Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
Wed Aug 30, 2017, 11:58 AM Aug 2017

Remember the scandal about the Red Cross, post Sandy?

I do not donate to them any longer because of this, and the horrible reports about them in Haiti.

The Red Cross botched key elements of its mission after Sandy and Isaac, leaving behind a trail of unmet needs and acrimony, according to an investigation by ProPublica and NPR. The charity’s shortcomings were detailed in confidential reports and internal emails, as well as accounts from current and former disaster relief specialists.

What’s more, Red Cross officials at national headquarters in Washington, D.C. compounded the charity’s inability to provide relief by “diverting assets for public relations purposes,” as one internal report puts it. Distribution of relief supplies, the report said, was “politically driven.”

During Isaac, Red Cross supervisors ordered dozens of trucks usually deployed to deliver aid to be driven around nearly empty instead, “just to be seen,” one of the drivers, Jim Dunham, recalls.

“We were sent way down on the Gulf with nothing to give,” Dunham says. The Red Cross’ relief effort was “worse than the storm.”

During Sandy, emergency vehicles were taken away from relief work and assigned to serve as backdrops for press conferences, angering disaster responders on the ground.
https://www.propublica.org/article/the-red-cross-secret-disaster

I did find other programs to donate to using charity screeners like these:

Global Giving, a group that vets local nonprofits and distributes funds to those that actually work.
https://www.globalgiving.org/

Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/


3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Remember the scandal about the Red Cross, post Sandy? (Original Post) dixiegrrrrl Aug 2017 OP
Thanks dixie saidsimplesimon Aug 2017 #1
Yes. My family's giving habits were formed in WWII marybourg Aug 2017 #2
I never ever give them money n/t malaise Aug 2017 #3

saidsimplesimon

(7,888 posts)
1. Thanks dixie
Wed Aug 30, 2017, 12:14 PM
Aug 2017

While the volunteers for the Red Cross are giving of themselves, I can not say the same for their management over the years. They do have excellent PR representation, at a pretty penny.

These are personal reasons, I believe my family members. I could go back to WWII. More recently, wasn't there a big story when The Red Cross did not want to distribute all the 9/11 contributions? How about the outrageous salary of Elizabeth Dole?

You have given good advise to find any charity before clicking on the link to a donation request.

marybourg

(12,639 posts)
2. Yes. My family's giving habits were formed in WWII
Wed Aug 30, 2017, 12:41 PM
Aug 2017

when the uncles returned from service in various battlefields, all praising the Salvation Army for being right in the front lines of battle, delivering free needed comforts, and scorning the Red Cross for hanging back well behind the lines, and charging the soldiers for coffee, snacks, books, etc.

I know some people object to the Salvation Army on religious and idealogical grounds, and I respect that, but the gratitude my (Jewish) family feels for the service they provided and the respect they deserve for their competence in disaster relief leads me to channel my donation to them.

No matter to whom we choose to give -- give! And give again in a month and in 3 months. And in a year. This is going to affect those people for many years to come.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Remember the scandal abou...