Natural Disasters: How to Help

It's upsetting to see the aftermath of a natural disaster. All too often, we see news about tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and other forces of nature killing people, destroying homes, and devastating entire towns.

If you want to help, here are several ways to do so:

• Donate money. If you're able to donate money, these organizations can help people affected by natural disasters:
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  • American Red Cross, or (800) HELP-NOW
  • Save the Children, or 1-800-728-3843
  • UNICEF, or (800) 4UNICEF

But what if you can't afford to make a donation? Helping doesn't have to mean spending money. Here are some other things you can do:

• Organize a school fundraiser. Talk with your teacher or school administrators about starting school-based activities to raise money or supplies. If you're organizing a donation drive, check with the groups first to be sure they need the items you plan to send. Sometimes they get too many donations and have to spend money storing or handling the excess items.
• Organize a community event. Talk to your place of worship or a local community center (like the YMCA) about organizing a walk, run, bake sale, or other activity to raise money.
• Donate clothes, food, or other items. Check with your local community center or place of worship to find out whether you can drop off donations or if there's another way you can contribute. (Again, it's a good idea to check with the organizations to be sure they need the things you plan to send.)
• Start small. You don't need a big group of people to make a difference. Every donation, regardless of size, helps to rebuild communities that are hit by natural disasters. If you want to donate money but can't afford to, let your family or neighbors know you are available to help out with small jobs to earn money for disaster relief. Every little bit helps! You could also think about donating later when you've had the chance to earn some money or collect necessary items. In places where there has been a lot of damage, the need for funds will be ongoing. Your contribution will be appreciated just as much later on.

It's also important to deal with your own feelings when you see people hurt by tragedy. Talking to parents, teachers, and friends about what you see and how you feel can help you deal with the aftermath of disasters like storms and earthquakes.

If you go to school with kids that have been affected by disasters, reach out to them and offer support. If you live in or near a community that has been affected by a disaster, look for opportunities to volunteer with clean up and help families recover.