Public Survey


The CIDI needs your input, please . . . .

The CIDI wishes to sample public attitudes and perceptions regarding donations related to international disaster and humanitarian situations.  The following 14 items are intended to gather basic information.  Some of the following questions are lengthy, though interspersed with shorter questions, and your patience is appreciated.  Thank you for helping us to create a more current image of the public view of donations.

 

1 In the past, have you personally, or with a group, participated in collecting goods (clothing, food, etc) for overseas disaster victims?
yes
no

 

2 In response to past international emergencies, what types of items have you donated?
canned food
used clothing
bottled water
medications
cash
whatever I had at home that I felt the victims could use
other - please describe:

 

3 If you have been reluctant to make cash donations to a professional relief agency in the past, which of the following influenced your decision most?
I want 100% of my cash donations to help the disaster relief victims, not pay the salaries of relief agency employees.
I'm not sure how relief agencies actually spend the money public donates.
I don't know which agencies I can trust.
I don't have enough information about what each relief agency does to make an informed decision.
Giving cash leaves me cold.  I want to be able to do something myself.
I already had canned food, used clothing or other items that I could easily donate.
Other - please describe:

 
4 If you have made donations in the past, which of the following most influenced your decision  (check all that apply)?
I know that whatever kind of material donations I have to offer can be used by disaster victims.
Clothing and food donations will meet the two greatest needs when a disaster happens.
Urgently needed supplies are not available in the disaster-affected country.
The relief agencies and the government did not appear to be responding as well or as quickly as I think they could or should have.
I learned of appeals for help from the disaster victims, their government, relief agencies, churches or others and responded.
I'm an internationalist and follow events that happen around the world with great interest.
I have been through a disaster myself and can empathize with the disaster victims.
Other - please describe:

 

5 If you have been involved in making material contributions for international disaster relief, which were the greatest obstacles in carrying out your efforts?
Availability of free transportation for the donations.
Availability of affordable transportation of donations.
Finding a relief agency in the United States to accept, transport and distribute my material donation.
Finding a relief agency in the affected country to receive and distribute my donation.
Finding reliable information regarding real needs and guidance on how best to help the disaster victims.

 

6 When preparing to respond to an international disaster, which resources do I rely upon to find information regarding the best way to respond?

The U.S. office of the embassy or consulate of that country.
The Internet.
Television, radio or print information to find lists of agencies responding to that disaster.
Friends, family or others from the disaster-affected country.
Friends, family or others from my community.
Situation reports from professional relief agencies.
Other - please describe:

 

7 If you participated in community collections, what type of group were you associated with?

Self / Family
Church
Office / Corporate
Neighborhood / Community
School / University
Group - Civic, Cultural, Professional Organization
Other - please describe:

 

8 Which of the following would inspire you most to become an active participant in a donations drive?

I would initiate a collection drive myself.
Requests from friends, family, and/or colleagues.
Media appeals.
In the past I have historically participated in these kinds of activities when there was a need.
Other - please describe:

 

9 If you have ever participated in a food or clothing drive for disaster victims overseas and were unable to secure transportation or an agency to accept these donations, where did the donations finally end up?

They were donated to a local shelter or agency that could use them.
They were auctioned off and the cash collected was sent to a relief agency.
They were disposed of at the local refuse location.
They remain in storage in a warehouse or garage or other holding location.
Other - please describe:

 

10 Which of the following do you consider to be the most valuable contribution  you can make for international disaster victims?

Cash donation to a relief agency to provide the needed assistance to disaster victims
Food donations
Clothing donations
Medical donations
Volunteer time
Technical expertise
Other - please describe:

 

11 For which of the following international emergencies have you responded?  (Check all that apply and indicate whether the donation was of material, cash, or expertise)

Ethiopian Crisis - 1980's
material cash expertise

Hurricane Gilbert - Jamaica 1988
material cash expertise

Somalia Crisis - Complex Emergency - Long Term
material cash expertise

Sudan Crisis - Complex Emergency - Long Term
material cash expertise

Civil Strife in West Africa - Complex Emergency - Long Term
material cash expertise

Rwanda Crisis - Complex Emergency - Long Term
material cash expertise

Bosnia Crisis - Complex Emergency - Long Term
material cash expertise

Kosovo Crisis - April 1999
material cash expertise

Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania - October 1998
material cash expertise

Hurricane Georges - Haiti and the Dominican Republic - September 1998
material cash expertise

Hurricane Mitch - Central America - October 1999
material cash expertise

Venezuelan Floods - December 1999
material cash expertise

Mozambique Floods - July 2000
material cash expertise

El Salvador Earthquake - January 2001
material cash expertise

India Earthquake - February 2001
material cash expertise

Peru Earthquake - June 2001
material cash expertise

 

12 Which of the following statements do you believe to be true regarding international disaster relief activities?

It is in the United States' national interest to help disaster victims overseas.
Large international and U.S.-based corporations should play a greater role in helping disaster victims.
There should be more opportunities for individuals and groups in the U.S. to help disaster victims overseas.
Greater effort should be placed on helping relief professionals in disaster-prone countries to better respond to emergencies on their own.
The U.S. military plays an important role in international disaster relief operations.
Other - please describe:

 

13 Tell us a little it about yourself, please.

Age Range
less than 8
8 - 15
16 - 18
19 - 25
26 - 45
46 - 70
70 +

 

You Are
Student
Employed
Work in the Home
Retired

 

What Country Are You From:
      

 

14 If you would like to make comments or write a few sentences, please do so here.

      

 

  

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