compassionate) aid agency will respond to a crisis with three key phases. The first phase is emergency relief. People have lost their homes, their livelihood, and are on the edge of survival. Immediate food and medical supplies are critical.

The second phase is reconstruction. A good deal of the critical infrastructure in the affected areas of Asia were wiped out. In order to alleviate the demand for emergency aid, reconstruction efforts are primary. A good relief organization will know which systems - sewage, water, housing, food sources - must be replaced, and in what order of priority.

The third phase is sustainable development. Here is where the credible development organization offers a plan for community education, nutrition, health care, appropriate technology, microenterprise, et al.

In consideration of the above, Sojourners is partnering with two faith-based relief organizations to deliver assistance to the victims of the tsunami in Asia: Jesuit Refugee Service and World Vision.

Long before this tragedy, both organizations had a strong presence in Sri Lanka and Indonesia among the poorest of the poor. Jesuit Refugee Service, for instance, had established strong, viable projects among displaced communities in these respective regions. They are now in "phase 1" of their relief efforts, delivering "emergency relief kits." And long after the media coverage is gone, Jesuit Refugee Service will be seeding sustainable development projects. Remarkably, 100% of your donations will reach the victims in Asia. In other words, no agency costs will be deducted.

World Vision has long had a presence in Asia as well with 3,700 staff, most of them members of local communities. They are now leading relief efforts, such as establishing 20 children's centers in Indonesia with special tents where traumatized children can receive physical and psychological support. Meanwhile, relief supplies - tarpaulins, sarongs, kitchen utensils, buckets, and other necessities - are heading toward the devastated province of Aceh in two cargo ships supplied by World Vision.

World Vision has worked out the amount of money needed to supply a single family a "survival" kit, containing things like blankets, water purification tablets, and tarps for temporary shelter: A gift of $100 provides an entire family with the basics of survival. In the spirit of full disclosure, 87% of a gift to World Vision reaches a family in need. Frankly, that relatively low "administrative cost" helps pay for the infrastructure for World Vision to deliver enormous quantities of aid in quick fashion.

Sojourners urges you to give generously to Jesuit Refugee Service and World Vision. These faith-based organizations have become our hands to deliver the compassion that we all feel toward the homeless and hungry in Asia at this moment.