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  MP wants help for disaster donations
 


Unsuitable items such as novelty
soaps and inappropriate clothing were donated to the Tsunami appeal but could not be sent to
the disaster zone

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon has called on the Department for International Development to give the public better advice on donating goods to disaster appeals, as a new report finds that many non-cash items donated to the victims of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami were unsuitable and could not be used.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the Commons public accounts committee published its report on the way humanitarian aid was provided immediately after the Tsunami struck.

The report notes the generosity of the British people in donating items such as blankets, tents and bottled water, but also finds that some donated items, such as unsuitable clothing and novelty soaps, were inappropriate and could not be sent.

Mr Bacon, a member of the committee, said today: “The British public should be very proud of the outstanding effort they made in raising £300 million and donating vital supplies to help those affected by the Tsunami. However, it is a great pity that some of these items, given in good faith to provide comfort and relief to the survivors, could not ultimately be used”.

“Many people prefer to give supplies to disaster appeals rather than cash, but they need to know what items will do the most good. Advice on making non-cash donations is certainly available and ministers must make sure this guidance gets to the public quickly if such donations are to be effective”.

23 November 2006