From Businessweek:
American contribution to philanthropies increased by 6.1% in 2005, according to the 2006 Giving USA report, released June 19. Nearly half of the additional funds were earmarked for relief for a host of natural disasters, most notably Gulf Coast hurricanes, as well as tsunami devastation in Southeast Asia and an earthquake in Pakistan.
One of the more interesting points is where the article highlights the relationship between media attention and charitable giving:
The Oct. 8, 2005, earthquake in Pakistan received far less media attention and funding, with $150 million donated from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
With the rise of blogging and citizenship media, it sounds like there is an opportunity here to do something about disasters that don’t get enough media attention.