We've all seen or experienced disasters; there seems to be more and more of them every year. In those situations, I'm always wondering what I can do to help. Whether you are near the disaster or far from the actual damage, here are three ways you can make a difference:
1. Check on others
If you are in a community struck by a disaster and you are okay, now is the time to check on others. Help can sometimes be 72 or more hours away. Are your friends and family okay? What about your neighbours? Maybe they need some help getting water, food or blankets. The smallest actions can make you a hero to someone.
I’ve responded to several disasters with the Red Cross and every time, without exception, my faith in humanity is restored as I watch neighbours and entire communities band together to rise above the destruction. It really is an amazing thing to witness.
Please always remember to be safety conscious when you are helping others. Disasters can cause normally safe places to be structurally unsound. Be safe out there.
2. Make a financial donation
The best thing you can donate is money as the exact items that are needed can be purchased as each disaster is unique and the needs can vary. Plus, with any cultural differences, especially with international disasters, it could mean your well-intentioned donation of shoes or clothes are actually inappropriate. Financial donations can be used immediately. Meanwhile, goods have to be sorted, cleaned, stored, shipped, etc. which add costs and time. Your donation can empower people. In some cases families are given vouchers to buy what they need, which can empower them to make choices about how they will recover from the disaster and break the victimization cycle.
If you DO have goods (clothing, etc.), consider selling them and donating the proceeds to a charity that is helping those affected. Or give the items to a local thrift store, they are already set up to receive such items and they can help people right in your community.
3. Volunteer
If you really want to be in the thick of things the best time to become a disaster response volunteer is WELL BEFORE a disaster hits. Who would you want showing up to help you and your family if a disaster hit? I would want someone who has had a background check, is trained to do their job and know how to handle the stress. Well, that's a Red Cross volunteer! So, if this is what you want to do, you should start now.
Don’t worry if a disaster has hit and you haven’t gone through all the training. If you want to volunteer there are still plenty of ways you can help. Check websites and social media sites or watch the news to see where help is needed. If an agency needs help, they’ll let you know. As we saw during the floods in Alberta, people took to social media to post walk-in volunteer opportunities.
If the disaster is international and you want to help, you could also organize a fundraiser to raise funds to help those affected or take to social media and help spread accurate information about what is happening and how people can help. The Canadian Red Cross has rigorously trained aid workers (also known as emergency response delegates) who can be deployed in disasters abroad.
Don't forget that a great way to help others is for you to be prepared for any emergency so available resources can used to assist the most vulnerable in disasters. Here is some information to help make sure your disaster preparedness plan is perfect.
1. Check on others
If you are in a community struck by a disaster and you are okay, now is the time to check on others. Help can sometimes be 72 or more hours away. Are your friends and family okay? What about your neighbours? Maybe they need some help getting water, food or blankets. The smallest actions can make you a hero to someone.
I’ve responded to several disasters with the Red Cross and every time, without exception, my faith in humanity is restored as I watch neighbours and entire communities band together to rise above the destruction. It really is an amazing thing to witness.
Please always remember to be safety conscious when you are helping others. Disasters can cause normally safe places to be structurally unsound. Be safe out there.
2. Make a financial donation
The best thing you can donate is money as the exact items that are needed can be purchased as each disaster is unique and the needs can vary. Plus, with any cultural differences, especially with international disasters, it could mean your well-intentioned donation of shoes or clothes are actually inappropriate. Financial donations can be used immediately. Meanwhile, goods have to be sorted, cleaned, stored, shipped, etc. which add costs and time. Your donation can empower people. In some cases families are given vouchers to buy what they need, which can empower them to make choices about how they will recover from the disaster and break the victimization cycle.
If you DO have goods (clothing, etc.), consider selling them and donating the proceeds to a charity that is helping those affected. Or give the items to a local thrift store, they are already set up to receive such items and they can help people right in your community.
3. Volunteer
If you really want to be in the thick of things the best time to become a disaster response volunteer is WELL BEFORE a disaster hits. Who would you want showing up to help you and your family if a disaster hit? I would want someone who has had a background check, is trained to do their job and know how to handle the stress. Well, that's a Red Cross volunteer! So, if this is what you want to do, you should start now.
Don’t worry if a disaster has hit and you haven’t gone through all the training. If you want to volunteer there are still plenty of ways you can help. Check websites and social media sites or watch the news to see where help is needed. If an agency needs help, they’ll let you know. As we saw during the floods in Alberta, people took to social media to post walk-in volunteer opportunities.
If the disaster is international and you want to help, you could also organize a fundraiser to raise funds to help those affected or take to social media and help spread accurate information about what is happening and how people can help. The Canadian Red Cross has rigorously trained aid workers (also known as emergency response delegates) who can be deployed in disasters abroad.
Don't forget that a great way to help others is for you to be prepared for any emergency so available resources can used to assist the most vulnerable in disasters. Here is some information to help make sure your disaster preparedness plan is perfect.
