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John Sommers Ii / Reuters
Volunteers from the Henryville United Methodist Church collect and distribute food and supplies to tornado victims on Monday, days after tornados ripped through the small community of Henryville, Indiana.
In the wake of every U.S. disaster there is an influx of people who want to help, and the situation in the Midwest and Southeast after last week's deadly tornadoes is no exception. But to many of the early arrivals who parachute in to help, disaster relief experts have a message: yes please, but not so fast.
For the first few days after Friday's twisters devastated large swathes of the Midwest and southeastern U.S., the Indiana Department of Homeland Security was strongly discouraging ad hoc volunteers as well as gawkers who flocked to the scene.
"We had people driving through looking… immediately after it happened and it was a significant problem," said Denise Derrer, public information officer for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The dangers of downed power lines, debris and gas leaks meant that they needed to rely on trained emergency workers, and not worry about other people dropping in to help.
"If you have never run a chainsaw before, maybe now is not the time to learn," she said. "We are trying to get the word out."
"What people tend to do is they will go to where the actual tornado touchdown has been," said Joe Tolan, president of the United Way in Louisville, Kentucky which also covers the southern part of Indiana. "That is rarely the best thing to do in the first few days. It adds to the confusion and clutter."
That’s where the volunteer receiving centers like one that opened Monday morning in Jeffersonville, Indiana come in. The center, set up by the United Way and its partners is located in a vacant car dealership, hastily cleaned and adapted into a makeshift workspace over the weekend as a place to organize, train and deploy volunteer teams to do jobs after the disaster command center has determined what's needed.
Jeffersonville is about 15 miles down the freeway from devastated towns of Henryville and New Liberty, far enough to be out of the way of emergency teams still trying to restore services.
When the center's doors opened on Monday morning, more than 100 people were there, waiting to roll up their sleeves.
"We figured there was going to be a little organized bedlam this morning and we were right,” said Tolan.
Survivors try to reclaim a sense of normalcy after the severe weather that killed more than a dozen people in Indiana alone. NBC's Lester Holt reports.
Eager as they are, volunteers have to jump through some hoops. Each volunteer needs to register and list their skills, sign a waiver, get basic safety training, and possibly a tetanus shot. For those entering the worst hit residential areas, there are typically checkpoints, where volunteers are required to show wristbands identifying them as registered. Tolan said that several hundred volunteers were registered by the end of the day.
In part, the protocol helps safeguard against looting in damaged areas. DHS spokeswoman Derrer said they did not have any reports of looting so far.
"Odds are that the overwhelming majority of people are totally positively motivated,"said Tolan of volunteers. "There are certain protocols you simply have to follow to protect people’s property and ensure safety of the volunteers."
Teams of volunteers are deployed to sites and tasks at the command center’s request.
It’s clear that not all volunteers follow this route.
In the tiny town of Moscow, Ohio where dozens of homes were destroyed by twisters, a nearby pastor deployed his 100-strong congregation to clean up storm debris, and deliver supplies instead of holding its regular Sunday service, according to a report by Newsnet5, an ABC affiliate in Cleveland.
"A lot of hurting people out here… Instead of having service today, we decided to bring chainsaws, shovels, rakes, whatever it took, to help our brothers and sisters that are hurting," said Pastor Ralph Ollendick.
Tolan notes that some religious groups have developed sophisticated national disaster response systems, and tend to coordinate with government disaster relief.
In addition, there are always people offering help that may be off target.
"There are always multiple things going on,” said Tolan. "There are churches that are doing things, like clothing drives, whether or not there will be a need for the clothing, to be candid."
One of the immediate needs from last week's tornadoes, aside from clearing debris, will be to remove dead animals — including wildlife, livestock and pets killed in the storms.
But Tolan said that the biggest challenge is maintaining the initial enthusiasm and meeting long term rebuilding and emotional needs in communities that have lost people and property and suffered trauma.
"It’s really important to get out the need for volunteers over time," said Tolan. "The news coverage ebbs long before the need for volunteers goes away."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News
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z
after Katrina , the State Government prevented citizen help from coming in, result a lot more suffering ; a group of top notch physicians even rented a dc-9, loaded it up with over 2 million dollars worth of medicine, 12 doctors, surgeons , trauma experts, 25 registered nurses, landed at new Orleans intl. airport, set up a state of the art trauma hospital; the stupid Governor ran them out, since they did not have a license to practice medicine in Louisiana, government is always the problem.
Please show your source saxon. I don't believe you.
Way to dampen The Spirit of Volunteerism...
"You vill volunteer the vay ve say!...or you vill be removed!"....
Americans are caring Christians that want to help!!!! Goverment people are communist that want to have control!!! just saying
http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0001593/48/
This isn't the exact scenario but it's close. Google 'doctors turned away from Katrina' and you can find several instances. There was a lot of red tape. The page takes a bit of time to load.
If you want a textbook example of relief work, look at the work that was done in Metropolitan Nashville TN after the massive flooding in May, 2010. As a survivor of Hurricane Andrew who waited for the cavalry that was very slow in coming, I was in Nashville to help relatives 4 days after the flood and it was truly amazing. Coordinated and efficient. The volunteers were there to help and that is what they did. The government (local, state and national) was timely. Donations (money and goods) were handled fairly and equitably. I was there living with a cousin in her flooded condo for over a year and I saw it from the inside. Truly a remarkable effort. Everyone stayed until the job was done and they are to be commended.
Roger T Waggoner NO Americans are caring Humans that want to help!!!! I am no Christian. So leave me out of that religion. I am a Native American no Christianity needed.
I loved your Christ but i do not like your Christians much.
People sometimes are more of a problem than a solution. We need to understand that sometimes the rescuers end up needing rescuing. I liked the chainsaw idea. If you do not know how to run one now is not the time to learn.
This doesn't surprise me at all, beings the DHS is sticking their noses in it. What's the matter Feds, you think all volunteers are that stupid? Or is this the normal government game, where you just have to have all say in all matters of of our daily lives? Believe me, your not the all knowing big brother that you think you are. You can't even take care of our national economy, so let our local people take care of the local disaster aid, and you keep your noses where they belong, out of the bankers back sides, and back getting our economy out of the septic tank.
I'm not sure why you feel a need to denegrate someone for saying they are Christian...my guess is you would never say that to someone who is Muslim, Hindu, Wicken or any other religion but I guess that reflects your own prejudices. However, in Joplin we have come farther in 9 months than New Orleans has in 6 years and a lot of that has to do with the many volunteers, both Christian and otherwise. People helping people, not tearing them down, is always helpful. Government usually makes everthing harder to get it done.
Saxon as Rob99 said show your source. I'm with Rob I think your either made that up for some unknown reason or you are repeating some BS you heard. No source then BS.
Brenda, I have little doubt if someone had posted "Americans are caring Muslims (or Wiccans, or Hindus, or atheists) who want to help" I have little doubt that you would have hastened to write a post correcting that poster for their presumption. I agree with you- people helping people is not predicated on their religion. but this is a nation of MANY religions. not just 'Christians', no matter what they like to tell themselves and each other. the original poster seems to think that only 'Christians' are caring people and didn't hesitate to say so. he obviously invited correction with his assertion
I am confused, what does DHS have to do with tornadoes? Now the National Guard makes since.
There are many non-christian Americans that help too. Just sayin'.
Let the government do it - that's the message. The People just get in their way. Where's the headline - Volunteers and Government Organizers Coordinate Efforts to Help Disaster Victims. No, there's not any chastizing in that headline. We would forget who's in control. Are we getting sufficiently brainwashed yet, America?
It is highly commendable that people have the desire to help immediately after an emergency. But as a member of the second largest disaster relief organization in the world (second only to Red Cross), untrained volunteers can often cause more problems. Most are unskilled when it comes to immediate emergency issues like the article stated: gas leaks, downed power lines. If you start up a chain saw in an area with a gas leak you will blow up yourself and do more damage to the neighborhood. Untrained volunteers who set up clothing sites and food lines can end up in a riot situation. Allow the local emergency workers to get in first and shut down all of the immediate dangers. Then the Red Cross will set up a shelter site and an emergency medical site. After that the So. Baptist Disaster Relief, at the request of FEMA and the Red Cross, will set up a mass feeding center. A few weeks after the disaster the So. Baptist Disaster Relief will be there still to clean up homes sites, cut down needed trees, etc., all for free while other companies will arrive and try to charge as much as $10,000 for the same work. You will know us by our yellow shirts and hats. Everything is free. We don't get paid. We go to a disaster on our own dime. My point is, there are trained relief workers so, although the untrained want to help, they can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Only in America, I guess you're incapable of reading the article. The article was quoting members of the INDIANA Homeland Security, not the FEDERAL Homeland Security as well as the President of the Louisville Chapter of the United Way, which is NOT run by the Federal Government. Your response is irresponsible as well as illogical.
By the way, agencies who continually work in disasters know quite a bit more than "well meaning" volunteers who may have never actually been in a disaster. I've been on both sides, volunteering during Hurricane Hugo in Charleston and been on the receiving end during the tornadoes that hit St. Louis last year. Wanting to volunteer is always appreciated, but if you don't know what you're doing, don't know where you are going to help, then quite frankly you're not going to be much help. It is much easier to be an "armchair" volunteer, questioning the response of qualified responders, than to be a qualified volunteer in the thick of the action.
You are another example of someone who speaks before they think things through.
I have and still am a volunteer firefighter and EMT for 20+ years. You live out here in the middle of Nebraska we deal with not only natural disasters like fires, tornados, and ice storms but also it can be extreme accidents on the interstate. It is hard to turn down ANY help that comes to offer their assistance. To think that the government will help or bail you out is such a fantasy. You have to help yourselves and use whatever resources are at your disposal including people.
Again where are these sources. The internet? , the Democratic Underground? Where? I can never figure out why people have to make up stuff to make their point more believable. The reason this does not make sense is that there is valid source. All lies!
FYI - Source on Katrina disaster relief/FEMA turning away volunteers. Very very long list of national coverage of such events.
http://rhosgobel.blogspot.com/2005/09/doing-everything-possible-to-help.html
Yeah right.....these are poor working white people....Let's not get excited and volunteer to help !!!! This is NOT Katrina....there has been little looting cause the people just aren't like that and most places are on lockdown anyways.....
I know because....I have relatives in West Liberty Kentucky which was badly hit ....my cousins went to Paintsville for supplies and found it nearly leveled also.....IF you ask the poor people who LIVE THERE....they will take all the help they can get and APPRECIATE IT TOO ......I doubt they will be getting $2,000 debit cards to spend on fancy purses, tatoos, and strip clubs like Katrina.........they may actually buy FOOD or something they NEED with them !!!! We couldn't let THAT happen ....could we ?
Sorry to make it racial that way....but its just a fact .....anytime its a white community....everyone figures they dont "need" the help .........In case people have had their heads in the sand....there are ALOT of poor white folks out there too....my cousin worked at a Ford Dealership as a mechanic and his wife at the local hospital ...BOTH destroyed by the tornado as was the entire town.........my cousin was picked up in his car and thrown into the air and landed on the wheels ....drove off with parts hanging worried over his daughter home alone in the trailer they live in .........she was safe in a closet as it blew out all the windows but the trailer was anchored in concrete and still intact. They found the dog still tied to the doghouse....in a field....also okay....must have been inside the house when taken up .....
It took his wife's jeep from the hospital lot at her work and they found it atop some trees in some woods near the hospital where she was working ..........and yet they are the "lucky" ones....some died and many more are missing .........their loss is nothing compared to most in that town........
These are good , law abiding citizens...even in a disaster situation.....hard working.....helping each other but could use some more help as well ..........
Articles like this show me that some reporters have too much time on their hands, and need to come up with some REAL articles instead of discouraging volunteering to help those who TRULY NEED IT !!!!!
Volunteers were turned down in Katrina because it was a crime infested NIGHTMARE........its not the case in ANY of the situations I have heard of with THESE storms......ITS NOT ANOTHER KATRINA ..........
IF it was.....they would be falling all over themselves to give them EVERY possible FREE thing imaginable !!!!!
Dan - Your condescending remark to Only in America is erroneous. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - the Federal Government - ASSIGNED the states the duty of following very stringent requirements for all actions of state homeland security. The states act according to the mandate of the Federal office of homeland security in the manner required, and report to the DHS, the Federal government by way of Congress, furnishing information as mandated, in the manner mandated, covering all requirements as mandated, in the timeline mandated, wholly accountable to the Federal government that the state government has followed all of their rules and regs which are extensive. To suggest OIA is 'incapable' of reading the article would more correctly reflect that he tracks it all the way back to its actual informational source - the Federal government. Since the Katrina disaster - the disaster of the hurricane as well as the disastrous actions by both state and Federal government - the response by government today toward volunteers remains the same - Crappy. So you were splitting hairs. But beyond that, you felt obliged to do it with such smug arrogance. You got riled up because you want to deflect OIA's comment away from the administration and because you wanted to tell everyone how much smarter you consider yourself to be. Not only is your comment the factually erroneous one, but in my opinion it lost on its arrogant tone alone.
Red State people help each other.
Blue State people wait for free handouts
Blue states pay for the red states.
@Roger. What an asinine comment.
Roger is an ass hole.
Uhm, no, those who actually pay the income taxes pay for the welfare in red states (and blue states). Currently that's about HALF the US households that pay the IRS (those earning above $33k), and HALF that don't pay the IRS after deductions like the EIC and tax breaks (those earning less than $33k). Then you have that pesky to liberal little fact that the top 25% of US household IRS income tax filers pay 88% of all IRS household income taxes...http://ntu.org/tax-basics/who-pays-income-taxes.html).
What I'd really like to know is who in those red states actually take the welfare and what political party they vote for (and further demographic breakdown info like by race, how many are single female heads of household, etc). My guess is you liberals wouldn't like the answer too much.
But to Roger's point, the Katrina victims around the gulf coastal areas of Mississippi rebuilt their region a whole heck of a lot faster than those did around New Orleans. Of course Haley Barber deserves a lot of credit for getting the job done too, unlike Louisiana's Democrat governor Katherine Blanco.
Really? So why does California and New York both have deficits. They are one of the biggest blue states. Really, if you are going to post a response like that make sure you are accurate. I can't believe you guys are still telling that lie.
Truth is collapsed while falsehoods are highly rated, thanks MSNBC!
Roger, I am from the Hoosier State. I don't care if it's a Red State or if it's a Blue State. We are young and old, rich and poor, and everyone in this southern region is hurting and/or personally know of someone who was involved in this disaster. We are banding together to help each other out, because that's what Hoosiers do. If all you are worried about is the person's political affiliation, I don't want or need your help or money.
Yeah, but people from OUTSIDE of the state want to visit New York and California. Not too many people want to go and spend money in Hogsquatter, AK.
Bob-The democratic party is full of the asses.After all,they chose the donkey to be their symbolic animal.
Concerned citizens, for crying out loud..true, a Command Center is, Organization & nothing is wrong with that..happy to hear about; a lot of caring Americans.......
Just put the chainsaw; generators and skidloader back in the barn. Had them on my dump trailer ready to head out to help clean up and get rid of animal bodies but no united way for me.
It is really really sad that the "Leaders" are choosing to re-act this way. Pretty much they are giving the idea that your danged if you do and danged if you dont. I was in Joplin and heard a news reports saying the same things about their disaster, but where I was at we could have used all the help we could muster, we were thirsty and couldn't hardly get any water to drink because of the poor "Leadership". You think you know it all, but I am here to tell you that you don't and most of the people who are coming to voluteer could lead you better with there eyes closed. So guess what, because of your holier than thou attitude, thousands of people will just stay at home, and keep their blankets and donor blood to themselves. Again this is such a sad but typical American Leadership failing the true citizens.
( I mean City, State and Federal Leadership)
You should go and use your talents. What they say makes sense. Imagine cooking a meal and a carload of well meaning people come in to help you. It throws you off course and could make for problems. This is all they are saying. They love the volunteers and love their enthusiam, but you have to have structure and a plan and division of labor, just like any big project requires. Someone like you has everything they need and they would be so glad for your time and effort.
Ham radio operators have always worked with the Red Cross after disasters up until Katrina.. The government is building a secure digital network that interfaces high tech radios to satellite links so any time during a disaster the President can pick up a phone and talk to anyone in the relief effort directly down to Joe the volunteer fireman and someone tasked to sweeping up the streets.. This even though they were warned that in the unlikely event of a massive solar EMP event their high tech would become paper weights.. They have mandated that only people with certified training in the governments procedures and protocols courses are allowed to help and this includes a background check and fingerprinting, not sure if they want DNA yet.. Thus becoming a bureaucrats wet dream..All others will be turned away no matter what.. You can't even fill sand bags, take out the trash or wash dishes without certification.. So I told them to FU## O$$, you can't even do things from your own property in a declared disaster or emergency zone.. This means they can arrest or even shoot you for handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and coffee.. Our government has gotten way too big for its own britches when they have to have their hand in everything that happens.. We have seen how screwed up they can make things in the past so lets hope they get faster and better at relief because taking several days to get organized is unacceptable along with throwing out local relief groups that have been doing this for years..
MsMoxie - I believe you could make a war with Iran sound like boy scout camp. Please do not go to work writing copy for media or government. :)
From a Blue state and have helped out in many, many disasters. I am a member of the local unit of the Medical Reserve Corp and this article brings out an issue I have seen in many situations. If you join local groups you get training and when there is a disaster you are prepared to help and trained so you will not harm yourself. You already have your tetanus shot that they mentioned, you know when to report, you know what you will need.
By all means volunteers are need, but volunteer before the fact. Become a member of your local emergency preparedness group or call the Red Cross, they are always taking volunteers and they provide training. Then when a real emergency happens you will be called and you will help in areas hardest hit.
Listen to this person, she knows what she is talking about.
The problem with that thinking - that requirement - is that it is human nature to try and help other people, often those locally, and there are limitless ways in which 'regular' people can help effectively. To determine that you must belong to a 'trained group' or you are part of the problem is disinfranchasing. No doubt legislation will be passed to restrict all others except the 'certified ones' to participate in any effort to give aid, for any aid you could give as the 'untrained' would be deemed inately problematic. Disaster is problematic. Life is problematic. The 'select few' mentality is every bit as problematic. If the restriction on volunteering in crisis is so overwhelmingly problematic then we should ourselves with the full expectation every American will be provided with complete ongoing training beginning in school and offered consistently in every local in the country. How much will that cost us to join the newest group or sit on our hands? Otherwise, we will have to find a better way to restrict our untrained selves to helping people just like us in our own country when it waves us off as problematic, incapable and in effect, unworthy. I find it far more realistic based on virtually everything it does, to believe the government sponsorship of anything intended to fix our problems is an oxymoron based on the ever increasing restriction they put on our liberties. At some point I think many will feel it will take force to get them to leave us alone.
I haven't heard a statement from Obama and FEMA yet. Still campaigning?
Pull your head out of your ass and maybe you could hear something.
Both of you guys RAS928 and bobr-298005,
How do your comments lift up your fellow citizens who just suffered a huge loss? Behave and be civil.
Thank you.
Yes by all means wait for FEMA, maybe in 2 weeks they'll get around to it.
They don't really want our clothing, bedding, diapers, canned food or muscle power. What they want is $$$. Sad, but true; just ask Red Cross or United Way et.al.
They are going to need money to rebuild. Inspectors, contractors, ...all of that costs money. I doubt these people could be paid off in trade.
Also, with money they can buy what is needed, instead of winding up with 3000 packs of diapers a one case of water, when they needed 300 packs of diapers and 1000 cases of water.
Well said, Unhappy and Bullwinkle. Also, sorting and distributing large numbers of miscellaneous donated items takes a lot of time and effort by many volunteers, and may not be what is needed most. Relief organizations often have arrangements with suppliers to purchase what they need at a discount, and it can be delivered to where it is needed.
Blue states , its suppose to be United States . By the way how far in debt is California.
Or New York.
or Illinois
Ok so you don't want my help but you do want money from the government. Jesus Christ ! No wonder you got hit by the storm!
Perhaps they didn't want to recieve any help from atheists.
If you are implying that I am an atheist, you are wrong and are in danger of going to hell." Judge not, lest ye be judged".
Umm. You just did judge James.
Ah, the religious "right." At least they're consistent in their inconsistency...
This is why I don't donate. They complain if you do, complain if you don't.
I think this is a veiled way of the relief organizers saying, "Well, we'd rather just have your money."
They act like people are randomly driving around the disaster area. I don't buy that for one second. Anyone who has been though a flood, hurricane or tornado knows that generally you can't even get near your own home due to DOT road closures, authorities not letting people through and debris, let alone go wandering around other people's neighborhoods.
I have to agree, it's basically a tactic to get people to donate money so that it can be siphoned off to other things that have nothing to do with relief efforts. Just look at all the money from Hurricane Katrina that is unaccounted for.
If I were to donate anything it would be actual supplies. Soap, non-perishable foods, blankets, personal items that can be traded. Cash is just stupid to donate because it never goes to where it needs to. The people.
HEY ....Can you say INGRATE!!!!!?????
I no longer trust most "charities"
"It's 3 for me and 1 for the cause" they say behind closed doors. I only give solid goods or actual time and help from now on. Learned my lesson.
Often the dress up charity parties cost 2/3 more than what actually gets donated to the cause.
Gawkers... Mosy irratating people ever that should be dragged out of their vehicle and smacked in the head...REALLY!
Really? Smacked in the head? BWIII, why don't you look at yourself when you're saying that. You need therapy, maybe for anger issues.
Well, that's no surprise the government wanting to stop something good. Make people register...give me a break. "Stop helping! The government is here!!"
It is necessary to know who is there to volunteer, what their skills are, and if they need a tetenus shot. It is the Incident Commander's job to know what is going on and if the scene is secure (who's coming and going). It's not to keep people from helping out, it's to keep some semblance of control over the scene.
Kari,you're an idiot! stick to writing food menus or something.People take all the welcome help they can get,you stupid no knowledge broad! You obviously DON'T speak for those in need and are trying to impress people with your so called humanitarian skills,which are non-existing.
This is a timely article...it's important to have a working system in place when the devastation is so great, it curtails looting from taking place. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Thanks to all who eagerly and humbly volunteer their time for their brothers and sisters in humanity.
Being from Joplin Missouri 9 months ago we had our lives changed forever... To me this is a good thing. I think a postive thing learned from our tornado was people still have compassion and are wanting to help. Some parts of our town are in the rebuilding process some parts are still cleaning up debris. I know there are alot of people here wanted to and did pay it forward We Are Our Brothers Keeper. Bigger things to happen the earth that we inhabit is having it's Birthing pains.
Lisa, you have a great attitude. May all your future endeavors bring blessings to everyone who encounters you.
This is how people in Indiana react to a neighbor in need...
We enthusiastically care enough for our brothers in need to want to help...
Call me silly, but I like living in Indiana and the people too...
Besides enthusiasm, you need some basic gear too like steel toed boots, leather work gloves, goggles and hard hat and maybe some other gear like a good knife, flashlight and some kind of water container you can wear helps too. I helped out during the Catrina disaster and found out how unprepared I was. I also allowed a small family to say with me at my home where I used to live in San Antonio for almost 2 months so they could find work and a new home. Here in North Carolina, I also helped with the homes that got hit by a tornado less than 5 miles from where I now live, this time I was more prepared.
I heard you need the right tools and need to know how to help. What is wrong with that? If you say you won't help because of one article then I believe you were not really going to anyway. Why not ask those that are trained for this how to help? This is not political it is about people who died and those that are suffering the total loss of everything. If you really want to help then do so. But to complain when the ones who are trained in this stuff tell you how andwhen to help makes no sense to me. But hey carry on.
Excuse me,but many many more are trained way better than your sorry assed (cops) security guards are with their arrogant ways and authority. they are only good at directing traffic.and Red Cross volunteers belong to a money grubbing cheat organization.I know because I dropped them. Do not take advice from this pathetic news story
Truest statement I've seen posted here "
Red State people help each other.
Blue State people wait for free handouts"
Redneck hillbilly Dan speaks. Tell that to NYC and 9/11 people.
Umm, so have you personally checked on all the states, Danw325? Where's the data that tells me you speak the truth? Don't have it? Doesn't surprise me.
An absurdity if I've heard one.
I bet there are a lot of useful morons in homeland security down there right now that couldn't lift a 50# block or run a chain saw. But you better believe their little red flasher lights are running on their car, parked right in the way while they eat donuts.
Forgive Americans for being giving and caring people! I can understand the need for money, but I can also understand the need for "goods" and free labor. Geez, if someone volunteers to help send them packing. Our government and the Red Cross, and other "charitable" organizations are disgusting. This is exactly why I will not donate to such groups any more.
All organizations have their time and place, but it seems to me that either the government wants to be in charge just for the sake of being in charge, and/or the Red Cross just wants money so they can get profits.
The officials complaining just want money sent in so they can "take care" of it. That's why I only do hands on help, anymore.
watch out for the RED CROSS (thieves).They will set up food stands,borrow food from the salvation army,and turn around and sell it and coffee to survivors for a profit.This is what they have done in many areas and overseas to good military veterans.Ask any of them,if you don't believe me.They ARE CROOKS!