Myths of Aid
Media contacts
| Laura Blank 708.872.5265 |  | Amy Parodi 253.709.3190 |
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MYTH #1: In a disaster response, relief efforts are uncoordinated, chaotic, and haphazard.
Following a disaster, it is common to read reports of too much aid reaching one location, and not enough reaching another, or of a community receiving triple rations of food but no water. Over recent decades, relief agencies and local governments have become more intentional about coordination. Still, gaps remain, and are intensified by the severity of the disaster; number, size, and experience level of responding agencies; and functionality of local infrastructure and services. Coordination is central to improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of an emergency response and reducing burden on recovering communities ... Read MoreMYTH #2: Aid agencies are not accountable or transparent.
Accountability is a responsibility and one that professional humanitarian agencies take seriously. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Humanitarian Code of Conduct, aid agencies are accountable to “both those we seek to assist and those from whom we accept resources.” World Vision is currently compliant with every relevant donor accountability standard ... Read moreMYTH #3: Good intentions are enough to provide valuable help during a disaster.
The days and weeks following a major natural disaster often bring an immediate outpouring of generosity from the public and a swell of interest from journalists to cover the story. A common desire is to do more than donate funds; well-intended people from all walks of life want to become involved, doing everything from organizing a local food or clothing drive, to actually traveling to the disaster site in hopes of providing additional on-the-ground assistance ... Read MoreMYTH #4: Aid agencies should spend donations as quickly as possible to address immediate needs.
When images of destruction and despair in the wake of a disaster are splashed across the world, the natural reaction is to want to help as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Certainly recovery and rescue efforts, as well-as getting life-saving food, water, shelter, and medical care to survivors, must be accomplished as quickly as possible. However, aid will also be needed in the months and even years ahead; experienced aid agencies know they must plan to meet both the present and the future needs of a community seeking to recover from a disaster ... Read moreMYTH #5: The more money raised, the faster the response.
There is a tendency to simplify humanitarian aid and assume that the more money that is raised, the faster and less complex the response will be. However, money is not the only resource needed when it comes to a disaster response. Unfortunately, natural disasters and humanitarian crises are by their very nature complex situations which take more than money to fix. No matter how generous donors are, myriad factors can delay work in the field ... Read moreMedia contacts
- Johnny Cruz
- National director
- Email Johnny
- 253.815.2072 (o)
- 206.653.4689 (c)
- Amy Parodi
- Seattle bureau
- Domestic news & operations
- Email Amy
- 253.709.3190 (c)
- Laura Blank
- International news
- Disaster response
- Email Laura
- 708.872.5265 (c)
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