Myths and Realities of Natural Disaster

There are also some myths related to natural disasters that have existed for years!! While you read these myths you will probably believe they are not true, because they are set in your mind and in the entire society.

1. Any kind of International assistance is needed and it is needed now!

The one thing I always think when I hear about a natural disaster and when I see the first images is, Help… these people need help! The reality of this myth is that When the natural disaster first happens it is better to wait and see the needs that have been assessed and that are truly needed. Otherwise, decisions based on  first reactions can only cause more chaos to the country affected.

2. Foreign medical volunteers with any kind of medical background are needed.

The first ones to react and help the country are the people who are in that country. The local population almost always covers the first needs. Another problem that this may cause is that foreign doctors that arrive might not know the language, the culture and can become a problem. Foreign medical personnel will be needed when specific skills are required.

3. Disasters are randome killers

Disasters affect and strike harde to vulnerable groups like women, children, the elderly and the poor.

4. Epidemics and plagues are inevitable after every disaster

When a natural disaster occurs, after the first day, the population gets afraid of the dead bodies. Rumors of epidemics and infections caused by the dead bodies begin wondering around. People want to get rid of the bodies and the population starts getting vaccines for infections and viruses. Epidemics do not occur esporadically after a disaster and dead blodies will not cause exotic diseases. It is more important to provide sanitary conditions and educate the people.

5. The affected population is too shocked and helpless to take responsibility for its own survival.

People thing that after the disaster has strike, the affected people become vulnerable, however the truth is they gain more strength and volunteer to help out. A solidarity airs spreads and people will volunteer no matter how and where. The population unites immediately and they will keep helping days later.

6. Things are back to normal within a few weeks

This normally happens. After the media has covered the disaster and something else is on the headlines, people believe that the recovery of the country will take a matter of months or weeks. However this is the time where they need more donations, more financial support and more help. The effects of a disaster lasts for a long time and it might take years for the place to go back to normal. The populations has to go through a psychological recovery and it takes time to reconstruct the entire city.

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People have always helped others by donating. Normally you donate clothes, shoes, food or anything that you think will help. However have you ever stopped and think if it actually helps them. Nobody has educated us on how to donate. The truth is there are several kinds of ways to donate depending on the circumstances. One of these special circumstances is donating to natural disasters.

When a natural disasters hits a place everybody immediately wants to donate. The media expands the word on organizations that are willing to accept donations. People start sending clothes, shoes, food, medicine, etc. However have you paused for a moment and think about the weather, the geography of the place. You don’t want to send high heels when it’s a place with mountains or send winter clothes when the weather is 80 degrees all year around. These kinds of things people don’t take in consideration when donating. We just donate, to help, but we must educate the people on EFFECTIVE DONATIONS.

According to natural disaster relief specialists, donations given by the people is not effective for them. The best effective donation for natural disaster is money. The reason for this is because they buy what the people really need, don’t waist time organizing all the donations being sent, and also it helps to activate the economy in the country where the natural disaster has taken place. Big organizations and natural disaster specialists buy the food, tents, house, clothes, medications in the country where the disaster has taken place. That way they help the economy of the country and they also get exactly what the people need. It is very important to find the correct guidance for you to make the correct donation and we hope this page helps.

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