How Can I Help?

The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to Help Asia Organization which is conducting relief operations in the affected regions.

Monetary Donations

Monetary donations are the most effective form of assistance because they allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis. Monetary donations therefore have several logistical advantages over commodity contributions:

• Monetary donations are more cost-effective than commodity contributions, because the cost of international shipping often exceeds the cost of procuring the commodities within the region.
  
• Monetary donations, unlike commodity contributions, do not involve international transportation and handling, which can be very complex and time consuming.
  
• Humanitarian organizations can use monetary donations to specifically procure items on a priority-needs basis in the exact quantity and quality required - while commodity contributions often involve use of scarce resources (transportation, staff time, warehouse space, etc) for non-crucial or inappropriate commodities.
  
• Commodities procured by humanitarian organizations using monetary donations can be sorted, labeled (in the appropriate language), and packaged in exactly the manner required for storage and distribution and will reach the affected region much quicker than commodity contributions would.

In addition to these logistical advantages, monetary donations to humanitarian organizations also help to ensure that relief efforts contribute to the long-term sustainability and self-reliance of the affected region.

Commodity Contributions

While monetary donations are preferred to commodity contributions, there may be rare instances when a commodity contribution would be of value to relief operations.

Drug Donations

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), donated drugs are often inappropriate for the emergency to which they are sent or level of care available. They may also be unfamiliar to local health-care professionals and may not comply with local policies. And they may even be dangerous.

 

EVERY PENNY COUNTS

We do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity, the people in Asia affected by the tsunami don't need it. They need your muscle, they need you to help build housing.. and if you cannot spare the time, spare a dollar !

It is up to you. Remember just that the price of 1 coffee in Europe means food for a day where now it is most needed. How much to donate is only up to you.

Thank you ,
Help Asia Organization