CHARITIES have started tightening their belts as donations take a hit in what one of them has dubbed 'the mother of all economic slumps'.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has frozen hiring for non-medical staff, while the Singapore Heart Foundation has stopped all recruitment.

Next year, the Singapore Red Cross Society will freeze manpower and wages.

Read Theresa Tan's and Melissa Sim's full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.