The China earthquake: can you help?

			Adam Rothwell Intelligent Giving
			THE BRITISH RED CROSS, Oxfam, and Save the Children have set up special appeals for victims of the 12 May earthquake. It's difficult to say which of these appeals most deserves your donation. Oxfam and Save the Children are both experts in long-term development work as well as crisis relief, meaning that your donation could be spent on the reconstruction of disaster-hit areas. The Red Cross, on the other hand, is expert at responding quickly to cases of extreme need. Through the Chinese Red Cross, it already has a big operation on the ground in the earthquake zone. To find out more about what the Red Cross is doing, take a look at the International Federation of the Red Cross's information sheets. The Red Cross and Oxfam also say that, if they raise too much money, then they might spend your donation on other emergencies. Do not be put off by this: it's a the only responsible thing to say. In the aftermath of the 2005 Tsunami, many charities raked in more than they could easily spend, and victims of other, less-televised disasters went without. Though unlikely, it would be tragic if this happened again. You should also give money or time – not stuff. You can be sure that the aid agencies don’t really want your tins of beans, or pairs of wellies. Gifts in kind like this are tricky for them to handle and only slow things down. > Our blog