The government will not make a habit out of offering to double the money raised for charities and good causes, aid minister Bert Koenders said on Thursday evening.

Koender was responding to criticism from MPs about his decision to double the amount raised in last month’s television and radio fundraiser for victims of the Haitian earthquake. The government is donating €41.2m to the appeal fund, equal to the amount raised on the night.
But the €41m pledged during the tv and radio show also includes substantial sums from provincial and local governments, leading some MPs to question the double payments on behalf of taxpayers.
The Netherlands also sent a team of rescue workers with dogs to Haiti to help find survivors and has offered to send 60 military police officers to help with policing.