Just a few weeks ago, on Jan. 12, a 7.0 earthquake hit the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere, a tiny nation in the middle of the Caribbean. The impact was catastrophic—expected death tolls up to 100,000—and the demand for widespread response was immediate.

The surrounding countries have been spurred into action on every level of society. From governments to NGOs and from churches to charities, the request has been simple yet urgent: please give to assist the people of Haiti.
Even Hollywood celebrities have been motivated to advocate: George Clooney recently organized a massive entertainment telethon in order to rally financial support.

In the midst of impressive international reaction, the question remains: which vehicle for Haiti aid is truly most effective? When all the hype is stripped away, is governmental efficiency superior to charities?

Any approach has the capacity to do extraordinary good for the disaster-ravaged families of Haiti. As unique arenas of our world feel motivated to campaign, more aid can be received and more can be accomplished. Natural disasters have a way of reminding us of our common humanity, which is present in every sector of society.

However, there are natural advantages and disadvantages to using certain frameworks as the aid vehicle. The opinions are diverse—“governments are wasteful, NGOs are under-funded, churches are misguided”—but sound principles for decision-making when it comes to giving aid seem hard to come by.

While it may be difficult to delineate clear judgment calls, the following suggestions may be helpful when navigating through the overwhelming number of possibilities:
Do some research. Spend an hour exploring a potential aid organization and the work they are involved in. The more you have done your homework, the more confident you will be when it comes time to release part of that paycheck.

Eliminate the middlemen. Forget the celebrity that claims your donation is going somewhere helpful. Most aid organizations have precise systems for accepting donations. The closer you are to the source, the better.

Utilize a friend. Place funds in the hands of a person with whom you have an established relationship. It is easier to trust your pastor or a well-connected colleague with your hard-earned money than a random activist.

Volunteer your time. Even a few days at an NGO doing research or a week cleaning up on the ground in Port-au-Prince could be a far more valuable contribution than carelessly sending a few dollars into the abyss of aid.

Ultimately, you can only be responsible for the intention of your gift and your desire to help those struggling through less-fortunate circumstances. Nevertheless, there are strategies that can help you get the most of every aid dollar you contribute, and that is always a positive thing. Happy giving!