The disaster in Haiti – and the media coverage of it – pull at the emotions in a way that everyday suffering in the developing world does not. However, our rough calculations suggest that in fact, a donor can have a bigger impact for less money by funding top charities’ everyday activities to reduce unnecessary…
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All Disaster relief Posts
Can choosing the right charity double your impact?
Reader Evan writes: I’ve been thinking about how best to donate to Haiti, and I reviewed some of the materials on your website and found them pretty helpful and persuasive. So thank you! But then my law firm announced that it would match donations to the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. Given that, I…
Haiti earthquake donations
Update: see our official page on Haiti earthquake relief, which consolidates advice from us and a few other sources we have high opinions of. Reader Brigid writes: “I would love to hear any thoughts you have on contributions in light of the crisis in Haiti. My sense is that now of all times is when…
The case against disaster relief
When a natural disaster and humanitarian crisis hits the headlines, many of us (including me) reach straight for our wallets. Emergencies have an easier time getting our attention (and emotional investment) than the chronic health problems that plague the developing world every day. But to hear the Disease Control Priorities report tell it, emergency aid…