THE BEST WAY to help the victims of Cyclone Nargis is to support the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal (see profile) appeal. Do not shell out for your favourite charity. Here’s why the DEC is by far the best option:

1. A good reputation. The DEC will distribute your cash to those of its 13 member charities which are best able to respond to the crisis. All of these charities have rock-solid reputations and a proven track record of helping people in emergencies.
2. Smart distribution. The member charities thrash out between themselves who will get how much money, and for what purposes, and these decisions are based upon each one’s experience, location and abilities. It’s difficult to know whether it always comes to the right conclusions, but it’s a good start - especially when getting access to the cyclone's victims is so fraught.
3. Very low fundraising costs. No charity can match the DEC for the astonishing amount of free publicity it gets when an emergency appeal is declared. Most charities have to pay for their advertising – and that payment has to come from donations.
4. Low admin costs. The DEC has low overheads – meaning that, financially, it is often as effective as giving to individual charities.
5. Your money will be protected. In common with most disaster appeals, your donation to the DEC will be ring-fenced: it won't be spent on anything other than relieving the suffering of the cyclone's victims. This is guaranteed by law.

The DEC's member charities World Vision TearFund Save the Children Oxfam Merlin Care Islamic Relief Concern Christian Aid CAFOD British Red Cross ActionAid Help the Aged NB: Your donation to the DEC will be spilt amongst these charities - but not all of the charities will necessarily benefit

For the latest information on the situation in Burma, try the Burma Campaign UK page on the Cyclone, or take a look at Google's comprehensive news round-up.

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