Following Hurricane Harvey, an Atlantic, Category 3 hurricane that left Texas in a devastated state, people have persistently urged others to donate to organizations in order to help those in need. However many are hesitant to donate to the Red Cross as they are not fully convinced that the Red Cross is spending their donations in a justifiable manner.

The Red Cross claimed that on Sunday, August 27, they sheltered 6,000 people, and are prepared to provide shelter to an estimated 30,000.

Although in 2010, when a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, the charity raised half a billion dollars. They claimed to help Haitians rebuild. The Red Cross claimed to have provided homes to over 130,000 people, but the organization only built 6 permanent homes despite plans to continue this project, according to the Huffington Post. As a result, many are urging people to donate to churches in order to ensure their donations are being spent sensibly.

In an interview between the Washington Post and spokeswoman Bristel Minsker, she stated that the organization “absolutely honors the intent of their donations” and makes sure the donations are spent accommodating those in need, and adhering to their claims of doing so.

Furthermore, David Dymond, an employee for the organization’s biomedical service division, had stated “most money goes towards victims. Some expenses are used for [internal expenses], although that is true for most organizations.”

“The biomedical division sent over 500 units of blood to Houston, just from Connecticut, as well as 2,500 disaster workers, within the first week. We have sent more since then,” said Dymond.

On the charity’s website, they state that $1,736.3 million go towards the collection, testing, manufacture, and distribution of, an estimated, 6.8 million blood products. $332. .8 million are put towards the respond to disasters. $65.2 million are used to provide more than $148.3 million are used to deliver preparedness, health and safety courses. $119.7 million are used for internal relief programs, while $33.2 million go towards community services.

Some might argue that amidst all of these virtuous acts, perhaps the organization simply does not have the means to track all of the individual premises that go into these disasters. Others will argue that they wish to know where their money is being spent.

Overall it all comes down to one question, is the Red Cross a reliable organization?

In regards to Hurricane Harvey, Dymond says “As far as the biomedical division is concerned, I believe that [the organization] is very reliable”.