For better or for worse we have become an international community of care. We reach out collectively to those who are in dire need. Some countries have more than their share of natural disasters and their needs are greater than others and may be more on the receiving end than they give.
Natural disasters happen every year and it appears with more frequency. Every year the international community including countries, governments and international private institutions are asked to pitch in to help those in need.
This year the disaster in Pakistan has drawn some criticisms from the international community because governments and individuals have not been as quick to dig into their pockets as they had for the Tsunami and Haitian earthquake. Many reasons are suggested for this, the flood did not appear to be so bad at first, the tsunami and earthquake are fast, furious and immediate.
A prudent and equitable approach to dealing with these international disasters and crises would be to create an international disaster fund to which every country would be required to contribute in proportionate to each country’s ability. No country should be exempt.
When the international community needs money and resources to respond to unexpected crises money will be available to start the work quickly and efficiently. This way countries and people do not have to go begging and crying and the media do not have to go out of their way to show the world the worst cases they encounter in order to make the public want to give. Individuals will always come forward to donate even without being asked. The Fund could be run by the United Nations.
Some international charitable agencies view these disasters as bonanzas for their fundraising efforts. A lot of the money raised for these causes go towards salaries, travel expenses and hotel accommodation and generally taking care of these workers. There needs to be a better way to manage donated funds. There needs to be a way to get nationals from the countries affected to do some of the work required.
It is draining, tiring and humiliating to hear all the begging that goes on and the guilt tripping on ordinary folks to give money as soon as something happens. The ordinary folk is bombarded by local, national and international agencies and neighbours and friends to contribute. In addition there are other causes that require our attention in our local areas. They all need our help. So let’s get the big stuff together. Let our taxpaying dollars take care of the big stuff and let individuals take care of the things in their own neighbourhoods.
Taxpayers who are the real contributors through our governments, should encourage their governments to start a conversation of a unified approach to dealing with international disasters. Let us create an international disaster fund and run it effectively.
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