Following the Christchurch earthquake and recent floods in Queensland and Victoria, the generosity of the human spirit has never been more moving. Michelle O’Leary looks at how anyone can help victims of natural disasters.

In the wake of any natural disaster, the surviving victims often face excruciating hardships. Their homes, transportation, resources, and tragically even loved ones may have been destroyed by the catastrophe. They are often in desperate need of assistance. The basic needs of most natural disaster victims include money, food and nutrition, water, health services, security, shelter, non-food basic necessities, and sanitation. While some countries are able to handle such a crisis on their own, many others are in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

Cash Donations

In some instances, an influx of monetary donations is more critical than goods and services. A steady, supportive cash flow can often help get the victims the goods and services they desperately need faster than having those things donated and distributed to the beleaguered populace. Distribution of materials can be an obstacle to swift aid, and as long as the people have access to the goods that they need, money is often a more efficient method of aid, plus provides recipients with choice, allowing them to decide the most appropriate way to fulfill their needs. Cash donations also have drawbacks, including susceptibility to security and corruption issues, and possible difficulties reaching the appropriate recipients.

Food and Nutrition

Addressing the food and nutritional crises of a disaster location is one of the most crucial aspects of humanitarian aid. However, providing immediate food and nutritional support is often impeded by the logistics of distribution and security issues. Across the globe, special agencies concentrate their efforts on this aspect of humanitarian aid, coupled with whatever security the affected country or helping countries can provide. After the immediate need for food, these agencies also address sustainable solutions to a food crisis, giving the populace ways to provide for themselves as they go forward from the disaster.

Health Services

The health needs of victims of a natural disaster cover several aspects. Medical aid is of immediate importance to an affected population, in terms of injuries and disease prevention. But other services become equally important to keeping the victims healthy, such as provision of safe water, proper hygiene and sanitation, disposal of waste, and removal of the dead. Swift and effective provision of such aid requires seamless cooperation between many agencies and resources that address these different, yet overlapping health issues.

Security and Shelter

Along with the immediate concerns of food, water, and medical assistance, natural disaster victims may also face a lack of shelter and the potential for danger from fellow victims. Both of these can be horribly life-threatening—without proper shelter, people may sicken or suffer from exposure. A populace in crisis can also induce panic and/or increase violence, as some individuals take advantage of the disaster. Humanitarian agencies therefore have always worked closely with security agencies in providing a safe, sheltered environment for natural disaster victims.

Anyone Can Help

When natural disasters happen, the outpouring of sympathy and assistance worldwide is incredible and uplifting. Humans have a frightening capacity for destruction, but we also have an amazing ability to help our fellow man and provide succour to those in need. Agencies involved in humanitarian aid aren’t the only ones who can provide assistance—anyone can help, either with donations to agencies of cash or goods, or much needed services such as medical or sanitation. When a natural disaster happens, even if it’s on the other side of the globe, we step forward with a helping hand, because that could have been us, and the next disaster just might be in our back yard.

Image caption: Women collect rations at a food distribution in Gonaives Haiti following Hurricane Ike September 27 2008. Source: Bigstockphoto.com

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EthicalLiving.com.au