September: Natural Disasters - How can we help?

[Nebka Galyn]

With so many natural disasters plaguing our world, now is a good time to bring further awareness of how we can help as a community.

Our September Focus will be on how to help in the case of natural disasters.

For now we are providing you with some links so you can explore some of the options available to you when we are facing these times of great need among our neighbors and our own local communities. In the coming weeks we will be sharing information about some of our worlds most recent disasters and where/how you can turn to offer your assistance.

First and foremost here is a link to our list of local agencies. To help those in need in your local communities.
Master List of Charitable Organizations

Maui Wildfires​

The following link is a great source of information for where/how to donate.
8 Charities for Wildfire Relief

Support 2023 Canadian Wildfire Relief Efforts​

Canada Helps - link to a source with many different ways to donate.

Hurricane Hilary​

Visit RedCross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make a donation.

 

[Nadezhda al'Lanahrin]

Thanks for this important information!!

 

[Alexr al'Petros]

This is really great and timely info. Thank you for getting it out!!

 

[Ranyor Saana]

Thank you for the information and the master lists of organizations!

 

[Nebka Galyn]

Maui Wildfires​

Devastating wildfires, spurred by dry conditions and strong winds in the aftermath of Hurricane Dora, have swept through the Hawaiian Islands, killing at least 115 people, causing major destruction and displacing thousands across Maui, the Big Island, and Lahaina. The Maui wildfires that consumed the community of Lahaina are the deadliest in the U.S in more than 100 years according to the National Fire Protection Association,

Much of historic downtown Lahaina has been reduced to ash. Search and recovery efforts have been completed and the next phase of recovery is underway. Hundreds of people are still listed as missing. Approximately 2,200 structures have been destroyed or damaged in Maui, most of them residential. President Joe Biden approved an emergency disaster declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support and federal funding for the recovery.

“A lot of the survivors had to leave their homes very quickly and did not have an opportunity to get anything or take anything with them and many have lost everything,” said Mariel Fonteyn, AmeriCares director of U.S. emergency response.

Thousands of people on Maui have lived with incredible trauma and devastation for weeks since the tragic wildfires that changed their lives forever. Hundreds of American Red Cross disaster workers are there, working tirelessly to deliver compassionate and equitable care to the many who are picking up the pieces.

The Red Cross is committed to supporting the community through this difficult period, ensuring residents who cannot return home have a safe place to stay, food to eat and emotional support.

Together, the Red Cross and the county government have provided more than 79,900 overnight emergency shelter and hotel stays on Maui and Oahu. We are coordinating with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and FEMA to care for displaced residents in hotels. This temporary solution will give families and individuals a comfortable and safe place to stay near their community while longer-term plans are developed.

The Red Cross is supporting these families and individuals throughout their hotel stays with meals, casework and emotional support.

Americares has approved grants to partners including West Hawaii Community Health Center, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, and the Community Clinic of Maui dba Malama Ke Ola Health Center.

• The grant to West Hawaii Community Health Center will be used to provide urgent medical services to individuals affected by the wildfires in Lahaina, Kihei, and Kula. West Hawaii Community Health Center has partnered with the State Department of Health, Waianae Coast Comprehensive, and Malama Ke Ola to provide care every day since the fires began. These health centers have been deploying a team of 5 personnel consisting of a behavioral health specialist, licensed doctor, RN, medical assistant, community health worker, and patient navigator to provide wound care, respiratory assessments, and referrals for patients.
• The second grant will be used by the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) to procure hand-held radios that will be distributed amongst clinics, community response teams, and outreach teams.
• Another grant for Malama Ke Ola will be used to purchase resources for a mobile medical unit that will operate in Lahaina.
• In addition, support has been provided for Hospice Maui, Maui AIDs Foundation, and Project Vision.

At the same time, Americares has provided shipments of hygiene items and other medical supplies to Project Vision and West Hawaii Community Health Center. The team has also identified several areas for potential MHPSS support which will be followed up in the coming weeks

Financial Assistance for the Hawaii Wildfires​

In the aftermath of the recent wildfires, the American Red Cross has worked closely with partners to provide emergency shelter, food, water, relief supplies, emotional support and health services to people in need. Thanks to their generous donors, the Red Cross is now starting to get financial assistance into the hands of residents who have severely impacted or destroyed homes.
This financial assistance will allow people to make their own decisions and prioritize what their family needs most to start recovering. Funds can help families replace clothes or food, offset transportation costs, replace spiritual or religious items, and support other immediate needs such as verified, disaster-caused health and mental health needs. Spending these funds locally will also support local communities as they begin recovering.


The following link is a great source of information for where/how to donate.
8 Charities for Wildfire Relief

DONATION OF ITEMS
First priority is to provide shelter and support to those affected — and financial donations are the quickest and best way to help those who need it most. The Red Cross will not accept donations of clothing or household items, as these types of donations divert resources away from our mission — whereas financial donations can be used right away to directly help those affected. Those interested in donating or in need of supplies should visit www.mauinuistrong.info


This list of support efforts and ways to donate to give aid to these families is in no way all encompassing. Please, feel free to add any information you may come across!

 

[Nebka Galyn]

Support 2023 Canadian Wildfire Relief Efforts ​

Canada is seeing its worst wildfire season on record this year, and fires are expected to continue burning through September. Nearly all provinces and territories have been impacted by poor air quality, forced home evacuations, and loss of wildlife due to forest fires. Firefighters are working around the clock putting their lives at risk in heavy smoke and dangerous environments to mitigate the devastation of the fires and protect communities.

Canadian charities responding to wildfires across the country urgently need your help. Your donations will help them provide much-needed emergency services, fire-fighting equipment, food and shelter.

Canada Helps - link to a source with many different ways to donate.

Canada is at national preparedness level 5, indicating full commitment of national resources is ongoing, demand for resources is extreme, and international resources are being mobilized. British Columbia is at Preparedness Level 4, Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, and Alberta are at Preparedness Level 3, all other agencies are at Preparedness Level 1 or 2.

The number of fires is well above average for this time of year, and well above the average for area burned for this time of year. The ten-year average of cumulative area burned is 2,657,965 hectares for this day. There was 121 net new fire starts, with 87 of those attributed to lightning reported over the last week.

OTTAWA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Warm, dry conditions in Canada could ignite new wildfires in September and it is possible that some of the blazes could remain active through the winter season, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said on Thursday.

Canada is enduring its worst wildfire season on record, with over 166,000 square kilometers (64,000 miles), or an area equivalent to four Switzerlands, of land already burnt. As of Thursday, more than 1,000 fires were active across the country, including some 650 deemed out of control.

Wildfire Donation-Matching Initiatives​

Nova Scotia​

The Government of Canada and the Government of Nova Scotia will each match donations to the Canadian Red Cross Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada Fires Appeal. This means that $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires in Nova Scotia.
Those wishing to make a financial donation via the Red Cross website for the Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada Fires Appeal or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

Northwest Territories​

The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories will each match donations to the United Way of the Northwest Territories, to support disaster relief and recovery efforts in affected communities. This means that $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires.

Those wishing to make a financial donation via the United Way Northwest Territories website
Donate here: 2023 NWT Emergency Response Fund.

Again, I must add that this list is in no way comprehensive. Please, if you have more information or more ways for us to aid those in need feel free to comment and share your knowledge. Working together we can make a difference!!

 

[Boreas Silverfir]

Has anyone heard about resources to support the earthquake recovery in Morocco?

 

[Nebka Galyn]

Has anyone heard about resources to support the earthquake recovery in Morocco?

EARTHQUAKE IN MOROCCO​

The search for survivors continues in Morocco after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake — the biggest quake to hit the area in more than a century. Families in several cities in Morocco rushed out of their homes and into the streets after a powerful earthquake struck at 11:11 p.m. on Sept. 8, 2023. A 4.9 magnitude aftershock followed 19 minutes later; several more have been reported.
Buildings collapsed, leaving more than 2,100 people dead and thousands injured, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF's emergency partner, reported as the urgent search for survivors continues.

The United Nations stands ready to assist the Government of Morocco

More than 380,000 people live within 30 miles of the epicenter. Rescuers are struggling to reach remote mountainous villages over roads blocked by debris.

António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, issued a statement saying the United Nations is ready to assist the Government of Morocco in its efforts to aid the impacted population.

The United Nations is in constant communication with the authorities to support assessment and response to the situation. Consultations are ongoing in order to further identify areas where the UN and its partners can provide support in the coming hours and days.

Whenever and wherever emergencies strike, UNICEF puts children first. Your donation helps UNICEF stay at the ready to provide emergency support for children and their families. Please donate today.

Government authorities are leading response efforts, national rescue and response mechanism has been activated, and civil protection units have been deployed to increase stocks in blood banks and ensure the supply of vital resources including water, food, tents and blankets to affected areas. Moroccan Red Crescent (MRCS) teams continue to respond on the ground providing first aid, psychosocial support and helping transport the injured to hospitals.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has instructed his government to expeditiously continue field relief efforts and provide care to the victims of the earthquake. He has also mobilized Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity to support citizens in affected areas.

The United Nations continues close communication with the authorities to offer its support in the assessment, coordination, and response to the situation.

DONATE TO THE GLOBAL EMERGENCY FUND​

Donate below to the UN’s Emergency Fund and your money will fund life-saving aid in crises around the world.
UN Crisis Relief

This is what I came up with on a brief search. As always extra info and donation opportunities are always welcome.

 

[Alyria Ess]

A little late here, but I was somewhat directly affected by the fires in Nova Scotia (as in the burn perimeter came within a km of my house.) Gratefully and somewhat miraculously, my family suffered little damage and we all kept our homes. I ended up with a gross fridge from power loss and I lost all my cultivated roses, but otherwise I was safe.

I am posting to share that it is VITAL to follow local burn guidelines. The fire near me was started by a recreational fire during a dry and hot season, and then two sister fires were started on either side intentionally (both "firestarters" have been charged.)

Not to sound like Smokey the Bear, but carelessness with open fire is reckless and extraordinarily dangerous. Certainly, such fires can happen from lightning strikes and high heat, but there is no reason for such devastation to be human made.

(Sidenote - even though Hurricane Lee made landfall as a Cat 1, the province as a whole fared okay!)

 

[Nebka Galyn]

I am posting to share that it is VITAL to follow local burn guidelines.

Thanks for your insight! Glad that you fared okay in the recent disasters. I agree with the importance of following the local burn guidelines!

Stay safe!!

 

[Polegnyn Nemeara]

+1, Alyria, and glad all is well!

(Sidenote - even though Hurricane Lee made landfall as a Cat 1, the province as a whole fared okay!)

Was the hurricane any help in putting out the fires? Probably one of those "too much of good thing..." situations but hopefully the all the rain helped in some way.