Pakistan

With some 20 million people now affected, Pakistan is now experiencing the worst flooding in recorded history. More than 1,600 people feared dead and up to 5 million homeless.

Although the imminent concern is to provide humanitarian aid, the country holds such great strategic importance that any disaster threatening to destabilize this vital region must be dealt with quickly. It is bordered by Afghanistan, Iran, China and India, each of which are key players located in a very tense part of the world. When the nuclear factor is added in, the anxiety meter for keeping stability in this crucial part of the world is ramped up even more.

It appears that it will be just a matter of time before the U.S. and Iran will confront each other with more than just tough words. If and when that happens, the fundamentalist Muslim state will be even more important to the U.S.

Pakistan's agricultural base, which provides vegetables, fruits and wheat has been devastated by the flooding, so the basic food staples are a desperate need. So far, America is once again leading the relief effort - with about $150 million already committed - but the rest of the world seems slow to respond to this crisis.

Americans are known for their compassion in times of crisis and distress. Early this year, it was the massive earthquake in Haiti that required immediate attention and our citizens responded. Many are still working in that devastated region.

When choosing to donate to a relief agency, an online website called Charity Navigator is a good source to help you decide where to give.

The resource topics on the site include Tips for Older Donors, What to do When A Charity Calls, How to Stop Solicitations By Mail, Tips For Giving In Times of Crisis, Protecting Yourself From Online Scams, Tax benefits of Giving, Guide to Volunteering, and A Donor's Bill of Rights.

Given the number of telephone scams targeting elderly residents of our area in recent months, this site can be a great tool to help you guard against the thieves that surface whenever there's a crisis.

One of the most important tips Charity Navigator stresses is to use an established charity. If you do feel compelled to give to a new charity, the online search group advises to get proof that the group is in fact a registered public charity with 501 (c) (3) status.

The group also advises to be wary of telemarketers who are soliciting for contributions over the phone. A person should never divulge credit card information to a person soliciting over the phone. Instead, you should ask them to send written information so you can do your own research.

Graphic scenes of the massive suffering in Pakistan is very heart-wrenching, and will continue to be a part of the daily news cycle in the days ahead. Unfortunately, it's also a prime time for scammers, eager to prey on those emotions by trying to steal from well-intended donors.