http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/somalia/15565

You've probably been following the recent news about pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia.

Nearly everyone agrees that the root of the problem isn't at sea, but on shore. Somalia is a failed state. More than three million people — a third of the country — are in need of humanitarian assistance.

I kinda dig Mercy Corps a lot. I've set up $100+ monthly donations to them (the junk food and eating out I've been cutting out of my diet more than allows for it. :) ) They've got a 4/4 star rating on charitynavigator.org. (I also do donations to Oprah's Angel Network- She can afford to cover many extra expenses, you know, so more of your money easily goes to where it belongs.)

As a side note, I just found that Charity Navigator site today and need to remember to do a more thorough search of it. I like the ease and focus of Mercy Corps, but I'm not so sure how I feel about terminology entirely? I'm trying to find a place which focuses more on "promoting abundance" than "ending hunger", you know? I really believe it's harder to escape the negative if your focus is on it . . .

I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.
- Mother Teresa