Natural disasters are one of the most terrible occurrences on Earth you have ever experienced in your entire life. Your surroundings will be defected and it will not be the same anymore. These catastrophes can have serious consequences for the environment, property, animals, and human health. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, landslides, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and severe temperatures are examples of such phenomena. This extreme occurrence does not come in seasons, but randomly. Therefore, it can happen even in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, where we have to abide by the social distancing laws. Of course, it may be impossible for some as everyone would be in panic mode when nature goes against them. It is inevitable to say the least.
The sight of natural disasters can cause trauma regardless of age – be it children, adults or even senior citizens. It is horrifying to watch everything unfold from behind the scene where the news would often update the situation. It is unimaginable what the real people who witnessed the disaster face to face would feel and how they can even survive that (and not everyone came out alive or in a perfect shape). Also, rebuilding and recovery require a long time and a lot of effort, and resources are often scarce that even flat roofing can barely do anything to get everything attached in a short amount of time, adding to the difficulties for evacuees and those who have been affected.
California is no stranger to these kinds of disasters – floods, fire, illness, and other natural disasters have altered and reshaped the western state’s natural terrain, as well as the new towns and cities popping up across the state, from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries. Back in the 1800s, visitors to then-California understood little to nothing about the landscape’s history, thus the towns were unaware of the hazards of flood plains and unsuspected earthquake faults. The most recent one happened at Westmorland, with a magnitude of 4.9, however it was mild. Even the tiniest tremor in the ground can create terror among Californians.
Here is why natural disasters are the worst enemy of humanity and what Californian Volunteers can do to help those who are affected by it:
Destruction Of Property
A flood is bad enough to gobble up anything that is in its way, but imagine an entire tsunami engulfing the entire city? If that did not scare you enough, try to imagine being in the victims’ shoes. The house you have grown up with has been destroyed right in front of your eyes and you have no other choice but to leave everything behind and run away from your home for dear life. All of your childhood memories may no longer exist physically, but you can keep it mentally. Not only do the victims lose their shelters permanently, but they also have nowhere to go.
The aftermath is not favorable for them too as they lack food, shelter as well as any basic needs. As a Californian volunteer, we are responsible to distribute food, water, clothes and many more items they need to survive while getting everything in their surroundings to be fixed. It can be from anywhere, especially donations from both local or international causes.
Rising Cases Of Homelessness
This is self-explanatory. The entire ordeal of the natural disasters destroying anything and everything that crosses its path brought upon the losing of homes and shelters. Therefore, many victims are left with homelessness and the struggles to find a place to stay. With their houses demolished by the terrifying waters of the flood, the damaging torrent of the tsunami, or the violent wind of hurricanes or tornadoes, they have nothing left and nowhere to go to.
Californian volunteers can lend a hand to provide them a safe place to stay for the time being. It can be the football court at school, or a multi-purpose hall, or even prepare a temporary home for them to sustain themselves there in the meantime. As long as they are safe and sound with a roof above their head, they should be fine with what they have momentarily before returning to their previous easier life. It takes a test of patience for them to endure these disasters, as well as compassion for volunteers to serve what they can to help people.
Lost Of Loved Ones
Not everyone faces it, but it was never zero. There are people who actually lost their family members, friends and neighbours in the midst of the disaster. Grief is a natural response, therefore volunteers also need to lend emotional support by comforting these affected victims to heal their pain of their lost loved one. It is the least we can do to make them accept the passing.