We Can Improve Our Response to Disasters

How many disasters do we have around the world for 2020?

The year 2020 started out with the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Global warming also caused more disasters, we have experienced severe weather, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, avalanches, severe storms and typhoons, locust swarm, and floods and mudslides around the world. We had bushfires in Australia, which happen commonly in the bushfire season, but the difference is that the bushfires this year were super deadly and extremely terrible. Then, we have brown glaciers in New Zealand. It's so crazy! Earth is crying out loud to all of us, we need to help the Earth heal and take good care of our lovely Earth.

Disasters can strike at any moment without warning; thus, we need to be prepared before they happen! Let's get you ready before a natural disaster strikes!

Before any disaster, we need to always be ready:

1. Prepare an emergency kit. You can check out our previous blog post or our Instagram post:

2. Make plans for you and your family in case of an emergency. I suggest making multiple plans too, so if plan A fails, you always have plan B (and C, or D, etc.) to tackle different scenarios that come up.

* You also need to practice your disaster plan with your family! This is super important, so you will panic less when a real disaster hits out of the blue.

3. Always stay informed. Understand what disaster you might encounter in your area, and learn what you can do before disaster strikes.

*Learn about warning signs for disasters, so you can act fast!

During any disaster

1. The first thing you need to do is to get your emergency kit and follow your plan to your designated safe place.

2. Monitor with your emergency radios, news radio, or TV news for any relevant informations.

3. Be alert for and obey any shelter-in-place or evacuation order, if it's announced.

4. Stay with your loved ones and learn how to cope with each other in any upcoming uneasy situations!

There are several things you will need to look out for you and your family's health and safety:

1. Animals and insects: Try to stay away from wild and stray animals; also protect yourself from insects so you can avoid illness from them.

2. Make sure to store your water and food in a safe place.

3. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer; it is an odorless colorless gas, and can cause serious illness and death. Learn more about how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning here.

4. Power shortage. Be prepared for announced and unannounced power outages. Have flashlights and portable batteries ready to use.

5. Stay clean.

6. Be there for your loved ones. Going through a disaster is a terrible experience that stresses out all of us mentally and physically. Learn how to cope in the disaster.

After the disaster

1. Notify your family and friends that you are safe! Cell phones and telephone lines may be tied up for disaster response; it may be some time before you are able to make or receive a call.

2. Do not return home until local officials have declared it's safe to return.

3. Before you enter your home, first check for any safety hazard such as gas leaks, downed electrical lines, unstable structures, etc. Learn how. Do not enter your home if there may be any structural issues.

4. You may need to do some clean up after returning home. Things may have moved/shifted during the disaster; be prepared for thing to move/fall during cleaning. Separate hazardous wastes (e.g., lightbulbs, batteries, paints, pesticides) from regular trash and recycling; check your local waste management company for disposal procedures. If your home has extensive damage, you may need to contact a restoration company for cleanup and repairs.

Seek medical attention immediately if you and/or your family are injured or ill at any point in the disaster.