The devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and northern Syria on Feb. 6, 2023 was met with an overwhelming response from donors and well-wishers around the world. Local organizations – always the first responders – mobilized quickly and international agencies did the same, launching appeals and activating their emergency response teams.

The pattern is repeated time and time again throughout the world: A cataclysmic event, whether flood, earthquake, outbreak of war or some other horror, leads to an outpouring of generosity from the general public, private philanthropic organizations and governments. Many millions of dollars are raised and this flexible, rapid funding is channeled directly to the network of local organizations on the ground that are already there and are already helping.

Except that it doesn’t.

Yes, the funds are raised. But almost none of it is flexible. And almost none of it reaches local organizations.