As with everyone I am deeply saddened by disasters like this
But...
I am also quite deeply angered by almost every single charity out there who are making Fortunes out of these sad situations!
For example the recent "Net Result" drive to provide 1 million mosquito nets to families in Africa...
They stated there that each mosquito net cost £5 to deliver.
Even if each one cost £0.50 to buy and I am sure they could easily be bought for less in this quantity.
Ok some quick figures:
Nets £500,000.00
UK Port Deliv. £30,000.00
Shipping £323,950.00
Distribution £30,000.00
TV + Adds etc £1,000,000.00
Total Cost £1,883,950.00
Charity Profit: £3,116,050
All fairly rough of course, but allowing a big margin of error, the Charity did Real well!!!
The law here in the UK states it is ok for a charity to work as such as long as 10% of all funds received make it directly to the end cause!
Crazy >_<
Don't get me wrong, I am Not saying don't donate as many I am sure operate above the 10% rate. Charities do do a Lot of good, I just think they need better regulation.
My bro did a charity run to Russia (you'd might be surprised how badly it was needed!!!!!!) some years before the Berlin wall came down etc
On his 1st run he did it with the Red Cross
After that he swore he would Never work with them again due to the Huge amounts of money they wasted unnecessarily and immediately set up his own charity on return from the trip.
He carried on his successful work for many years after till he settled down and did the family thing. He put every penny he got into it and had the pleasure of improving a great many peoples lives + got to travel and make great new friends.
I'd love to see charities giving closer to 50% of money received directly into the cause they are supporting.
One more thing on the Red Cross: They wasted money on his joint mission he saw by paying every bribe they were asked for, 90% of which could have been avoided with a little effort. In Russia border guards always try it on. The Red Cross on his mission didn't even question it at all and just handed over the demanded cash each time. They can afford it, but this makes smaller charities work Much harder as the border guards then come to expect it >_<
Also the Red Cross must be respected for the great work they do do and are one of the most recognised organisations in the world and can bring Much needed help to desperate people in parts of the world where No other charity can gain access!
Sorry for the Long one, but is an issue that touches me some!