CIDI Urges Appropriate Response to Developing Disaster Situations in Pakistan, Russia and China

Americans Should Send Cash Donations to Best Aid International Disaster Victims

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) encourages Americans to respond appropriately and responsibly when considering sending donations to the three developing disaster situations around the world: the devastating floods in Pakistan, the wildfires in central Russia and the landslides in China. Americans wishing to help victims in the affected communities are encouraged to donate cash as an alternative to in-kind donations such as clothing and canned goods. Cash donations are widely recognized as the most efficient and effective means of relief, a policy supported by CIDI's funding partner, the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and those in the established international disaster response community.  

The worst floods in Pakistan's history have resulted in more than 1,600 casualties and left more than two million people homeless. The United Nations says that the flooding may affect more people than the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake combined. Several major roads in Pakistan have been destroyed and landslides have added to the devastation of many areas – and additional rain is forecast.

In Russia, hundreds of wildfires are sweeping the central countryside, and smoke from the forest and peat fires burning 60 miles outside of Moscow has choked the city for days – seeping into apartments, offices and even underground into the metro. Russian officials are reporting rising mortality rates amid the acrid smog caused by the wildfires and the worst heat wave in Russia's thousand-year history.

In China, hundreds are confirmed dead and more than 1,000 are missing in a massive landslide in north-west China – making it one of the deadliest incidents so far in the country's worst flooding in a decade.

Many aid organizations are currently on the ground in the affected countries and will be able to put Americans' generosity to use to best help the victims of these disasters. Cash donations can be used to buy the supplies and emergency items needed on the ground, without the delay of collecting, packing, shipping and distributing in-kind items, which may be inappropriate for the victims.  

"Americans can help the most by donating cash to an established relief agency," says Suzanne H. Brooks, Director of CIDI.  "Across the globe, we are reminded of the need for appropriate disaster response. Helping the efforts of professional humanitarian relief agencies is the absolute best way to aid the victims in Pakistan, Russia and China. Regardless of where they are or what they are facing, disaster victims are always best helped through cash donations."

Those interested in making contributions to help the victims in Pakistan, Russia and China can get more information by visiting CIDI's Web site at www.cidi.org.  Additionally, interested donors can visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding agencies for international emergencies and www.charitynavigator.org or http://www.bbb.org to get valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities.  In addition, donors can visit www.globalgiving.org.  

About CIDI

CIDI is based in Washington, DC and was created in 1988. The Center is funded by the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. CIDI provides individuals, groups, embassies and corporations with information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief efforts. The organization works with a variety of partners to channel the public's energy and desire to help to achieve maximum impact. By reaching out to the American public and the private sector, CIDI helps to promote activities and donations that will do the most good for disaster victims around the world. For more information about CIDI and helping international victims, please visit http://www.cidi.org.

SOURCE Center for International Disaster Information

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