If donating to the Philippines for their recent disasters or Asia generally, it becomes hard because you must be sure that you donate to a charity big enough to be able to do what is needed directly, avoiding anyone local. Corruption there is endemic. I donated to Care Australia and hoped.
While International Red Cross is inefficient, they do get into the disaster area immediately, using banked funds and this is important, aid is needed immediately. They also distribute aid themselves, hopefully keeping it out of the hands of black-marketers.
I used Doctors Without Borders for the New Orleans disaster and still get their appeals although I believe they are honourable.
