Quote:
Originally Posted by worth
Great news.
$50 million seems like so much money, but when you do the math and divide it out by 80,000 people, it's almost peanuts. There are people saying, OK, stop giving money to the Red Cross, they have enough, but in reality it barely scratches the surface.
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I dont think its that simple. The great thing about the Red Cross is that it getting money to everyone whose been affected and is doing it quickly. The problem is that speed comes at the expense of assessing need.
A lot of people will be almost fully covered through their insurance companies. I imagine the province will also cover a lot of peoples insurance deductable, immediate needs like toiletries and clothes, some type of aid for those underinsured, new appliances, landfill charges, via a disaster recovery program.
So from that perspective - I understand the sentiment. The Red Cross is going to distribute most funds to everyone equally, but needs will not be equal. Those who have been laid off hourly work or work for a small business that can't afford to pay them will hurt more than salaried workers who will continue to earn a full paycheck (like those working for the city, suncor and syncrude among others). Those who underinsured or couldnt afford insurance will hurt more than those that have it. A lot of tenants probably dont have tenant insurance. People who are suffering from PST will need extra support. Those who don't have family (or have relationships with their family) anywhere else in the country need more support than those with family they can turn to. Those who got their vehicles out need less help than those who left their vehicles behind in Fort McMurray. Young people and families may have less savings than empty nesters.
The possibilities are endless. Its not to say, "don't give," but a time will come where grass-roots organizations can be more effective at assessing specific needs and targeting those needs cost effectively and efficiently.