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Compassion, Giving Must Extend Worldwide 

In recent weeks, there has been concern that the more than $1 billion in donations to Sept. 11 relief efforts will divert funding from national and local charities. Less has been said about how international causes will be affected by this tragedy.

On one hand, I feel tremendous satisfaction that millions of Americans have been moved to respond to Sept. 11 in such a heartfelt way on behalf of others. Yet at the same time, I cannot help but feel saddened that we have not seen a comparable outpouring for other tragedies around the globe. Our intense focus inward could lead many donors to ignore people in the most impoverished parts of the world.

I wonder if such a fundraising effort could ever be mobilized for the approximately 30,000 children under the age of 5 who die every day worldwide from mainly preventable causes, as UNICEF estimates. Though hopeful about our collective power as a society to effectively respond to human tragedy, I remain concerned about the countless others who are being left out.

Even before the terrorist attacks, overseas giving was relatively small in comparison to the total donations made by Americans. Less than 2 percent of all donations made last year went to charities that work abroad, according to the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel's Trust for Philanthropy. Given the intensity of suffering and lack of social services in developing countries, the rate of international philanthropy seems inadequate.

The military action in Afghanistan has brought increased international attention to the plight of that country's vulnerable population. Yet Afghanistan is but one of many places in the world in need of assistance. For example, the war and humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to 2.5 million deaths in only three years.

Each day, 8,500 children and young people worldwide are infected with HIV, and 2,500 women perish from AIDS. Contaminated water in developing countries takes the lives of 5 million children each year.

Many Americans are reluctant to give internationally out of concern that their donations will not reach those who need it most. For others, the perceived magnitude of global problems leads them to wonder how they can begin to make a difference.

In response to these concerns, it is crucial that leaders in international philanthropy demonstrate how grass-roots efforts abroad can be effective and accountable. What's more, we must point out just how far donated dollars will go: In most parts of the developing world, a small donation can be stretched to change many more lives than one might have thought possible.

It is understandable that the terrorist attacks at home should receive much more attention than other tragedies worldwide. This incident personally touched our lives. It affected our friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Yet in light of the tragedy, it is more crucial than ever that we not turn away from the world but more fully engage in it.

When I tell people of my work with international charities, I am often asked, "Why are you helping people in other countries when there are so many people in need at home?" I often respond with the same arguments I have offered here, but it all comes down to one simple fact. When a 3-year-old from India or Afghanistan stands next to my 3-year-old child, is one less human than the other?

Every person in this world is equally human and deserves the opportunity to realize his or her own potential. Each person deserves the right not to die from starvation or from violent terrorist attacks. That should be the message organized philanthropy sends as the nation seeks to recover from a horrific moment in history.

For more information, contact Marc Ross Manashil at marc@theclarencefoundation.org or (510) 558-7188.