Finding ways to help during a disaster
Abstract
Disasters of all kinds, natural, manmade, and technological, happen every day somewhere in the world. Whether disasters are close to home or in a far away place, it is not always clear what the best way is to help. Yet, there are many things, both large and small that individuals can do to assist. This effective practice offers some ideas and was submitted by the Points of Light Foundation in October 2006.Issue
Disasters can seem so large that individuals are not sure where to start to help victims and their communities.Action
According to the Points of Light Foundation, the following are some important ways to help during a disaster:
Donate money. While donating money may seem impersonal, it is the best way to help victims because it guarantees that aid can get there immediately and emergency personnel can provide the supplies that are most needed. Money has no transportation or storage costs, and does not require space or work to sort, clean, or distribute. You can find a list of reputable disaster relief organizations that accept donations at www.nvoad.org.
Have a yard sale. Transporting unsolicited donated goods to a disaster area is expensive, time-consuming, and inefficient and the donations may never get to the intended recipients. However, you can still use those donated goods. Have a yard sale in your community, school, or church. By donating items to the yard sale, and donating the proceeds from the sale to disaster relief organizations, your local community and the disaster area can both benefit.
Get registered. If you are interested in volunteering in the disaster area and are not currently affiliated with a disaster relief organization, you can register your skills and find a volunteer opportunity at www.HelpinDisaster.org. Do not go into a disaster area until you have been connected with a volunteer opportunity to ensure that you will have a positive volunteer experience and that you will have food, water, and housing.
Get trained. If you are interested in volunteering for disaster projects, take the opportunity to get trained. Your local Red Cross Chapter, or Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and your animal shelter may have training opportunities. Because the disaster area is overwhelmed in the first days and weeks of the disaster and cannot support any outside volunteers coming in, you can use that opportunity to receive training so that you are prepared when the disaster area needs volunteers. Remember that volunteers will be needed for months after the initial disaster strikes.
Context
In times of disaster there is a sense of urgency, and naturally individuals want to do something to help. The reality is that relief organizations need to prepare for volunteer participation, but there are other effective means of helping. You needn't rush to the area where disaster has struck to contribute in a meaningful way.Outcome
By finding a way to assist during a disaster, individuals can help disaster victims, prepare their community for future disaster response, and reap the rewards of helping others through disaster volunteer work.Evidence
Helping in time of disasters can have a significant positive impact on disaster victims and devastated communities as well as providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to the individual helping.Posted On
November 8, 2006For More Information