Safe quake donations to beat the scammers

Scammers have reportedly been cashing in on people’s goodwill and the desire to donate money to help with the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria.

The Perthshire team at Neighbourhood Watch Scotland has received a number of calls asking for advice on how to donate safely and ensure that donations are going to the official channels rather than to scammers.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal which brings together 15 leading aid charities from across the UK to raise funds quickly and efficiently. The website is www.dec.org.uk. Neighbourhood Watch Scotland advises the public:“Money is normally the most useful donation you can make, particularly when giving to charities with experience of operating in crisis zones.

“As well as enabling aid organisations to get essential aid to people directly in crises zones, it will also help the people fleeing conflict and danger to get exactly what they need, when they need it, no matter where they are.

“The needs in a humanitarian crisis are constantly shifting, and donated goods are not usually the best solution. It can take a lot of resources to manage, sort, and dispose of unneeded items in countries which are providing emergency support.

“But if your community has already gathered items, and now find that you can’t distribute them as you had first intended, you may want to consider alternative ways to distribute the items so they are used in a positive way.

“Find out more at ready.scot/humanitarian to help people provide humanitarian support by making donations and volunteering in a safe and effective way.”