How to Help Following a Natural Disaster

When a large, natural disaster occurs, images often hit social media even before danger has fully cleared. And, of course, the national media sources flood viewers with continuous studio and on-site reporting, drone footage, and interviews all trying to put into context the extent of the destruction.

For many people, the natural response to witnessing human tragedy is, “I want to help!” Sadly, some who want to help make decisions, often at great personal sacrifice, that not only don’t help, but are rejected or end up adding to the problem.

So, how should people respond following a disaster?

“The first thing anyone should do when disaster strikes is pray for the survivors and the first responders,” says Ethan Forhetz, national spokesperson for Convoy of Hope. “Then, in our case, we would like prayer for the teams going in.”

The next vital component to any disaster response, that some seem to discount as it seems to be “less” of a personal effort to help people, is donations.

“We can stretch a dollar further than you can — five times as much,” Forhetz explains. “For example, a $50 dollar donation becomes $250 worth of supply through our great corporate partners and our transportation opportunities . . . and we can put that donation to work immediately.”

Some may not have the resources to donate funds, but Forhetz says that Convoy of Hope and other charity organizations appreciate social media shares to help get the word out about the work they are accomplishing.

“All it takes is a few clicks,” he says. “And although you might not be able to financially assist, perhaps one of your friends, who may not have even heard of Convoy of Hope or whatever compassion organizations you believe in, will learn about us, and see the work we’re doing, and perhaps have the means to help us get aid to victims of disasters.”

Forhetz, however, warns against just showing up to help where disaster has struck. He urges people to first make contact with reputable charity/compassion organizations that use volunteers for disaster response. In this way, he explains, the right people with the right skills get to the right places at the right time.

“Most individuals don’t realize that most compassion organizations are fully self-contained and the teams coming in to help them need to be as well,” Forhetz notes. “That means you supply your own food, water, sleeping arrangements, sanitation, equipment, and electricity — keeping in mind that there may not be gas available in some locations . . . and that’s why for those wanting to be on-site volunteers, linking up with an experienced disaster relief program that uses volunteers should really be their first step.”

For those wanting to do something other than donate funds or volunteer in person, but perhaps provide for a need, Forhetz offers the following advice:

“I suggest contacting the charity you’re thinking of helping in that need,” he says. “Learn what it is that they need, how they need it (on a pallet, boxed, wrapped, dated, shipped, etc.), where they need it, and when they need it.”

In addition, Forhetz advises that unless it’s to bolster local charities outside of a disaster area, do not conduct an unsolicited clothing drive/send clothing into a disaster area. As in addition to cleanliness and condition standards, the complexity involved in distribution requires an unmanageable time and space investment when more pressing needs exists — such as food, water, and shelter.

“Also consider the timing of making a donation of supplies,” Forhetz says. “For example, donating a truckload of water a month after the disaster — probably not needed at that time. However, maybe drywall is. Needs change during any disaster, and change happens sometimes very quickly. So, again, contact the non-profit you are wanting to help and ask what they need or what you can do to help, because donating something that is no longer needed or just at the wrong time means the charity has to either store it or, in some cases, dispose of it.”

Forhetz also encourages AG churches that want to send teams to assist in recovery to connect with district/network offices to learn of disaster-area churches receiving teams or if the district has a disaster relief coordinator to contact. In these cases, sometimes housing, food, water, and other benefits are available, but may be limited.

“We do use disaster volunteers at Convoy, but volunteers have to be trained and go through a screening process — being available to assist when disasters take place,” Forhetz says. “But our big focus at Convoy is partnering with churches in or near the disaster zone. We want to empower the church and allow the church to be the church to its community, a beacon of light with neighbor helping neighbor as, eventually, Convoy trucks will pull out, but the church will still be there serving their community.”

Editor’s note: Convoy of Hope offers a “Build-a-Kit” program for churches and other groups to participate in remotely. These kits are for specific needs and individuals, such as hygiene, baby care, cleanup, family hygiene, and feminine hygiene.