How charities spend?

"Only about half of what is pledged by rich countries ever ends up reaching the poorest people affected by these disasters," Max Lawson of the charity Oxfam told CBC Radio.

Check the financial statements of the major aid organizations and you'll discover the majority of funds donated go towards projects. For instance, according to the 2003/2004 annual reports of some of the country's top charities:

• Oxfam Canada spends 77 per cent of its revenues on programs.
• The Canadian Red Cross allocates almost 90 per cent of revenues towards services.
• In Care Canada's case, it's 95 per cent.
• For Doctors Without Borders, it's about 75 per cent.
• For Canadian Food for the Hungry International, it's 97 per cent.

Source: CBC News, Canada

External Links: Canadian Revenue Agency: charities directorate