How does one determine that a "charity" is either bogus, controlled by terrorist entities, or is diverting some relief funds to "inappropriate" recipients? This is no easy task, but here are some proven red flags that may help you. When these indicators begin to add up, beware the charity. I am not being cynical here, just prudent. Some indicia:

• The relief zone is an operational area for terrorist entities, either currently, or in the recent past, where there may be supporters or a terrorist financing framework is still in place to acquire money or items of value.
• The charity is new, has never been adequately vetted, or has non-transparent management. Do not rely upon your national charity information organisation, as they are frequently using obsolete or incorrect facts to pass upon the charities in question. They also may ascribe benevolent aims to the charities that do not exist, based solely upon self-serving information supplied to them. 
• The area where the funds are destined is home to radical political or religious factions sympathetic to terrorists, and who could easily act as terrorist affiliates in funneling money to terrorist organisations.
• The national government infrastructure in the area where the relief is going is weak or ineffectual, or the region is an autonomous political subdivision.

Please also be aware that flooding this week in Afghanistan has caused loss of life in that country, which has areas now totally controlled by the Taliban. If the death and destruction turns out to be widespread, expand your zone of concern accordingly. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ * When terrorists cash in on disaster, World-Check 27 August, 2006.