Its primary customers are nongovernmental organizations and the organization readily admits it fine-tunes its distribution based on the experience of its customers. They're the people who see the need and know what really helps the people at the time. King also says he sits down with the groups in the aftermath of a disaster to assess what really worked and what could be changed in the packs to further alleviate the suffering. King also notes the importance of pre-positioning more supplies closer to likely disaster areas. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for organizations to raise money for such an investment.
People are more inclined to give after a disaster hits than to help buy insurance for the region.
But to groups whose primary mission is to provide disaster relief, it is only a matter of time before the next tragedy strikes. Those who have supplies ready and within range of the disaster will be the ones who are able to truly alleviate suffering and offer hope to victims before it is too late. Dale Hanson Bourke is publisher of Religion News Service. E.W. Scripps Publications , All Rights Reserved. Site users are subject to our User Agreement .