I’d respond that’s it’s not an either/or situation. I do donate to help the local community (for different senses of “local”), but there too:
I try to understand what is more effective within that space—e.g. EA Israel did a project at some point of trying to quantify the impact of charities operating within Israel, and they have a donation portal for the recommended charities.
I remember that all the people who are currently suffering keep existing even if I don’t see them in my neighbourhood. And my money, even personally, can have an impact there in the order of magnitude of saving a child’s life.
Re: helping people in our communities
I’d respond that’s it’s not an either/or situation. I do donate to help the local community (for different senses of “local”), but there too:
I try to understand what is more effective within that space—e.g. EA Israel did a project at some point of trying to quantify the impact of charities operating within Israel, and they have a donation portal for the recommended charities.
I remember that all the people who are currently suffering keep existing even if I don’t see them in my neighbourhood. And my money, even personally, can have an impact there in the order of magnitude of saving a child’s life.