The unfolding disaster in Asia has stunned the world. At a time like this, it’s important that people dig into their pockets and donate to one of the many charities working to help alleviate the immediate, and longer-term problems faced by the people in the area.
I’d ask readers consider donating to one of the many charities working in the region, such as Oxfam, Red Cross, or through the umbrella organisation Disaster Emergency Committee. You can increase your donation in the UK - at no cost to yourself - by ensuring you tick the Gift Aid box to have the tax reclaimed, or by signing up for a Charity Card.
It’s important that the surprisingly small amount so far pledged by the UK government (£411,000 - or 0.7p per person in this country) is topped up by personal and company donations. According to the UN the single largest relief operation the world has ever seen is needed to assist the people in the areas affected immediately, and over the coming weeks, months, and years.
