Earthquake appeal

[mumper]

I received this email this morning - has anyone else on here had it sent to them - I don't mind donating but I'm not sure if it's genuine, cynic that I am!





As Salam Alikum.

The earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan early on Saturday, causing widespread damage.

Thousands of people are feared dead and thousands more left homeless. There are reports of whole villages being

wiped out in northern areas and many trapped in collapsed buildings.

Please join hands to help the victims of the Pakistan Earthquake 2005. You can give donations to this Bank

Account.

Account Title MKRF - Pakistan Earthquake Relief Fund
Bank Name United Bank Limited
Account No. 0102598-5
Branch Code 1234
Branch Name Al-Rehman Branch
Branch Address I. I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi , Pakistan
OR YOU MAY SEND US BY WESTERN UNION, TO SEND DONATIONS BY WESTERN UNION PLEASE CONTACT ON pakistan.earthquake@gmail.com .

Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their

Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Al-Quran, 2:274) (Al-Quran, 2:274) cure for people.' cure for people.'

[Cornish Steve]

I received this email this morning - has anyone else on here had it sent to them - I don't mind donating but I'm not sure if it's genuine, cynic that I am!

John,

You're right to be cynical. There are too many people out there seeking to benefit from the misfortune of others.

A few years ago, we decided never to respond to anyone soliciting for donations. I admit that I sometimes feel callous by refusing an impassioned plea, but I'm comforted by the fact that we donate proactively.

On a related point, when I first visited India, I was touched by the young girls who beg on busy street corners with younger siblings in their arms. I learned, however, that some of these girls do not get to keep what they receive. Since that time, we have sponsored children to be educated in India. I've met one of them and his family, and it's very rewarding. I still feel a little guilty when I turn away from those begging on the street, but my conscience is clear.

I have pursued the following practice for some time now, and I find that it works well. When I travel on business, I can claim a daily per diem amount. Let's say that my dinner allowance is $30, for example. On every business trip, I go without at least one dinner and donate the per diem amount to a charity that feeds children. It's a win-win situation: A child is fed and I get to understand just a little about what it means to go hungry.

Enough of my ramblings! I suggest that we all donate to a charity that we know for sure is genuine to help those affected by the recent earthquake.

[annethedonn]

I would be dubious.... the email is a google account, perhaps you could check with them to see if it is legitimate? Or contact the bank directly to see if it is a genuine relief fund account?

[mumper]

Nice one Steve. I will donate some way or other but I think I'll follow your example where unsolicited emails and requests are involved.

[Belladonna]

I only ever use www.dec.org.uk. This site is sponsored by BT and is the one they advertise on national Telly.

There are of course other organisations such as World Vision, but I would never, ever, ever act on an email like that.

[clickprofits]

I would never, ever, ever act on an email like that.

Me neither - it may be genuine but there were many scam emails doing the rounds after the Tsunami and Katrina - and how did he/they get your e-mail address?

I would give direct to an organisation like MSF - http://www.msf.org/ or DEC who are an umbrella body for several charities.

If anybody is a member (affiliate or merchant) of the Share a Sale network; they are matching all donations you make (effectively doubling it) and the money goes to Mercy Corps (one of the DEC charities) - they did this for Katrina and the Tsunami too. - www.shareasale.com

[clairemackaness]

Looks dodgy to me, I think doing something united as UKBF will be far more rewarding both personally and on a publicity front.

[Tauctionshop.co.uk]

I am trying to collect money for Pakistani people but not this way you must be collecting the money with the advice of charity trust I went to my local charity shop and they said don’t try to collect directly from people it is illegal. So this person who sends you mail first of all it is send by Gmail account and that is 100% sure this person is fraud .I mean there is many ways to help these people go work with charity to collect money for these people or do what I did I went to justgiving.com and made a account there that people that want to help and sponsor me to collect money for this disaster can easily go on my link http://www.justgiving.com/Tauctionshop and donate the money for registered charity and the money goes direct to charity .Please be careful guys there are to many people fraud out there they have no heart and mercy for these people who have lost there families in Pakistan quake disaster and they try to collect money for them self on the name of this disaster.
Thanks

[Pastel_Bridal]

I have posted about this under the non-business related General Forums. If you are interested in donating to relief efforts, I highly suggest you visit the American Red Cross website www(dot)redcross(dot)org/news/in/profiles/Intl_profile_ChinaEarthquake(dot)html
and read up on the various ways to donate. They accept anything from canned goods to monetary donations. Thank you for your efforts.

[julioufay]

What about china? Have you guys heard about the earquake happened in sichuan, china, 7.8 M, causing about 20000 dead, over 20000 injured and thounsands missing, about 100000 army there, the largest number of people in china history within one of transfering for recuse by air using 70 helpcoper and 30 plan.
Within two days, there are already over 1.3 billion RMB donated from socity

[kafuka2002]

yes ,the earthquake is a tragedy in china,you may see in chinadaily
it's the latest news today,all chinese unite together,donate money and materials, i hope we china can get through the difficulty.

[Pastel_Bridal]

Seems I misinterpreted the first post in my haste. I had meant to comment on the disaster in China as julioufay pointed out. Regardless, if anyone is interested in donating to relief efforts, please do so by contacting established organizations such as the American Red Cross, etc. or by contacting your local government to check if there are any organized efforts in your area. China Central Television (CCTV) has a page dedicated to relief efforts as well, and you can find that site at www(dot)cctv(dot)com/english/20080514/102783(dot)shtml or by navigating the CCTV international home page. The relief efforts hosted by the CCTV International website is operated by the Red Cross Society of China.

[julioufay]

You are right, and the donation amount is rising, rescue team from all around the world, many people including those working or stuyding in china has do donation either money or blood and so did I.

[Pastel_Bridal]

Thank you julioufay for contributing and doing what you can to help these victims. I can only pray that all of our efforts will prevent any further loss of human life.

[julioufay]

Thank you julioufay for contributing and doing what you can to help these victims. I can only pray that all of our efforts will prevent any further loss of human life.
Thanks. And you are too, just do what we can do.