Here is an interesting press release from the Humanitarian Coalition on “All aid dollars raised support survivors of disaster in Japan”. 

www.humanitariancoalition.ca

PRESS RELEASE

HUMANITARIAN COALITION:
All aid dollars raised support survivors of disaster in Japan

March 18, 2011 – THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION today reiterated that all donations for the disaster in Japan will be helping the survivors of that disaster.  All funds raised through a united appeal are allocated directly to member organizations in relation to their capacity to implement relief programs for affected populations.

In the affected regions, people are still grappling with the human loss, now estimated to be at least 10,000 people, and the ever-present nuclear threat. CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Quebec and Save the Children Canada are present through their Japanese partners providing assistance to survivors in evacuee centres and giving psychosocial support to children.

“All money raised by HUMANITARIAN COALITION members for Japan will be spent helping people affected by the disaster in that country,” explains Nicolas Moyer, HUMANITARIAN COALITION Coordinator. “We will continue to heed the calls for help from our Japanese counterparts, who are struggling to meet the needs of survivors.”

All donations will fund the work of CARE Japan, Oxfam Japan and Save the Children Japan, all non-governmental organizations that are providing relief alongside the government. They specifically requested support from their counterparts around the world due to the overwhelming challenges the Japanese people face.

“No country, no matter how wealthy or prepared can manage a disaster of this scale and magnitude alone,” Moyer said. “Regardless of where a disaster takes place, we have a responsibility to respond when requested by our colleagues on the scene.”

HUMANITARIAN COALITION members welcome debate about disaster-related fundraising, citing critical questions from the media and public as promoting transparency and accountability in fundraising. Public debate also provides the opportunity to discuss what happens when emergencies don’t generate media interest, the situations that make up the core work of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada. 

– 30 –

The HUMANITARIAN COALITION, with the joint efforts of its members, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada, provides a widespread and effective response to humanitarian emergencies. By combining under one banner, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION makes it easy for Canadians to donate in an emergency. Working together in this capacity reduces fundraising costs, increasing the impact of Canadian donations where it is needed.

Follow the HUMANITARIAN COALITION on twitter at @humcoalition or visit www.humanitariancoalition.ca for information or to make a donation.

CARE Canada
Alexandra Lopoukhine
613 799 7562
media@care.ca
Oxfam Canada
Mark Fried
613-668-4801 markf@oxfam.ca

Oxfam-Québec
Justine Lesage
514.513.0013
LesageJ@oxfam.qc.ca
Save the Children
Denise Koulis
647.273.7134
DKoulis@savethechildren.ca