Earthquakes, like other all-natural disasters, can arrive without warning and strip tens of thousands of people of basic necessities. The destruction can happen within a matter of minutes, but the financial hardship may last for weeks or even years.
Luckily, there are an infinite number of ways you can lend a hand and assist earthquake victims locally or overseas. Between volunteer work, fundraising drives, or simply helping a burglar, this crisis relief manual offers numerous ideas about ways to help accelerate recovery and rebuilding efforts.
- Startling earthquake statistics
Earthquakes happen to be responsible for more than 800,000 deaths and have left over 17 million people displaced since 1990, according to the OECD.
The deadliest earthquake of the 21st century was a 7.0-magnitude earthquake at Haiti in 2010 that killed an estimated 316,000 people and brought $13.2 billion in damage, according to The Wall Street Journal.
About half of all Americans are at risk for damage in the earthquake, according to the USGS.
Organizations that Assist Earthquake Victims
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When homes, businesses, and whole communities have been damaged in a matter of minutes by earthquakes, you will find nonprofits and government relief workers that jump into action to aid with recovery efforts. We record reliable public and private choices for people in need.
- Earthquake relief from charities
Below are a couple of charities that often step in to assist when following an earthquake, or work to get communities ready for a possible earthquake.
How to Help Earthquake Victims Rebuild
- TEAM RUBICON
This nonprofit’s emergency response teams are partly composed of military specialists who wish to keep on making a difference. The military veterans work with caregivers and first responders to help communities after devastating disasters.
- CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL MITIGATION PROGRAM
This nonprofit offers an Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) program which assists California citizens prepare their homes for potential earthquakes at a discounted rate. Older homes are awarded a”residential seismic retrofit” which includes adding magnets and bracing around the property’s perimeter and foundation.
- AMERICARES
Since 1979, Americares has been supplying aid to people affected by poverty or disaster. The company responds to about 30 emergencies every year, while it’s hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or even health crises.
- Government assistance following an earthquake
In the wake of an earthquake, these government programs help people and businesses remain safe and reconstruct.
- EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND SAFETY INFORMATION
Following a natural disaster, you can use the FEMA app to find emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers. The program also sends real-time updates in the National Weather Service and offers emergency security tips. To download the app, see FEMA’s web site.
- DISASTER RELIEF LOANS
Victims of natural disasters like earthquakes can get financial aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) when they are homeowners or tenants located in a declared disaster area. The SBA provides low-interest, long-term loans around $200,000 to assist families and individuals with costs not covered by insurance.
Organizations that assist earthquake victims
- DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)
If an earthquake or other natural disaster stops you from going to work, the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program can help. The program offers up to 26 weeks of benefits for individuals who no longer have a job or set to work because of the disaster, can’t reach their place of employment, or can’t operate due to an injury caused by the disaster. To find more details and apply, visit the United States Department of Labor site.
Donations for earthquake victims: The best way to help
When earthquakes displace thousands and cause destruction on a large scale, it can be tough to understand how to help. We’ve rounded up the most effective strategies to focus your efforts and provide earthquake relief.
- Give blood
Donating your bloodstream only takes approximately 45 minutes, but this small time commitment can save someone’s life. To discover more about how to schedule an appointment to give blood, see the American Red Cross online.
- Donate your time
If you are close to the disaster area, you can reach out to relief organizations and find out if they need help with their disaster recovery program. Animals also need our aid after natural disasters, another volunteer idea is to get in touch with your regional animal shelters to discover ways to help. The Humane Society is just one organization with a dedicated animal rescue group that trains volunteers and assists displaced animals become fostered and adopted.
If you want to help from afar, reach out to the local food bank and ask if they plan on accepting donations for victims.
- Send money
It may seem like donating used clothing and household supplies after a natural disaster is a fantastic way to help. However, the truth is that physical donations for earthquake victims aren’t needed and can impair distribution centers, creating more work for aid groups. According to a recent article by The Guardian, relief organizations state that donating cold hard cash first is actually the perfect way to help after a natural disaster.
