There's no question Haiti is a difficult place to operate, especially after the earthquake. For a broader take, check out this excellent take: http://www.amazon

There's no question Haiti is a difficult place to operate, especially after the earthquake. For a broader take, check out this excellent take: http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Truck-That-Went/dp/1137278978 http://www.amazon.com/The-Big-Truck-That-Went/dp/1137278978 That said, according to our sources -- about a dozen current and former Red Cross employees -- and a bunch of internal documents, many of these problems were of the Red Cross' own making. Sometimes it was basic issues like leaving key jobs unfilled for months. Or prioritizing public relations concerns over aid. But a lot of it flowed from the fact that the Am Red Cross doesn't do international development and no roots in Haiti. The more successful groups tended to be the ones that had roots there, had Haitians in high positions, etc. As for the next big disaster: I think it's case by case. Look for groups in the country in question -- whether actual local groups or foreign groups who have been there for a long time and have deep ties.