How to Help People Recover After Natural Disasters

When disaster strikes, any help is appreciated

Life after natural disasters can be more devastating than the disaster itself. For some survivors, simple activities become major obstacles, such as bathing, eating and drinking safe water. Often they experience the loss of their home, job, family members and friends. Every aspect of their life, as they knew it, is suddenly gone. It can be shocking and overwhelming, not only physically but mentally, as well. There are many ways to lend a helping hand to assist in their recovery.

Things You'll Need

• Money (optional)

Instructions

Help after Natural Disasters

1. 

   Money provides immediate needs for victims

   Donate money to a well-known agency, such as Red Cross or United Way. Review the association's policies to learn how your dollars will be spent. For example, Red Cross readily provides information on how your donation helps when a disaster strikes.

2. 

   Work to help rebuild communities

   Seek employment to help survivors. According to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a disaster assistance employee is on call, and positions are available for a wide variety of skills. If you meet the qualifications and can endure irregular schedules, you'll reap the reward of being able to assist the survivors and get paid at the same time.

3. 

   A small amount of blood is all it takes to save a life

   Give blood for the victims of disasters. Often, during and after a natural disaster, there is short supply of all types of blood types; the few minutes it takes to give one unit of blood actually can save up to three lives.

4. Volunteer to immediately help after the disaster occurs. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website provides information on where you can volunteer your services. Many of the organizations also offer training, and a wide variety of skills are needed. The organizations will inform you of the skills they need during the days directly following the disaster.

5. Donate items necessary to help after the disaster. Check with disaster organizations, and send only items that the organizations request. It costs agencies more money to keep items in a warehouse and arrange shipment to the disaster area than it does to purchase the items in the affected area. The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association suggests if you have items to give, such as clothing, organize a sale in your area to sell the items and raise money for the survivors.

6. Arrange a fundraiser, garage sale or bake sale to raise funds for the survivors of the disaster. This is an excellent way to get individuals in your community involved, allowing everyone, young and old, to invest time without investing money. Kids Health website offers great suggestions to organize your event.

7. Volunteer to help rebuild the community after the disaster. Long after the immediate needs have been met, there will be years of rebuilding. If you can provide long-term assistance, check with organizations in the community that was devastated. You also can visit Volunteer Match, an organization that provides volunteer opportunities, to check out where you can help.

References

• American Red Cross: When Disaster Strikes
• FEMA: Terms of Employment
• Blood Saves Lives: Donate Blood to Save Lives
• National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster; How to Help; Bascombe J. Wilson; Sept. 5, 2009
• Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association: Five Ways You Can Help Disaster Victims
• Kids Health: Natural Disasters: How to Help

Resources

• InterAction: How to Help