How to Help People Who Have Been Hurt in an Earthquake

Earthquakes are among the deadliest natural disasters on the planet. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 39 different states are vulnerable to earthquakes. These feats of nature have uprooted trees, triggered avalanches and tsunamis and devastated thousands of families around the world. People caught in an earthquake are highly susceptible to fatal injuries. There are a few ways to help those who are hurt in an earthquake, including donating to charity, sending goods and working with your church.

Things You'll Need

• To help people hurt in an earthquake, you will need the following:
• Charities
• Money
• Goods

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Instructions

• 1

  Donate money to a reputable charity, such as the Red Cross or Global Giving. AmeriCares allows those who live within the United States to donate to humanitarian efforts worldwide. Make sure the charity you are donating to is legitimate. Run a charity through the Better Business Bureau if you suspect it has questionable business practices. Also, make sure the charity has a street address and phone number before handing over your donation.

• 2

  Donate clothing, furniture or household items to the Salvation Army. Call 1-800-728-7825 to organize an item pick-up or locate the closest drop-off location. The Salvation Army is designed to meet human needs worldwide in the name of Jesus Christ without any discrimination. Often, the first on the scene after disaster strikes, the Army has helped aid tragedies, such as the 1990 Galveston Hurricane and the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake. Visit salvationarmyusa.org for more details.

• 3

  Involve your church in the relief effort. Organize a fundraiser to generate money for the victims. Travel with a team of volunteers to the damaged areas if your church has the financial resources to organize such an endeavor. Here, you can interact with the victims, hand-delivering resources, helping in the clean-up effort and providing hope in the face of adversity.