Thomson report

The situation in Japan is tragic and worrying.  Our hearts continue to go out to those affected and responding.

Many charities are aggressively soliciting donations, often in ways we feel are misleading.

I spoke with Give Well; the New York based non-profit organization that evaluates charities. Any donation you make will probably be used by the charity you give it to, for activities in a different country for non-disaster-relief-and-recovery efforts in Japan.

Japan’s government has received offers for assistance from 91 countries, and has accepted assistance from about 15 based on assessed needs, mostly for specialized international urban search and rescue teams and medical teams.

Charities seem to be sending a very different message. By and large, they seem to be aggressively soliciting donations, and we feel that many are implying these donations will be used in the relief/recovery effort. However, a close look at the language they’re using reveals that their actual involvement in relief/recovery may be very limited and they are seeking donations for other activities.

Oxfam: The organization’s Web site displayed the headline “Worst Quake in Japan on Record” and asked visitors to donate to its Saving Lives 24/7 Fund. The Saving Lives 24/7 fund appears global in focus. The Canadian arm has raised just under $500,000 in conjunction with Care Canada and Save the Children. They are also, as I understand, asking if donors would like to contribute to other programs.

World Vision: The charity this morning reported that its offices in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands are on alert to assist in tsunami response. A team is also on standby for possible deployment. World Vision Canada has raised in the neighborhood of $1 million and says they have a goal of $3 million. It also has a disclaimer on its Internet online form "in cases where donations exceed what is needed or where local conditions prevent program implementation World Vision Canada will redirect funds to similar activities to help needy people."

The Canadian Red Cross, always front and center when there is money to be raised, has over $8 million in the bank. They do not, as I understand, have any people in Japan. Those in charge say money will be diverted to the Japanese Red Cross. All of it I hope.

I wouldn’t want anyone to take this as an argument that (a) the situation in Japan is anything other than extremely tragic and extremely challenging; (b) you shouldn’t give to charity.

The people and government of Japan are extraordinarily well prepared, as well as competent and well-resourced, and do not need significant external assistance in order to mount a maximally effective relief and recovery effort.

Therefore, you as a donor do not have the power to improve the relief and recovery effort in Japan. If you do give, your gift will probably be used by the charity you give it to, for activities in a different country for non-disaster-relief-and-recovery efforts in Japan.

Of the above two possibilities, I find (a) more appealing, because Japan is a wealthy country and everyday needs are greater elsewhere. But if you were looking to pursue and help people in need all over the world, I’d highly recommend giving to the best charity you can, rather than basing your giving on who is appealing to you most aggressively with images and language regarding Japan.

 

If you prefer, a gift direct to the Japanese Red Cross.

 

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It is too early to tell what kind of an impact the disaster in Japan will have on tourism in British Columbia, but industry operators are expecting a "significant" drop considering recent events.

 

More than 85,000 Japanese tourists visited British Columbia in 2009 with many taking single or multiple day tours to the Island from Vancouver. While they represent only about 10 per cent of the annual overall tourism base for B.C., the Japanese tend to spend between two and three times more than domestic travellers, according to industry estimates.

For tourism in general, the disaster in Japan follows a long list of roadblocks for the industry since 911 that have included disease outbreaks like SARS, currency fluctuations, passport issues, recession and various natural disasters — even volcanic ash from Iceland's volcano’s that virtually brought air travel to a standstill last year.

Tourism British Columbia offices in Tokyo have closed this last in light of the aftershocks and power outages and to allow staff members time to be with their families.