I agree with this...

and furthermore, what would really be nice is having the ability to donate any and all stray miles and points one has available in order to put them to good use. Not that this is all one may give or anything, but it's kind of like using the concept of a yard sale, where you clean out the basement or garage to give or sell cheaply all the stuff you do not need for the benefit of those who do need it. AND, in doing so, your house and life, and in some cases, your mind, becomes less cluttered. This action better positions one's self to have both the time and ability to give even more in much larger and much more worthy chunks of value down the line!

Hence, if I could give my 2,341 Singapore miles, my 4,024 us air miles, my 301 continental miles, etc... Then I may be more inclined to give say, 25,000 or 50,000 or 75k AA or NWA miles so that a person or two may be able to fly in to find family or out to get safety and medicine!

It is obvious that Aid needs to be set up based on the needs of the ultimate receiving victim, not just the organization that provides it. Also, is there a way to give in such a way that it is set up based on the realistic situation of the giver and not just the receiving organization? I bet more people would give if that were how these things were set up!

I find that because of the vast amount of forms and paperwork that many factions or organizations often forces victims to provide, it is often almost painful in itself to RECEIVE some aid! I have seen this first hand and they really need to make it easier. In these early stages of the disaster, I am certain the average Joe in SE Asia right now is not having to do paperwork to receive water and medical care, but the system for providing aid needs a bit of streamlining and now is a great time to start overhauling it and putting new ideas into action.

MM

aide should be set up in terms of the aid GIVER and the ultimate receiver...