Aiding care effort

IT may seem a long way from the tragic squalor of earthquake- shattered Haiti to the recent problems of the United Kingdom freeze-up. It was surprising, however, that Joyce McMillan didn't focus on the parallels in her reflections on "philanthrocapitalism" (Opinion, 16 January).

How we respond to the horror of Haiti and the challenge of the elderly surviving in the cold does say a lot about the way we are governed. Neither can rely on private charity alone because that can never be a substitute for organised justice. But both situations deserve a more co-ordinated approach from governments and public agencies.

People are more likely to respond to pleas for donations for Haiti if they can see, for example, that the question of cold weather payments at home was handled efficiently and sensitively. They are also more likely to help if they are convinced that the aid effort in the Caribbean, and elsewhere, is proving effective in the short term and reaching the people who really need it.

Every time a disaster occurs, public cynicism is heightened simply because the question "is my help or donation going to the right place?" is never answered satisfactorily. Every time a freeze-up occurs here, there are questions about whether the elderly are getting the physical and financial help they need.

Nobody can predict just exactly what the circumstances will be in both events. But it's not asking too much to ask for a coherent fuel-poverty strategy at home and a coherent disasters' programme for events abroad.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife