Reprimand for Red Cross

Washington - The US Red Cross, which has raised $564 million for its Liberty Fund, established in the wake of September 11th, …

Washington - The US Red Cross, which has raised $564 million for its Liberty Fund, established in the wake of September 11th, nearly half of all money raised by charities, has come in for serious criticism from Congress over its decision to put as much as $260 million aside for future "emerging" needs, writes Patrick Smyth.

The row has compounded growing anger among recipients of aid from the 80 charities involved in relief efforts at the bureaucratic hoops many have had to go through to apply for help. Grieving family members have faced queues and demands that they repeatedly document their circumstances each time they approach another agency.