Over the last few years communities across the developing world have struggled through the aftermath of both natural and manmade catastrophes. Geo-political unrest has torn through both the European continent and across Asia and Africa. Wildfires, earthquakes, and flooding have displaced tens of millions of families, forcing them to lose their homes, their businesses, and much-loved family members.
The lack of basic needs such as food and clean water are the most devastating consequences of such disasters. Those who survived the initial disaster are dying from the inability to access their most basic requirements. Whether by loss of crops, supply chains that have been demolished, or broken infrastructure, hunger has a devastating impact both physically and emotionally on those who are already reeling from the impact of events outside of their control.
This is a time for those more fortunate to understand the different ways that are available to help those who are less fortunate. The scale of these disasters can sometimes seem unscalable. However, the weight of collective support can compound into becoming a tangible force for good that can change lives.
Donate to certified charities and aid organisations
Organisations like the World Food Programme, the Red Cross, UNICEF, Oxfam, and Saving the Children are all internationally recognized names that are well primed to be on the front line in the case of emergencies. They have established chains of supply and communication to make sure that in the event of any disaster, they are able to get there fast and establish urgent supplies of food, water, and medicines to assist the relief effort.
Orphan Sponsorship
One of the most heartbreaking consequences of such catastrophic events is the loss of life, often leaving tens of thousands of children without a mother or father to take care of them. Orphan sponsorship concentrates on making sure those orphans are given the support network they need to overcome the tragedy. They are given accommodation, food education, and the opportunity to come through such tragedy.
Volunteering
Volunteering can take on many different forms. From working in a local charity shop on a Saturday morning, to sorting through donations in a cold warehouse, to travelling out to the front line to work directly with those affected.
For many people taking a sabbatical to volunteer overseas is the realization of many different dreams. While altruism will always play a part in an individual’s drive to help those less fortunate, it is often an opportunity to take stock on the trajectory of their own life, stepping away from the treadmill and reconnecting with what is truly important in the world.
Advocate for policy change
We all know the old adage of feeding a community, and giving a community the means to feed itself. While hunger can be brought on by various disasters, it is further exacerbated by mismanaged policies, governmental corruption, and fundamental flaws in the overall global food chain.
There is still much that can be done to reverse the damage that these flaws can do to these individual communities. While providing food on the front line is an essential need to help those suffering stay alive, pushing for policy change in the very institutions that exist to help these communities, and seek a more permanent solution that will alleviate the continual suffering is crucial.
There is still much disparity and inequality, and the balance of power is still tipped in favour of the ruling elites, rather than those in need. Hunger may come about as the immediate consequence of a natural disaster – it is the reaction to that disaster that counts, and the speed at which rebuilding can take place.
Also Read:Â Hunger on the rise worldwide as 821 million affected – UN
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