A ProPublica investigation, in conjunction with NPR, found the organization “grossly mismanaged” its response to Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. The organization allegedly raised half a billion dollars for the effort and only built six homes. The investigation and subsequent articles resurfaced in light of the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew.
Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, published a statement commenting on the “myths” of the Red Cross’s response to the 2010 earthquake. Ms. McGovern said the investigation and similar articles “”reate the false impression that the only thing the American Red Cross did with the…donor money was to build six homes…when in fact [the organization] funded 100 different humanitarian aid projects” across the country, according to Ms. McGovern’s statement published in the Huffington Post.
However, local aid workers are urging concerned international individuals donate to local relief organizations instead. Samuel Darguin, the executive director for the Haitian American Caucus, a local aid group, said Haitians have more effective rebuilding efforts compared to foreigners.
“A Haitian organization is more likely to understand logistics and how to reach remote communities,” said Mr. Darguin in a statement to the Washington Post. “In mountainous regions, we know the roads and how, for example, to move supplies from large trucks to pickups to motorbikes to hiking on foot, and that can only come from being on the ground for a long time.”
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