Having read your article on aid relief to South-east Asia (14 January, page 15), I would like to draw your attention to my own experiences working in Pakistan and Afghanistan, for several years, in a variety of different organisations.

Part of the problem as we saw it was that some sort of logistical lead on projects was essential, or you could not guarantee getting the money to the right places. We are fortunate in the West to have such expertise, but it needs to be organised properly.

I believe that as building professionals we can all contribute with ideas and input. Money is certainly an important and vital criteria, but it must be spent wisely.

Elaine Anderson, RIBA

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