Sir, – I welcome the collective appeal by the chief executives of Concern, Oxfam Ireland and Christian Aid and the director of Trócaire (December 28th) for the Government to use its influence when it assumes its role as EU president in 2013 to raise higher up the international agenda the appalling humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I hope the Government will respond positively to this request. A collective appeal strengthens their case.
Perhaps this coming together by charitable organisations might be further explored for the benefit of those in need. All of the above charities have their own individual structures, including office space, administrative staffs, chief executives, executive directors, advertising agencies, salaries, etc, and are in competition with each other for funding.
As demand for donations increases, the money citizens can spare is decreasing because of the economic downturn.
Would it not make economic and logistical sense if these organisations pooled their staffing and managerial structures, their financial resources, expertise, infrastructure, field experiences and all other relevant know-how, and do collectively what they do individually, get food and other assistance to the needy at minimum cost?
The monetary savings accruing from an amalgamation of these institutions would be considerable.
To have so many different charities working towards the same goal and incurring repetitive charges and costs is economic folly.
Administrative cost could be slashed considerably if there was agreement on a centralised structure.
We may have to do without a few executives but the savings could be utilised to help those more needy. – Yours, etc,