Tsunami fundraising.

By now, the fact that the natural disaster in the Indian Ocean has produced a huge wave of generosity in Canada is well-known. Approximately $160 million has been contributed to organizations who have agencies or connections to programs overseas. The federal government is providing matching grants to organizations approved by the Canadian International Development Agency. The federal government promised $400 million additional dollars for the countries affected by the tsunami and much of this will be funnelled through voluntary organizations in Canada and abroad. Besides these funds, there are a number of other legitimate organizations involved in providing relief. Some organizations have sent medical, emergency services and social service personnel to work in stricken communities and the Disaster Assistance Response Team of the Canadian Defence Forces is now serving in stricken areas of Sri Lanka.

Whenever a major calamity occurs, Canadians respond generously. At the same time, we should also be concerned with the confusion and additional costs caused by the multiplicity of campaigns because it comes at the expense of the intended beneficiaries.

When natural and human-made disasters occur, we should be ready to deal with them in a more rational manner. A coordinated fundraising effort is necessary to channel the generosity of Canadians so as to reach the intended beneficiaries quickly and in the most efficient manner possible. The United Way and other federated campaigns run in Canada for domestic needs are one model to consider.

The Disaster Emergency Committee in the United Kingdom is another model that we should also examine. Created in 1963, fifteen major organizations including the British Red Cross and Save the Children, are members and it has the backing of the U.K. government. When catastrophic events occur, the DEC swings into action. Standing agreements with various business and social sectors enable the DEC to mobilize the media, banks and other groups into a single fund-raising effort. Funds are allocated by agreement among the member organizations. The DEC operates with a very small staff (the equivalent of five full-time persons). Fundraising costs vary between 1.5% to 4.5%, depending on the nature of the particular campaign.

Since 1963, the DEC has coordinated fundraising in connection with more than 30 critical humanitarian situations in Africa and Asia. The DEC does not prevent its members from taking initiative in any area as soon as the need arises. Nor does it interfere with the continuing programs and longstanding fundraising activities of these groups.

Can this work in Canada? It should certainly be looked at. If the major international aid organizations are unable to bring themselves together in a coordinated fashion, the Prime Minister and the Minister of International Development should use their good offices to get discussions moving. Their influence stems from the fact that the federal government provides significant funding for the continuing projects of these groups outside of the catastrophic events. The government should make an effort and offer inducements such as providing matching funds, to persuade these groups to work together on coordinated fundraising when major disasters strike.

International aid is an important aspect of Canada's role in world affairs and pressure is on to have Canada increase its contributions to deal with major problems (disease, war and political upheavals) that cause the death of hundreds of thousands each month and misery for millions more. Much of this money can and should be spent through voluntary agencies because they can operate with a degree of flexibility and without the constraints that come with government-to-government programs. For many people in other parts of the world, Canadian voluntary agencies providing aid is the face of Canada. Its often the first time they meet a Canadian or encounter the maple leaf as a symbol of Canadian generosity.

As international aid programs grow, the operations of these agencies will have long-term consequences for Canada's future economic, social and political relations with the emerging nations. We believe Canada's aid programs and the organizations that administer them should be given more serious backing, financial and political, than they have received to date. It would be a practical contribution to a healthier, more peaceful and caring world.--L.K.