US donations: 1 Billion for Haiti, 100k for Chile, Donor fatigue?

[Liberal_in_LA]

or maybe the media should have avoided reminding us that Chile was in a better situation than Haiti?

Chile relief groups concerned with donor fatigue soon after Haiti earthquake
By Rohan Mascarenhas/The Star-Ledger
March 02, 2010, 5:16AM

When the Haiti earthquake struck, visitors flooded Charity Navigator’s website for tips on where to send their donations.

This weekend, as the devastation in Chile splashed across television screens, the online traffic didn’t jump.

"We’re not seeing that this time," said Sandra Miniutti, the vice president of the Mahwah-based nonprofit agency, which evaluates charities. "We’ve begun to look at the issue of donor fatigue."

Coming so soon after the Haiti disaster, which killed more than 220,000 people, the Chile earthquake may struggle for its share of the limelight, raising concerns among aid groups that fewer wallets will open even as charities try to man relief efforts in both countries.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/chile_earthquake_relief_groups.html

[joeybee12]

1. Probably...

And for some reason seems like the media has covered Haiti more...that always plays a role in donations.

[tekisui]

5. Haiti was a larger disaster.

Chile may wind up with more monetary loss, but the human toll and following humanitarian crisis is no where near comparable.

Further, Chile has a functional government and large developed neighbors.

It makes sense that more money would go to Haiti.

[piratefish08]

2. Compassion can no longer override the fact that most of the country is fucking broke.........

[Owl]

9. I agree. For many the well has gone dry.

[lpbk2713]

3. Maybe if OxyRush were to badmouth Chile the donations would start pouring in. (Revolting image)

It worked for Haiti.






(Added warning)

[RaleighNCDUer]

8. Warning on the pic, please. nt

[grantcart]

4. Chile's government made one of greatest mistakes in PR ever seen

After the earthquake they repeatedly announced that they had the resources to recover, did not anticipate requesting foreign support and was not asking for donations at that time.

The reality is that most of the money is raised in the first 2 weeks and after that it is very hard to raise money.

As admirable as Chile's approach was they really made it difficult to get the big emotional donations that follow these kinds of disasters.

[Rebubula]

6. This is silly

The comparison is ludicrous.

220,000 dead and a country that was already 3rd world is even worse - COMPARED - to 1000 or so dead and a country that is moving up in all respects and LOTS of natural resources.

[Blue-Jay]

13. This is the correct answer.

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. Less donor fatigue than exhaustion of resources.

Haiti was a much larger disaster, and had less capability to cope with it, than Chile. At the same time, it happened first. Particularly in this economy, there comes a time when you can't give any more - it's just not there. It's already been given.

[hlthe2b]

10. Haiti was a larger disaster both BEFORE & AFTER

I can't believe DUers are suggesting otherwise.... Chile has incredible resources and infrastructure in comparison. They didn't even ask for international help initially.

[HeresyLives]

11. Argentina got hit too, and it's never even been mentioned.

[Warpy]

12. Chile got badly damaged. Haiti got DESTROYED

and I think that's the main reason.

[DJ13]

14. I think its a lack of MSM coverage

How many days in a row was Haiti covered non stop, yet the MSM didnt feel Chile warranted much coverage after the second day.