Red Cross Scam Exposed by Pro Publica

(NaturalNews) A pair of massive, once-in-a-generation storms lambasted regions of the U.S., leaving in their wake destruction, some death and havoc. Hundreds of thousands of people were without food, shelter and power, many for weeks on end. But Americans responded like they always do after such disasters, whether they occur on home soil or abroad: They opened up their pocketbooks and donated to charities ostensibly aimed at helping victims.

In particular, according to a recent investigative report by ProPublica and National Public Radio, Americans sent the Red Cross hundreds of millions of dollars because they believed that their donations would be well used to relieve the suffering of victims pounded by Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Isaac.

It didn’t happen. Per the report:

The Red Cross botched key elements of its mission after Sandy and Isaac, leaving behind a trail of unmet needs and acrimony, according to an investigation…. The charity’s shortcomings were detailed in confidential reports and internal emails, as well as accounts from current and former disaster relief specialists.

In addition, the investigation found that Red Cross officials in the nation’s capital deepened the charity’s incoherent response by “diverting assets for public relations purposes,” according to this internal Red Cross report. Furthermore, the distribution of relief supplies was “politically driven.”

Red Cross supervisors during Isaac directed dozens of trucks that are most commonly used to deliver aid to be driven around mostly empty, “just to be seen,” according to one of the drivers, Jim Dunham. “We were sent way down on the Gulf with nothing to give,” Dunham told investigative reporters. In many ways, he added, the Red Cross’s relief effort was “worse than the storm.”

Much more in the full article, and subsequent links: http://www.naturalnews.com/047863_Red_Cross_charities_Superstorm_Sandy.html
Archived as pdf: Red_Cross_exposed_scam_by_ProPublica