The only consolation in a humanitarian catastrophe is solidarity. Human solidarity, our need to help, to offer to our neighbor who is suffering, is a genuine, exciting feeling, this is an important and majestic act.

At the same time, it is an act of great responsibility. It requires seriousness and research, a close look solely at the impact on the land, at the people in crisis, at the conditions there. The single most important question is: how will our assistance have the greatest impact, at the lowest cost, in addressing and mitigating the crisis directly, quickly and effectively?

During humanitarian crises, especially when they occur far from us, it is important to remember three things.

First, we donate money, not things. As the director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and many other philanthropic experts point out, this is the first and most important rule. Organizations on the ground know the needs and can respond quickly and flexibly, which is required in the extremely difficult conditions that prevail. Large and experienced humanitarian organizations specializing in crisis management are always ready, with experienced personnel on alert and warehouses full of needed materials and necessary equipment, and they have mechanisms in place to immediately and quickly procure exactly what they need when they are in they are needed. . In addition, and no less important, by purchasing goods and materials locally, we strengthen the local market and the country’s economy, which in itself is an extremely important result in the long term.

Instead, let’s look at what happens to in-kind donations. Collecting, sorting and transporting items requires a huge amount of human resources, energy and financial costs. To highlight the effectiveness of financial donations, the World Food Program recently created an online tool (www.donateresponsably.org) where anyone can calculate the value and impact of their donation in cash and in kind and compare the two. The transport and storage of items in an affected area often does not interfere with critical rescue efforts in the field—multiple studies have shown that this is exactly what happened during crises such as Hurricane Katrina in America in 2005 or the earthquake in Japan in 2011. and the fact that a large percentage of in-kind donations end up in landfills, further burdening the environment. In fact, according to post-Hurricane Katrina research, this percentage could be as high as 60% of items, while in New York City, after the 2001 terrorist attack, it is estimated that $75 million in in-kind donations did not benefit those affected. , and were later donated to other local organizations and churches in the city. But our own experience in Lesbos in 2015 shows the same thing – I saw full warehouses in Piraeus with my own eyes and participated in sorting things before sending them to Lesvos, throwing away a lot of unnecessary things.

Second, to know that crisis conditions require knowledge and experience, and that it is very easy for you to become part of the problem rather than the solution. Organizations specialized in crisis management, with experience and managerial systems competence, made up of professionals and some experienced volunteers who, without wasting valuable time, get to work on the ground, coordinate with other groups and are effective. maximum effective. When possible, supporting local organizations that we know are effective is even more important – after all, all international organizations also systematically work with local partners. In contrast, non-specialist volunteers travel from the other side of the earth to be there, often complicating critical rescue, intervention, and crisis management work. Working in such a complex area is not for everyone, which is why the existence of humanitarian organizations is so important, which is why the work of professional organizations in times of crisis is so wonderful.

Third, let’s remember that crisis continues after crisis. When the spotlight disappears, people often need more support, and the attention of sponsors disappears. As we have seen during domestic crises, funding for rehabilitation projects can be of greater importance and scope than funding for crisis response.

Instead of an epilogue, let’s look at the reasons for our giving and why we often choose to donate goods rather than money. If this is a lack of trust in local organizations, let’s think again about our need for philanthropy. Philanthropy requires seriousness and critical examination, but cannot be accompanied by non-existent and stereotypical suspicion. Transparency, which regulates the structure of work and communication about the work and impact of organizations, is now widespread, sufficient and easily accessible – at least internationally.

Our need for solidarity can never exceed its essential effectiveness.

Mirto Xantopoulou is an advisor for philanthropy and civil society.