In one of the largest relief efforts in history, a new issue is cropping up: mismatched aid.

Relief groups have opened boxes meant for tsunami survivors to discover coats sent by donors apparently unaware the island nation is in the tropics, as well as polyester shirts and pants, which don’t absorb sweat, and fleece baby clothes.

“They’d melt to death,” said Pam Porodo, co-founder of Impakt Aid, a recently formed independent group working out of Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital.

Westerners touched by the suffering also have sent food, generously emptying out their larders of items that might be standard fare back home but don’t quite work locally.

Canned mixed vegetables in cream sauce are one example. First of all, most locals don’t have a can opener. Secondly, people here eat fresh vegetables and most don’t like the taste of creamed or canned food, or may well get sick from it.

Read more