If someone knew personally a couple of good, switched on people running a small NGO on the ground (potentially EA adjacent people), my insinct would be to go for that as it will likely be more efficient and well targeted than later scale efforts
From my experience in the aid world, MSF do an amazing job of counterfactually providing medical care where noone else does or can. In difficult conflict situations I suspect their cost effectiveness may sometimes be surprisingly high as there are likely to be many people who would have died if they weren’t there.
My instincts and prior research has pushed me away from most BINGOs (big international NGOs) like world vision, care international, save the children etc as they are inefficient generalists, without special expertise and are more inclined to follow the whims of donor money with their work rather than double down on their competitive advantage or high impact work on the margins. I don’t see why this would be different in a warzone.
Disclaimer: I know a person working at the organization; as far as I know the org isn’t evaluated by charity evaluators. But I have been following their work, I have donated to them and I deeply admire their approach. I am not aware of a local initiative that is evaluated by charity evaluators—if anyone has any resources, I’d be curious to learn more.
If someone knew personally a couple of good, switched on people running a small NGO on the ground (potentially EA adjacent people), my insinct would be to go for that as it will likely be more efficient and well targeted than later scale efforts
From my experience in the aid world, MSF do an amazing job of counterfactually providing medical care where noone else does or can. In difficult conflict situations I suspect their cost effectiveness may sometimes be surprisingly high as there are likely to be many people who would have died if they weren’t there.
My instincts and prior research has pushed me away from most BINGOs (big international NGOs) like world vision, care international, save the children etc as they are inefficient generalists, without special expertise and are more inclined to follow the whims of donor money with their work rather than double down on their competitive advantage or high impact work on the margins. I don’t see why this would be different in a warzone.
Hi Nick,
Here is a suggestion for a local NGO: Physicians for Human Rights Israel
Their 2022 Impact Report.
Their response to the current crises.
Disclaimer: I know a person working at the organization; as far as I know the org isn’t evaluated by charity evaluators. But I have been following their work, I have donated to them and I deeply admire their approach. I am not aware of a local initiative that is evaluated by charity evaluators—if anyone has any resources, I’d be curious to learn more.
As for other organizations working in Gaza, my contact at PHRI recommends: Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.
Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to try to gather more information!