May 13th, 2008 by Rich
http://www.china-crossroads.com/index.php/2008/05/13/sichuan-earthquake-how-to-help-part-2/
In response to some questions from Elliot Ng at CN review (sorry if I beat you to the post Elliot), I spent some time to elaborate a bit more on how individuals/ companies can help. Which I have posted below. 1. How did you research ways to give or help out? What did you learn? What are good ways to help? What are bad ways? (like getting on a train to go to the affected areas to volunteer if you have no specialized skills)
Short term, China’s Red Cross is actively seeking CASH donations. For those who would like to donate equipment, please contact local Red Cross centers ahead of time before donating goods. Quite simply, donations of anything other than money require logistic support to collect, move, and distribute, so in this immediate period many NGOs are simply looking for cash to purchase goods locally. It is cheaper, it is faster, and it is more manageable.
However, if firms are manufacturers/ brands specializing in outdoor equipment, medicine, or other items that can help immediately house, feed, and medicate victims, I would suggest you speak to local/ regional NGOs and government agencies directly. You may be asked to provide your own logistical support to the area, or at the minimum to a collection point.
Long term, companies should look at providing long term support to aid, development, poverty alleviation, and reconstruction organizations - China Poverty Alleviation Fund, Woman’s Federation, Children’s Youth Development Fund, etc. as they will certainly be in need in the medium to long term. If your firm is already a partner with this group, call your contact person and ask them to keep you abreast of their needs. They probably at this point do not know their needs, so if they don’t have something on hand just let them know you are ready to help when they have a better handle on the situation
In my mind, the worst thing someone can do right now is to buy a ticket and go there to help. This is still a situation of search and rescue, and while sweat labor is indeed needed and the intent is appreciated, it is better to let authorities on the ground assess their needs, find support locally first, and then put the call out. This operation will largely be coordinated by the military and regional governments, and China has a long history of mobilizing huge numbers of troops and civilians in times like these. So, don’t just show up unannounced.
For those looking to volunteer, my suggestion is to wait a couple of weeks. I am personally following up with several NGOs now, and once we understand their needs, I will begin advertising on Hands On Shanghai (www.handsonshanghai.com) as that is an NGO devoted to managing volunteers on a large level, and we will - if asked - assist with volunteer support. Again, don’t just show up unannounced.
2. What 1-3 options do you recommend for people in China? and for people in the US? (may be same or different…maybe just different payment method).
Individuals in China/ US/ other
- Make a personal donation to an organization you are comfortable with. If you are not familiar with the Chinese NGOs, and prefer to give to international NGOs, then you can do so (I will provide list at bottom). IN large part, international NGOs work with local NGOs, and will provide technical assistance as needed.
Corporations in China
First, do what you can for your employees who are from the affected areas.
- Offer to send them home once possible
- give them extended leave to support them if they need to rebuild lives/ homes or relocate family members
- start an office pool to support coworkers with affected families.
Next, you can do any/ all of the following:
- Collect donations from employees and match it.
- Make product donation PLEDGES so that organizations know what you have to donate and can call on your firm when the products are needed
- Begin a process of developing a team of volunteers (8-10) and allocate 1-2 weeks per team. While I am not 100% sure that China will ask for, or allow, groups like Hands On or will have other organizations work on the management, be prepared to send people if the need is advertised. Support their costs, support their time off, and if possible match the human effort with a larger financial/ product effort as well
- Do not look at this as a short term cut a check and run. Make a commitment to a single organization and let them know you can support them in a holistic manner. NGOs/ Government Agencies have enough to worry about, and they need to know they have full support.
3. Why did you choose these options? What makes them effective and efficient? What assures you that they won’t waste the money?
this is a holistic plan that represents a sustained commitment, and it is what is needed. to simply donate a few thousand RMB is a great gesture, but the people affected really need a sustained commitment that not only alleviates the short term anguish of the situation, but also ensures their schools are back open in September.
On some level, there may be some wasted money. It is a very fluid situation right now, and things happen in those situations can occur that create/ result in waste. Many people fear that GONGOs are incapable of managing money or programs, and I have found that condition to be at present unfounded. 10 years ago, NGOs were a very different entity in China, but over the last 5-8 years a lot of international NGOs have created strong partnerships that really improved the quality of the people, the infrastructure, and the visibility of these groups.
4. How did you assure yourself that this is a trustworthy organization? Is there any 3rd party certification of the organization? What assures you that they won’t misuse the money?
You can use groups like Give 2 Asia and Global giving, but in many cases they will require a portion of the donation as a management fee. Giving to Red Cross is relatively risk free in my opinion at this time. It is an emergency situation, and everyone has one goal.
What assures me that they will not misuse money is that a lot of people will be carefully observing the spend to make sure that there are no problems. Things have changed
5. List of NGOs.
Short Term: China Charity Foundation, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, & Care for Children have both put out public asks and are well run organizations:
Long term (Chinese organizations): China Youth Development Fund, Woman’s Federation, Poverty Alleviation Fund
Long term (International organizations): Project Hope, Mercy Corps, Habitat 4 Humanity (Only if they announce China program)
- If you know of others (it is 4am right now), please post them in the comments section for me. I am doing my best to update as I can, but I hope you can assist as well
