Red Cross post-tsunami: ‘too much money in the wrong hands’

An evaluation of the Red Cross’ response during the first few weeks after the tsunami concludes that the organisation faces a serious dilemma because it has so much money, and it must enter areas - like house-building on a massive scale - that are outside its usual mandate. The report was completed in March 2005, but was not released for a year by decision of the Red Cross’ international board. (See DT 1/06) Following strong criticism, the evaluation has now been made public.