The country’s first charity information platform is making it possible for donors to see how their money is being used.The charity and donation platform donation.gov.cn, created by the China Charity Information Center (CCIC) under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, went online last weekend.
The platform, the government’s first web leap into public welfare, serves as a bridge between donors and th needy ?both home and abroad – and provides instant information about charitable activities. Peng Jianmei, director of CCIC, said the country is in urgent need of such a platform as charities have not been terribly good at keeping their donors informed.
“This website allows citizens to both donate and seek help. It’s more convenient and transparent,” Peng saiAs more people begin donating to the country’s charities, how that money is bing used by the government and NGOs has become a major concern. Many have been suspicious about the final destination of money donated following last year’s May 12 earthquake in Sichuan.The CCIC’s latest report shows tat only 12 of the 28 groups involved in post-quake rescue work have posted how their donations were spent. It also points out that all 28 organizations failed to be open and transparent in their use of donated funds. Only the source of the money was announced.
Fewer than 40 percent of the 82 national organizations involved in the donations release annual reports and financial statements online, and six institutions do not even have websites, the report said.
