Photo © 2011 AFP /AAP/LAURENT FIEVET
This year seems to have witnessed disaster after disaster after disaster.
Just when half the country was flooded and the other half on fire, a cyclone rolled in.
Across the water, earthquakes and tsunamis are ravaging other countries.
Despite this bombardment from nature both at home and overseas, Australians continue to reach into their pockets and donate what they can.
According to The Age, the Red Cross alone has received $8.5 million for Victorian flood relief since January 17, $2.4 million for N.Z. earthquake appeal since February 23, and has administered over $300 million donated to the Premier’s relief fund since December 29 for the Queensland Flood Appeal.
Every major event this year seems to have donated some of their profits to charity, and Facebook is full of evidence of people wanting to help.
Yet charities are concerned that with Australians being asked to give again and again, they may consequently experience ‘charity fatigue’, a condition in which people become hardened to donations and appeals due to overexposure to an event.
In a time when Australians are feeling the financial pinch, can our wallets take the strain of donating once again?
It appears so; the Red Cross has received almost $250,000 since they launched their Japan and Pacific Disaster appeal on Saturday.
There are many organisations appealing for donations for Japans Earthquake and Tsunami Relief.
Just some of these charities are:
Save The Children Australia – Japan Earthquake $5 million Appeal Worldwide
http://www.savethechildren.org.au
The Australian Red Cross - Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011
http://www.redcross.org.au/japan2011.htm
Salvation Army Australia
World Vision Japan Appeal
Are you suffering charity fatigue? Vote in our web poll.
