[Signal Boost] What you can do to help Japan

[blue_cage]

Originally posted by tomboy_typist at [Signal Boost] What you can do to help Japan
Reposting and boosting from 

Comments

[jade_mushroom]

just a note: specifying where the donated money is to be used is sometimes unhelpful, especially in a developed nation such as Japan. During the tsunami, there was an excess of money which was earmarked for that disaster only. They ended up having to constructing excessive housing in Thailand, rather than using the funds for helping others elsewhere.

Also, Red Cross >> Salvation Army. The latter has been known to turn ppl away based on their sexual orientation.

[blue_cage]

Wow, I didn't know that. For us, when a disaster strikes pretty much all the funding is funneled to said disaster, because the government rarely has enough for the disaster fund to provide for the victims. :|

We actually don't have a local chapter for the Salvation Army, so I've never heard about the discrimination re: sexual orientation. Thanks for the heads up.

[jade_mushroom]

there was a lot of discussion in some of my political science courses about the repercussions of donations that are earmarked for a location. if you give the Red Cross $100 earmarked for the Japanese tsunami, they HAVE to spend it, and only there. So theoretically if they will be forced to overspend in Japan, and neglect a less media coveraged crisis elsewhere [say... Libya?]

Salvation Army and United Way are pretty well known for discrimination on sexual orientation and gender identity. They've turned away transgender homeless people, and have used donated funds to sue NY to prevent having to give domestic partnership benefits to their employees. They threatened to close all their homeless kitchens in NYC.

[jade_mushroom]

Articles on earmarked donations

[iphridian]

http://community.livejournal.com/arashi_on/3747412.html <- Arashi On Fundraising Drive (fics, icons, translations, etc) as well.

http://community.livejournal.com/arashi_on/3749990.html <- Arashi On Fundraising Garage Sale

[blue_cage]

Will add those when I make another post :D

[jactinglim]

great post :)

[blue_cage]

It's more like copy-pasta, but I sure hope it helps in directing people's efforts to the best channels!

[hostilecrayon]

Luff. <3

[blue_cage]

Hope your auction turns out okay!

[twhitesakura]

Thanks for the pimpage as I'm still looking for a bidder. ♥

[blue_cage]

*hopes along with you*