Over the past two decades, the general public in affluent western societies has become vividly aware of major disasters from around the world through the improving technology of the news media. Each one of us can readily recall the instantaneous reports on earthquake ravaged Guatemala in 1976; war-torn Nicaragua and Cambodia in 1979; and devastating earthquakes in Italy and Algeria in 1980.

Once alerted to the magnitude of these disasters, private organizations (churches, foundations, civic clubs, etc.), some 300–400 in number, in dozens of countries mobilized public support through news reports, ads, public service announcements, speeches and circular letters. For example, the Pittsburgh area raised over one half million dollars for refugees in Southeast Asia in 1980 that was channeled through such groups as UNICEF, Catholic Relief Services, and the International Rescue Committee.