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EDITORIAL: Into the teeth of the storms
Red Cross response unfairly criticized
Written by
The Tribune-Democrat
, Johnstown, Pa.
Friday, October 07, 2005 — The following editorial is reprinted/published in its entirety with permission from The Tribune-Democrat.
Originally Published: October 06, 2005 09:42 a.m.
Fairness is supposed to be an American trait, but we have heard unfair and unjustified criticism of the American Red Cross for its disaster response in New Orleans, and throughout the areas devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
We have heard doubts expressed that much of the money donated for disaster relief did not reach the affected areas.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. So far, the Red Cross has distributed more than $1.2 billion in aid, and existing needs indicate it will have to spend an additional $1 billion.
The Red Cross not only has put our dollars to good use, but has taken out about $150 million in loans to allow it to continue serving stricken humanity.
Marty Evans, president of the American Red Cross, admitted that response to the hurricanes has been uneven at times, but situations have dictated that.
Nobody, not even the Red Cross, could be everywhere at once. Some areas were more difficult to reach, and it took longer to get assistance to them.
“Right after the disaster hit, we knew that our traditional and time-tested and effective way of supporting that emergency financial need of the families was just going to be overwhelmed,” Evans said.
This was not a normal disaster situation. Normally, hurricane victims would be out of Red Cross shelters sooner than this, but large numbers remain. They have nowhere to go, no means of living on their own, no hope except that extended by the Red Cross and other relief agencies.
It is very easy to criticize an agency or an individual, but the complaints usually come from one of two sources: Those who did not walk among the mud and the sorrow, or those who were helped, but not to the extent they wanted.
Nobody can claim that the performance of any agency, under the stress that was present along the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast, was perfect. Those on the scene had to react to need they saw surrounding them. Because they did, hundreds of people are alive today and have a hope for the future.
It is easy to criticize, but unless you were there and did better than those you criticize, in fairness you should be quiet.
The Red Cross has done and is doing an unbelievable job in relieving suffering and preserving life. It is the channel for our dollars to perform acts of mercy.
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