Responding to Disaster: Give Generously & Effectively Judy O. Haselhoef - Journal Sentinel
go to original May 10, 2015

Nepal's main orthopedic hospital is struggling to treat the huge number of patients suffering from bone injuries caused by the April 25 earthquake. Nathan Frandino reports. (Reuters)

Nepal is victim to a natural disaster, and, thankfully, the world is responding generously. While the Nepalese set their tents up on streets, reminiscent of Haiti in 2010, the international community already has pledged support. Charities have their websites updated and their donate buttons highlighted ready to divert resources to the immediate need.

Hundreds of thousands were killed during the 7.0 magnitude quake in Haiti five years ago. The world pledged $9 billion to "build back better." However, only 6% of the money reached the intended victims. "We found that about 94% of humanitarian funding went to donors' own civilian and military entities, U.N. agencies, international NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) and private contractors. In addition, 36% of recovery grants went to international NGOs and private contractors, " according to The Guardian's Jan. 14, 2013, story.

Jonathan Katz, a former AP correspondent in Haiti, and author or "The Big Truck That Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster," said, "Aid goes to priorities that the donors think are important, but are not necessarily the ones that truly are most important on the ground or is wanted by the local people."

Are there lessons to be learned by Nepal or the next recipient for international relief? Fearfully so — since Haiti's earthquake, there is no real change in the way that relief agencies treat sufferers of natural disasters. That lack of action puts the burden on well-meaning donors to make sure their dollars are used effectively.

In Nepal, that's not easy.

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