Would you give money to charity?

Every day we see on television a programme which raises money for some charity or other. This happens sometimes to help the victims of a natural disaster somewhere in the world. But, for me it's not always a good idea for the individual to donate money.
In the first place because you can never be sure who you are giving your money to. Apart from this, if the money is sent to a foreign country, it may end up into the account of corrupt local officials. If food and medical supplies are sent, we often discover later that they cannot be distributed because of lack of infratructure or because local warlord captures it for his own use, or to sell on the black market.
I think it would be better if it were the government who oganises help on an international scale. Help should be provided to develop these countries in such a way taht they can foresee these problems and solve them with their own means.
In conclusion we should help these people who are living in poor conditions; but I think we should help them in more permanent ways so that they are more prepared to help themselves.