Feeling helpless

I totally agree with you Anniebach Money and possessions always seemed to be valued higher than life itself.

Forgive me for saying this Luckygirl I hate myself for even thinking it, but I too saw that news item and it was The Yemen. I couldn't help but notice that most of the adults/parents looked quite well fed. Some even looked quite fat.

It looks as though MSF are having to withdraw from their medical aid in Yemen because it is too dangerous. I have chosen the Save the Children appeal specifically directed at children in Yemen. Let us hope they are able to help.

Thank you for telling me it was Yemen. So which organisation can we donate to that would really get through to those suffering children and families? MSF? - are they active there?

Give to the Disaster Emergency Committee, a committee of all the key emergency charities Medecin sans Frontieres, Oxfam, Red Cross, Cafod etc. This money goes to them and they deliver the emergency disaster aid directly to the victims.

I think much of the talk about corruption is overdone. Essentially the bigger the donor and the bigger the project the greater the chance of corruption. Big dictators get rich on government to government aid. Give to some of the smaller charities; Practical Action, Cafod, or those with a specific remit like Medecin sans Frontiere and you can be reasonably sure that the money goes direct to the victim and does not percolate down through sticky fingers.

I think a lot of people use the corruption arguments as an excuse to justify turning their backs on those suffering.

I do NOT mean you, Lucky Girl

I agree about giving to charities and then not knowing if it reaches those in need.

South Yemen/Aden was badly bombed last year. Among those who were able to escape to Djibouti were charity workers who quickly set us some 'routes' to raise funds. I've been supporting a fund run by contacts on a facebook site. We were all at school in Aden in the late fifties/sixties. The money raised is being used to re-equip schools with essentials so children can get some normality back into their lives.

Untill human life becomes more important than money we can only weep.

I think the big charities such as Christian Aid, Oxfam and Red Cross are probably safe to give money too. Also Water Aid.

It was Yemen, Luckygirl. It's just too dangerous for relief workers to get to those who need so much help. A heartbreaking situation.