A Web site was created yesterday by an alliance of public interest groups to ensure transparency of the use of donations for relief and reconstruction in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot.
“We hope all government and private fundraising units can join us so that every penny donated can be used to its fullest through self-discipline and public supervision,” said Cheng Hsin-chen (鄭信真), president of the Taiwan NPO Self-Regulation Alliance.
The alliance joined forces with the Consumers' Foundation and lawyer and accountant associations in creating the “88.npoalliance.org.tw Web site,” Cheng said.
More than 10 groups that have launched fundraising drives to help those affected by the storm have agreed to post all relevant information on the Web site about the use of all donations.
The groups include the United Way Taiwan, the Red Cross Society, the Eden Social Welfare Foundation, the Child Welfare League Foundation, the Red Heart Association, the Children Are Us Foundation and the Chinese Christian Relief Association.
Cheng said he hoped that non-alliance groups, such as World Vision Taiwan, the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation and all government agencies that opened bank accounts to receive donations will also post information on the Web site.
Ministry of the Interior statistics show that 21 local and central government units and 43 private groups have registered with the ministry to raise funds for post-disaster relief projects, he said.
“We will write letters to all those organizations to join the new platform or at least publish relevant information,” he said.
As government agencies often open accounts for public donations before deciding what relief or rehabilitation programs will be launched, Cheng said the 21 government units should be subject to stringent supervision.
Feng Yen (馮燕), an alliance adviser, said that because Morakot-related donations have totaled an estimated NT$10 billion (US$303 million), public supervision was crucial to prevent abuses.
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