Attention
Today, I would like to talk to you about natural disasters and how to minimize their impacts by contributing to charity funds, and how your contribution can make a difference. We have come a long way as the human race. We have been able to harness the power of nature in many different ways. We have learned to generate electricity from water, the wind, the sun, and even ancient living things to power our homes.
Despite these abilities, we have never been truly able to tackle any natural disasters. We have mastered the ability to predict when a hurricane or a tornado will pass, and to some extent, learned how to predict a volcano eruption. However, we are still caught by surprise by forest fires, landslides, tsunamis, or earthquakes. Those by natural disaster need a shoulder to lean on, and people are strong enough to provide support for their sake. That is what humanity is all about. However, when natural disaster management is not correctly handled, the impacts can affect people’s lives for years to come.
Establish Need
Natural disasters result in a lot of damage, leaving people displaced and homeless. For example, the 2019/2020 Australian wildfires left more than 90,000 people displaced, with no food, water, or shelter (Ward et al. 15). According to the report by UNEP, more than 2,800 homes were destroyed during the fires. In another occurrence in August 2020, Hurricane Laura struck Louisiana (Gibbens par 3). This was a category four storm that left 220,000 residents without access to drinking water (The State Times par 4).
Soon after, evacuation orders were issued out to nearly half a million people in Texas and Louisiana. Many were left homeless due to evacuation, or the hurricane destroyed their houses. So far, we have witnessed 16 natural disasters across the world in 2020, ranging from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts.
Satisfy the Need
The America Red Cross Organization provides local community response during emergencies such as storms and wildfires. Unlike other non-governmental organizations and government bodies, the American Red Cross is known for responding to emergencies ranging from small fires to natural disasters every eight minutes.
Home fires make up the majority of disasters combated by the American Red Cross. During natural calamities and fires, The American Red Cross avails itself wherever needed to ensure that people have safe shelter, clean water, and hot meals when they need them the most. Every year the American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters. The American Red Cross receives support from a network of volunteers from across the nation who make up 95% of the relief workers.
Red Cross continues to provide support even after the emergency response phase has been completed. Volunteers from the organization continue to help people recover through the trauma while addressing prevalent needs in the community. Red Cross partners with local relief agencies, local leaders, and governments to organize other relief strategies such as disbursement of financial aid to affected families and grants to aid in community-based recovery.
Visualize the Future
The year 2020 has been an uneventful one and has stood out for all the wrong reasons. We have witnessed wildfires, storms, cyclones, hurricanes, flooding, and rains (Thompson par 7). With the rise of natural disasters leading to resources, NGOs such as the American Red Cross face difficulties providing adequate support to victims of natural calamities (Batti, 2). This would also mean that the NGO would be unable to offer financial assistance to affected families and communities whenever needed. Additionally, a lack of donations to the organization’s blood bank would lose many lives during natural disasters.
Being part of the America Red Cross foundation provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Moreover, the act of kindness through charity will give you a sense of satisfaction that will heighten your happiness level and improve your emotional well-being. Another fundamental benefit of giving to a charity such as the American Red Cross is that this act goes a long way to promote the spirit of brotherhood, love, and humanity across the nation.
Every day thousands of people like you offer compassionate care to people in need. Our donors roll up their sleeves and donate in time, money, and blood. Joining the American Red Cross would also provide you with the opportunity to learn life skills that will ensure you and your loved ones are safe and better prepared when the need arises.
Call to action
I am here today to ask for your support to provide food, shelter, blood, and water to survivors of natural calamities by donating to The American Red Cross. There are various ways that you can donate through their website. You can also donate through a stock transfer. Third, you could make monthly donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, or significant gifts.
Works Cited
Batti, Rehema C. “Challenges facing local NGOs in resource mobilization.” Humanities and Social Sciences, vol 2, no. 3, 2014, pp.57-64.
Gibbens, Sarah. How powerful hurricanes hasten the disappearance of Louisiana’s wetlands.2020. Web.
Ward, Michelle. “Impact of 2019–2020 mega-fires on Australian fauna habitat.” Nature Ecology & Evolution, vol 4, no.10, 2020, pp. 1321-1326.
The State Times. “The Effects of Hurricane Laura.”The State Time. Web.
Thompson, Andrea. “A Running List of Record-Breaking Natural Disasters in 2020.” Atlantic International University. 2020. Web.