Much of Red Cross fund for Sandy aid still unspent

Nearly seven months after Superstorm Sandy, a third of the money the Red Cross raised to assist storm victims is still unspent.

The relief organization says it has roughly $110 million remaining out of the $303 million donated specifically for Sandy work.

Red Cross officials say having cash in reserve will help it address needs that weren’t immediately apparent after the disaster.

Some disaster aid experts say that’s a smart move because the toughest and most expensive relief work comes in the rebuilding phase, after the public’s attention has waned and new donations are scarce.

But others say the Red Cross isn’t a long-term rebuilding agency and should give the remaining funds to local organizations better positioned to assist in the reconstruction effort.