U.S. Newswire (press release), DC
"We're urging members of the media everywhere, from major television news programs to local radio stations, newspapers and even church newsletters to harness the power of their media to set the record straight -- what survivors in South Asia need most of all right now is for concerned citizens to send cash donations to reputable organizations working in the areas affected," was the explanation begun by Lisa Bonds, VP or External Relations at Lutheran World Relief, (LWR), a highly rated sixty year-old international relief and development organization. "The nonprofits that work in the field, our partners there and even the U.S. Government have been saying since day one not to send clothes and canned food and other household items," she continued, calling for a 'responsible response.' "We get word from the governments of the affected countries, and from humanitarian organizations in those countries exactly what is needed. So far, none have requested tons of used clothing," she concluded.
"There's a reason organizations who have been responding to disasters for decades didn't begin canned food drives this week," comment Barbara Wetsig, associate director for Asia for Lutheran World Relief. "Well meaning Americans want to 'do something,' and that's more than just writing a check or donating online with a credit card," continues Wetsig, whose organization has taken in more than $4.5 million in much-needed cash since launching its Wave of Giving(c) campaign Dec. 29. "These 'nonprofits' who opened for business last week to start collecting their neighbors' clothing and dry food and bottled water are soon going to create more work for weary relief agencies on the ground in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Already we've read reports from the press in India of 100-pound bales of clothing being discarded along the road there to make room on supply vehicles for water purification equipment, food rations and medical equipment," Wetsig added.
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