ABSTRACT
Disaster aid is the outcome of humanitarian concern following severe loss. According to Darcy and Hofmann (2003), there are four priorities for disaster aid – the protection of life, health, subsistence and physical security. Aid flows to disaster victims via governments, charitable non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private donors. The role of NGOs such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières is vital. But, according to Stoddard (2003), NGOs generally receive only one-quarter of their income from government funds and are, therefore, dependent on public appeals for sudden emergencies.
