While Americans have donated a whopping $644 million to the Haiti earthquake aid and relief efforts through private non-profit organizations, concerns are growing that the generosity will soon fade in the aftermath of the disaster. And despite the ongoing donations at this time, the needs of the Haitian people are not being met and relief isn’t reaching communities in need fast enough.

When it comes to relief on the ground, Camilla Chalmers of the Haitian Platform in Defence of an Alternative Development, says that Haitians are touched by the international solidarity that Haiti is receiving. But she criticizes what she calls the “pathetic excuse of humanitarian aid.”

So before the funding slows, one must wonder where the money that is coming in is going and how it is being spent. Where is it going?

As of February 3, 2010, the American Red Cross had raised $231 million for Haitian relief, yet has only “spent or committed to spend” $67 million (as of the last ARC announcement and disclosure of spending, January 28, 2010). While the ARC details how the $67 million has been spent thus far, it does not speak of the remaining balance of $164 million, which is nearly 70%, of additional funds raised, or how it will commit to use those funds.

Furthermore, the first week after the earthquake in Haiti, the ARC’s website stated that “In just the first week of the Haiti response effort, the ARC already has spent or committed $34 million as of Thursday, January 21, 25 percent of funds raised or pledged.” Again, no mention or transparency on the remaining 75% of funds raised or pledged.

Another example of poorly tracked and regulated relief funds is the story of Will Heaven World, who told the Daily Mail that he donated to Haiti through a Catholic organization (CAFOD – Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). World received a thank you email from CAFOD informing him that his donation was not going to Haiti at all but to drought-stricken East Africa.

World contends that CAFOD had made implicitly clear at the time of his donation that he was donating to the disaster relief effort in Haiti. He followed three prompts and clicked on three separate links, one leading to a “Haiti Earthquake page” and another to a link the said “Please Support Our Haiti Earthquake Appeal.” World says “at no stage was I informed that my cash would be heading to East Africa.”

The criticism the ARC received following Hurricane Katrina and the problem with smaller charities like CAFOD have called more attention than ever to the need for transparency and accountability in relief effort spending. The Better Business Bureau even has a web page advising donors on how to vet Haiti Earthquake charity appeals.

It is with this need for accountability in mind that CAN-DO founder Eric Klein has been on the ground in Haiti since January 16, arriving within four days of the disaster. Eric has been overseeing the delivery of clean water, diesel gasoline for large vehicles to reach the afflicted areas, and relief materials since his arrival. With CAN-DO, you can read his daily blog and watch how your contribution goes directly to those in need. Through real-time video, journal entries and partnerships with other organizations, including Airlines and the Huffington Post, Eric and CAN-DO have been able to document the aid and relief effort so you can see exactly how your donations reach those in need immediately, and how it is being used. You see direct action, direct results, without the bureaucratic red-tape.

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