Day 4 - 243 -- Helping?

The news today brought stories of distress in many areas of the world. People have been evacuated or lost their homes in a major storm in Houston and other parts of Texas and Louisiana. As the water has begun to recede, crews have begun door to door search and rescue -- which has led to the beginning of the recovery operations, too. In south Asia, many people have experienced major flooding in India, Nepal and Bangladesh -- with many lives lost and millions displaced. A flash flood filled basements in Windsor, ON after heavy rains. Fires in western Canada still have people displaced in BC and many people are being air-lifted from northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan due to fires and smoke threatening the communities. Reporters try to show what it must be like to be removed from your home quickly, but most don't seem able to portray the enormity of emotion that comes along with such emergencies -- fear, guilt, anger, sadness, anxiety, panic -- it all shows up. Not knowing what will remain when or if they are allowed to return brings a flood of many emotions all at once. Sorting through it requires some assistance. In some relief centres, counselors often volunteer to help people through the pain.

I've never been evacuated. I have a go bag that is prepared for such occasions -- generally major storms. I also have a routinized check list of tasks to complete when we know something wicked is coming this way. That doesn't mean that I get everything done and checked before a storm, though. If I didn't have time to pack before leaving, many necessary things would be left behind. Medications, cash, important documents, clean clothes, underwear, food, and so much more. Across the globe tonight many people will be without adequate sanitation, food or sleeping quarters. Many aid agencies try to get to the hardest hit areas as soon as possible. Red Cross/Red Crescent is a global organization that delivers assistance -- not only water safety and first aid training -- along with many local and national governments and organizations. While we all may not be trained as emergency volunteers, we can assist by donating to registered charities. Sending truck loads of material goods isn't always the best way to deal -- it may feel like we are 'doing something' but a $10 donation allows agencies on the ground to do what is needed in the area. For example, blankets may not be needed if there is a decent supply warehoused in the affected area. Often after disasters -- earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes -- warehouses filled with material goods remain unused since they weren't what was needed at the time. Donating funds does work well. It also can keep local economies functioning by purchasing from vendors in the area -- all without adding to the shipping costs, time, financial needs and environmental challenges.

Locally, we can volunteer to assist with our expertise skill sets. If this isn't possible, we can donate funds or the specific items that a major charity requests. In person or on social media, we can listen and try to understand without using trite platitudes in response -- a judgement free approach, if you will. Keeping such disasters in our view, even when the media moves on, can ensure that long term rebuilding occurs. The song for today seemed to fit the idea of helping others in whatever way needed. The video shared is lyrics only since the photo ones just didn't fit the theme today. Enjoy!

I'll be There -- Josh Turner