Time for giving

The recent earthquake in the small Asian nation of Nepal is a great reminder that disaster can strike anywhere, any time. The country, best known for its religious heritage and access to Mount Everest, is reeling in the aftermath of the 7.8 quake, which has killed more than 5,000, a number that is expected to rise in the coming days and weeks.

In Newslines this week (see “Finding the good,” page 10), we check in with local math professor Sanjay Dev, a Nepal native who is raising funds to help people in his home country. We commend his efforts and encourage others to do the same. America is the richest country on the planet and, despite our penchant for greed, we are also one of the most giving countries. Let’s continue that legacy.

Like Dev, we are wary to recommend donating to just any organization. As we saw with the devastation in Haiti—and allegations that corruption ate up much of the financial aid sent there—good intentions are not always good enough. Do your research. Look up organizations on sites like charitynavigator.org, which rates charities based on financials and transparency, and give to groups that have a reputation for their work in the region. In short, make sure your donation goes as far as possible toward helping victims of this tragedy.