In Kind Direct Coordinates In Kind Response for Tsunami Victims

In Kind Direct is coordinating a UK in-kind response to the tsunami disaster by providing a link between companies and charities working in south east Asia.

 Working with its emergency relief charity partners, In Kind Direct is channelling goods to the affected areas. The first consignment - of surgical gloves, alcohol gel, bandages, toiletries, shoes and clothing - is being shipped to Sri Lanka next week.

 “We are in touch with our regular donor companies to offer them a simple way to get goods to the stricken areas and would be glad to hear from others who would like to work with us,” says chief executive Robin Boles.  “And through our many charity partners who have emergency relief expertise and teams on the ground, we are also able to identify what items are needed in the short term, as well as what will be required later on. In-kind giving can be a particularly useful resource after the initial stage too, stretching funds and allowing more money to be channelled to reconstruction.”

 She continues, “Although many of the country’s largest companies have pledged large amounts of money and staff support, others would like to help by giving in a different way, and particularly for manufacturers, retailers and smaller businesses, this can mean supplies and equipment.  Companies who either have insufficient quantities to deal with the major emergency relief organisations or choose to give to the smaller players, which also have a very important role, can donate goods through In Kind Direct”.