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By Felicity Ussher, 16 November 1998 00:20

NEWS A chain of emails working its way around the Internet has resulted in money pouring into the Red Cross' Hurricane Mitch relief project in Central America. Altogether the coordinators of last week's appeal for help did not have the expertise to raise funds online, a lone advertising executive has successfully mobilised the force of the Internet. The email, sent by New York-based Erik Hannah, reads: "Please take a moment to read - thousands of lives can be saved." It links to the Web address of the US Red Cross, and asks recipients to send $5 before passing it on to seven friends, creating "the largest network of giving in history". US reports say the money is flooding in to help find food and housing for survivors of the hurricane. But Hannah's success begs the question of why traditional fund-raisers have not harnessed the power of the Net. International charities including the Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children united last week under the umbrella of the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC). They broadcast two appeals on the UK's BBC and ITV terrestrial television channels, and raised over £2.5m. But the Internet was left untouched. Jamie McCaul, chairman of the committee, told Silicon.com: "We would have organised an online appeal, but we have been caught flat-footed with three appeals in a row. And no-one here has any Internet experience." McCaul said the committee needs volunteers who can design a Web site and educate other staff on how to get the best out of it. After a pause, McCaul added: "One of the reasons why we've hesitated to use the Internet is that DEC is UK-based and we have to be careful about where we ask for money." At the International Federation of the Red Cross in Geneva, a spokesperson said that in fund-raising terms, the charity was limited to Switzerland, and so did not support online fund-raising. Only the US version of the Red Cross Web site supports credit card donations. Those wishing to contribute can do so at www.redcross.org.