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I've been debating with myself about making this post because I don't want to seem petty and political in the wake of a disaster like this, but as a health sciences student, I also feel, to an extent, morally obligated to let people be informed.
If you care about Japan and providing aid, don't give your money to the International Commission for the Red Cross. Why?
1. Many people think it's the right thing to do when there is a disaster to contribute their fair share to help, but in all honesty: The RC does not know what to do with this money.
2. Contrary to popular belief, the Red Cross is not a relief aid organization. The organization is one mainly of lawyers and the military, meaning a lot of the work they do is implementing new policy, diplomacy, etc. (source: Francisco Rubio, head of legal department at Medecins du Monde ... among many others) That isn't to say they don't do immediate disaster relief, but it comprises a smaller part of what they do than people think.
3. The Red Cross has a history of homophobia. Yes, the Japan disaster is horrific, but does that make it okay, under any circumstance, to endorse discrimination and overlook the human dignity of others?
That being said, I am not discouraging you from donating to Japan relief aid. By all accounts, I believe you should donate, if you can. There are many, many other organizations you can choose to donate to.
My medical charity of choice throughout the year is Doctors Without Borders. I advocate for donating to them, but you should always do your research and donate to a charity you believe in.
In the case of Japan, I think MSF is the best choice because they are primarily a disaster relief organization. This might sound heartless, but it is said mostly with pragmatism: Japan is a rich country. What they need isn't so much money to rebuild in the upcoming months (which your donation to the Red Cross... might do. If it does anything.) but more or less immediate relief aid. That isn't to say Japan won't need help rebuilding in the coming months, but unlike Haiti or Indonesia, they have very stable political, health, economic, and social infrastructures. The earthquake has knocked them off their feet, not destroyed their entire country's structure; what they need is help right now. Doctors Without Borders in general sends an aid team within 48 hours of the disaster, and with Japan, the team has already been sent.
Ultimately, I can't stop you from donating to the Red Cross. If anything, it's better than not donating and helping at all. Half of this post is to inform people - because knowledge is power - but the other half is just to raise awareness for the need for aid.
Just, whatever charity you decide on, please think it through, be informed, and research it. And not because it's an easy 5-number text away.
Donate to Doctors Without Borders!
If you care about Japan and providing aid, don't give your money to the International Commission for the Red Cross. Why?
1. Many people think it's the right thing to do when there is a disaster to contribute their fair share to help, but in all honesty: The RC does not know what to do with this money.
2. Contrary to popular belief, the Red Cross is not a relief aid organization. The organization is one mainly of lawyers and the military, meaning a lot of the work they do is implementing new policy, diplomacy, etc. (source: Francisco Rubio, head of legal department at Medecins du Monde ... among many others) That isn't to say they don't do immediate disaster relief, but it comprises a smaller part of what they do than people think.
3. The Red Cross has a history of homophobia. Yes, the Japan disaster is horrific, but does that make it okay, under any circumstance, to endorse discrimination and overlook the human dignity of others?
That being said, I am not discouraging you from donating to Japan relief aid. By all accounts, I believe you should donate, if you can. There are many, many other organizations you can choose to donate to.
My medical charity of choice throughout the year is Doctors Without Borders. I advocate for donating to them, but you should always do your research and donate to a charity you believe in.
In the case of Japan, I think MSF is the best choice because they are primarily a disaster relief organization. This might sound heartless, but it is said mostly with pragmatism: Japan is a rich country. What they need isn't so much money to rebuild in the upcoming months (which your donation to the Red Cross... might do. If it does anything.) but more or less immediate relief aid. That isn't to say Japan won't need help rebuilding in the coming months, but unlike Haiti or Indonesia, they have very stable political, health, economic, and social infrastructures. The earthquake has knocked them off their feet, not destroyed their entire country's structure; what they need is help right now. Doctors Without Borders in general sends an aid team within 48 hours of the disaster, and with Japan, the team has already been sent.
Ultimately, I can't stop you from donating to the Red Cross. If anything, it's better than not donating and helping at all. Half of this post is to inform people - because knowledge is power - but the other half is just to raise awareness for the need for aid.
Just, whatever charity you decide on, please think it through, be informed, and research it. And not because it's an easy 5-number text away.
