What efforts and resources are needed to recover from a disaster

Disasters, whether natural or due to human error, cause enormous damage to the environment, destruction of infrastructure and loss of life.

In such situations, it is very important to organise activities in order to speed up relief and recovery. They are the responsibility of both the state and society. The main objective after a disaster is to restore normal life and provide assistance to the victims. For this, it is necessary to coordinate common actions in order to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible. This includes organising rescue operations, providing medical assistance to victims, evacuating and rehousing people in a safe place, repairing and rebuilding infrastructure, providing food and drinking water, as well as psychological and financial support. But what kind of efforts and resources are needed to recover from a disaster?

Efforts needed to recover from a disaster

Disaster recovery efforts initially focus on priority setting, by government organisations. They must quickly determine what actions need to be taken to reduce damage and provide assistance to affected people. In this case, they should take into account the following principles:

• Saving lives and preventing further loss. Here, efforts are focused on saving people in the danger areas and preventing further loss of life. This may include extinguishing a fire, cleaning up riverbeds, or preventing the release of gas or other hazardous substances;
• Ensuring the safety of all people in disaster-affected areas. This includes establishing safe zones, temporary shelter, testing for hazardous substances, and monitoring food and water safety;
• After a natural disaster, much of the effort is also focused on rebuilding infrastructure. This may include restoring power, water supplies, rebuilding destroyed roads, bridges, and more;

Post-disaster recovery resources

In addition to medical and humanitarian assistance and psychological support, disaster victims need more than a few resources. Financial assistance is needed for:

• Rebuilding collapsed, flooded or burned residential and public buildings;
• Rebuilding road infrastructure, collapsed roads, bridges, etc;
• Funds for medical expenses, debris cleanup costs, building of breached levees, etc;
• Funds to restore power, water and communications;
• Funds to procure food, water, clothing and other necessities;
• Funds to provide temporary shelter for people who have lost their homes in an earthquake, flood or fire.

The State is providing funds to the victims, but frankly they are too insufficient to cover the full damage. More funds are therefore needed, which can most quickly and easily be raised through a fundraising campaign.

How to organise a fundraising campaign

Starting such a charitable cause to raise funds for disaster recovery requires creating a plan, discussing different ideas for charity and sharing them with different organizations. Media, social networking or donation sites can be used for this purpose. A donation campaign can be organized in different ways, with the ultimate goal of each being to raise funds as quickly as possible and make them available to those most in need in the affected areas.

Define the purpose of your campaign

The first step in organizing a fundraising campaign for disaster victims is to create a goal and determine the amount you want to raise and donate. It can be for the purchase of necessities such as: food, clothing, medicine, first aid kits, etc. Funds can also be used to fund medical expenses, therapeutic services, clean up of the destruction or flooded buildings, etc.

Choosing a platform to organize a donation campaign

You can use national and online media, social networks to organise your charitable cause or contact organisations on whose online platform you can organise a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds. One of these organizations is the Pavel Andreev Foundation, which gives everyone the opportunity to join an existing fundraising campaign or create one themselves. Through our platform to find people willing to help the needy victims after a disaster.

Create a donation campaign

When setting up a donation campaign, you should explain very clearly what its goals are and what the financial need of the disaster victims is. The message to donors can also be reinforced with pictures showing what damage has been done and what the real needs of the people in the disaster area are.

Organise a donation campaign through social networks

Social media is where you can share about the crowdfunding campaign you have organised to raise funds for those affected by a natural disaster. Share what you plan to use the money raised for. Such as rebuilding homes, medical aid, buying food, clothing and medicine for those in need.

With the help of social networks, you will reach many more people who are willing to get involved with your charity initiative.

Raising funds for disaster recovery through the Pavel Andreev Foundation

Planning, managing and implementing your donation campaign can also be done through the Pavel Andreev Foundation website. On our platform PavelAndreev.ORG, you can share your ideas for charity and what funds are needed for disaster recovery. Pavel Andreev and our entire team are behind every charitable cause that aims to help people in need of support.

If you would like to raise funds by creating a fundraising campaign you can exchange your ideas with us to make your campaign as effective as possible. On our donation site you can share what the costs are and what the timeframe is to raise the amount you are aiming to reach.