"don't donate to Japan"

[steve75]

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/03/14/dont-donate-money-to-japan/

what do people make of this?

I have to agree to an extent. I know it's hard to see the pictures on the news and not donate but Japan is not a poor country, and it is times like this where other parts of the world who are in a much longer term need would appear to lose out.

that being said, I don't really no enough about the charities of the world to fledge a full argument either way, just thought it was an interesting read.

[Woody1985]

What a patronising Dick.

I'm sure that Japan's economy isn't as booming as it was a few weeks ago, hundreds of billions of dollars lost. Whole towns wiped out, no electricity in places and the need for thousands of new houses and improved infrastructure.

Yes, there may be more places in urgent need but who is he to order me or anyone else not to give money where we choose.

Mr I've just gave 400 dollars, look at me, look at me. What a cock.

Admittedly I've not given anything to Japan or other charities on a regular basis other than cancer research and I even stopped that cos they spammed me with mailings constantly telling me how to live my life or to ask for more money. It felt like what I was giving was wasted.

Huge one off events like this will always encourage people to give when they normally wouldn't. It's human nature.

[ArabHibee]

I find that weird what you say about Cancer Research Woody, I've given to them on a regular basis for well over 10 years and never had any issues with spam or junk mail.

Mind you, I probably signed up before the tinternet was as prolific as it is now.:greengrin

[Woody1985]

Honestly Susan, I got one or two letters every month. Felt like a waste of time. I understood why they were doing it.

I then got letters saying the noticed I cancelled my direct debit and sent me another ddi to complete. It was getting tedious.

[Alec Splode]

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/03/14/dont-donate-money-to-japan/

what do people make of this?
.

The blog's written by someone called Felix Salmon who wears red glasses and should therefore be ignored imo.

[matty_f]

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/03/14/dont-donate-money-to-japan/

what do people make of this?

I have to agree to an extent. I know it's hard to see the pictures on the news and not donate but Japan is not a poor country, and it is times like this where other parts of the world who are in a much longer term need would appear to lose out.

that being said, I don't really no enough about the charities of the world to fledge a full argument either way, just thought it was an interesting read.

I can see the point he's making, I don't know enough about the impact on Japan's economy, nor on the expense of the operation to restore things in the effected areas to be able to say with any great authority whether or not the author is correct, though.

I certainly think that donating to a charity that covers a range of issues, including helping those at need in Japan, is a sensible idea though.

[Beefster]

I think he makes a perfectly valid point. Aside from the wealth of Japan, some charities jump on disasters to justify their existence whilst some charities, that do the most help in the most places, like MSF struggle to raise money by refusing to exploit natural disasters.

[Woody1985]

Maybe msf aren't doing themselves justice. Perhaps if they did it might give them the chance to raise awareness of their charity and get more regular donations.

[Phil D. Rolls]

I can't see any problem with the advice this guy is giving. He seems to have two main points: firstly, Japan is not asking for this aid, and is wealthy enough to cope with what is happening - it is not a developing country and will survive; second, organisations callling for aid have no clear plan for what they are going to do with the money and will probably end up tying up funds that can't be diverted elsewhere.

It is human nature to want to help those in need. It is also human nature to run around like headless chickens and panic. I'd rather my charity money goes to someone like the Red Cross that can take an objective, global view of how to allocate funds. Rather some people who know doubt mean well, but are doing more harm than good.

[hibsbollah]

His analysis is fine, but the headline and overall message is nauseating. My daughters primary school is having a bake sale this friday to raise money for the japanese red cross...these acts are good for the giver, good for the recipient and teach empathy. Perhaps they shouldnt bother?

The problem with disaster appeals is too many small charities parachuting into disaster zones without sufficient knowledge or resources to cope (many of the well meaning US charities that descended on Haiti ended up needing to be rescued themselves) so hes spot on there...But you dont solve that problem by NOT GIVING to appeals, thats just nonsense.