Mary, the article is urging people to donate effectively- the author is not saying- nor am I- that those on the spot who can help now are to sit on their hands,but that those outside of the disaster give wisely.

I hope you will always have fishermen with nets and Milky Way bars, but when we give thoughtlessly (sending things that compromise survival and independence) we do harm. I can attest to that, having survived fire, we were homeless and without food, water, clothing, and shelter. Much that we were given and offered was trash, junk, refuse- instead of clean water, hot meals, warm clothes, safe shelter, and tools.