• Sweden edition

Heartless thieves steal Haiti cash

Published: 23 Jan 10 09:16 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/24544/20100123/

Robbers broke into a the premises of the Red Cross in Laholm, western Sweden, and made a swift exit with the safe containing around 20,000 kronor ($2,762) collected for earthquake victims in Haiti.

Staff noticed something untoward on arriving at work on Friday morning. An outer door at the back of the building had been forced open.

”Its just terrible that people can do such a thing,” said Nadzija Sabovic, manager of the Kupan Red Cross shop, to newspaper Hallandsposten.

The safe wasn’t especially big or heavy but it was securely bolted down. Still, it was clearly no match for the thieves who managed to break it free and take it with them.

They also got away with a pair of spare keys to other Red Cross offices and shops in the local area.

The contents of the safe included a week’s worth of donations to the Haiti fund and a few collection boxes.

“I hope they get no satisfaction whatsoever from the money,” added Nadzija Sabovic.

Red Cross staff in Laholm will be looking into reviewing their security measures, as it’s the second burglary in as many weeks at the property.

On a previous occasion, an intruder broke in through a back window, rummaged through cupboards and boxes, but left empty-handed.

TT/Christine Demsteader
news@thelocal.se

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09:41 January 23, 2010 by Decedo
When (and if) they're caught, they should be sent to Haiti so complete as sort of community time. But wait, this is Sweden, they'll probably be given counseling for 'mental distress' or something.
10:31 January 23, 2010 by veryprocanadian
Send them to Haiti and make them become blood donors. You know they don't sterilise needles there... pretty lousy thing to do...
10:36 January 23, 2010 by Nemesis
Whoever did this is the lowest of the low.

They should be handed over the Haitan authorities. Justice would be swift.

Unfortunately they will most likely get only a slap on the wrist if caught, if even that.
11:11 January 23, 2010 by calebian22
Nemesis,

Sorry I didn't get your message. The Local won't let me access it for some reason. I did check out your verbal firefight with our good buddy though on the Discussion boards. Funny stuff.
11:12 January 23, 2010 by dsc
@veryprocanadian

"You know they don't sterilise needles there..."

I can safely assume that as individual, you are not far from the vermin that stole the money.
12:15 January 23, 2010 by Plowbridge
Shameful but more common than you think these days. And here is us thinking it is only the management of the Swedish Red Cross that betray and steal from the needy.
12:19 January 23, 2010 by Frobobbles
They took much less than Bengt Westerberg, Johan af Donner and the other crooks at the top of the Swedish Red Cross.
18:48 January 23, 2010 by SonnyBarger
Good! Let us keep some money in Sweden for a change. Sweden loves to give away it's money to third world countries. Sweden is too good hearted at the cost of it's own people. Let us help those that live in Sweden for a change. I would rather that thieves took the money here, rather than thieves took it in Haiti.
21:40 January 23, 2010 by Clint Hart
@SonnyBarger: "I would rather that thieves took the money here, rather than thieves took it in Haiti." I'm kinda wondering would you feel so even if the Robbers are Somalis or East-Europeans ?
23:23 January 23, 2010 by Tiddler
Most of that money, around 87%, would have ended up in the pockets of the directors and shareholders of the Red Cross.

From the comments I know some of you know that international aid is just one huge money spinner for the boys, but for those who don't know, you should realise that the Red Cross is actually a private limited company with shareholders, which means by it's very nature it it legally obligated to return a profit.
03:38 January 24, 2010 by Davey-jo
I'm going to annoy a lot by saying that it doesn't matter who you steal from. The crime is just the same whether it's from a rich man or a poor man.

You can beat your breasts as much as you like but it's still the same crime.
14:09 January 24, 2010 by Texrusso
One thing you guys forget is that an organisation as large as Red Cross can not be run by volunteers alone. You need paid professionals to get things going and thats why some Directors had to be paid. Also Return of Investment(ROI) for Social Entrepreneurship is the way forward for future Not-for profit organisations. Donors want to see good feedback on sustainability.
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