Ideas: How can we help with flooding?

The recent heavy rains and floods have affected thousands of lives and damaged countless homes in different parts of Bulgaria. People not affected by the disaster are sympathizing with the victims and trying to help in various ways those in need in the hardest hit areas of the country. Those affected really need our help! The best and most affordable way to help them is to organize a donation campaign. The Pavel Andreev Foundation makes it easy to set one up.

What flood victims need help with

Certainly the floods that have befallen the inhabitants of many localities arouse sympathy and a desire to help the victims. The representatives of PavelAndreev.ORG give you some ideas on how you can help people affected by floods.

Help clean up homes affected by flooding

No matter if you know people whose houses have been destroyed or damaged by the floods, you can go on the ground and offer your help to help clean them up. You might also consider joining a volunteer organization to support recovery and cleanup efforts in your area.

Depending on the level of flood damage, expect tasks such as removing water from inside houses, scooping out mud and silt, cleaning and repainting walls, and scrubbing floors.

Send essential supplies to people in flood-affected areas

Suppose you know friends or have family members who live in the affected areas. In that case, it's best to find a way to contact them first and ask what supplies the victims need before sending anything. You can also set up a charity campaign to collect the needed items for the victims.

Also read our article, What do we need to know when we want to set up a campaign to help victims of natural disasters?

Here are some of the items that people affected by floods may need:

• Nonperishable foods such as canned meats, semi-cooked soups, nut butters, dried beans, and packaged foods (e.g., cereals, oats, rice, quinoa).
• Bottled water.
• Clothes and shoes - Pay attention to recipients' clothing sizes and send only what will fit - they certainly don't need unusable items.
• Unused toiletries or hygiene kits.
• Wet wipes and diapers.
• New face masks, alcohol and hand sanitizers.
• Used furniture, mattresses.
• Working generators.
• Cleaning supplies such as mops, gloves and cleaning and laundry detergents.

Before donating goods, consider whether they will be really useful to the recipient. Items such as worn clothing, expired goods, used toiletries, broken equipment and toys will not help improve the lives of people affected by flooding.

Offer to look after an affected family's pet

Pets are like members of families. Surely flood victims would prefer to have them around all the time. However, when the damage is more serious and the family needs to be sheltered somewhere, a pet can seriously complicate matters. In this case, by volunteering you can provide invaluable help. Want to do more than just donate pet food? You can offer to watch a family's pets while they recover from flood damage. This means you will be taking care of their pet and providing a comfortable home environment for a while. Not only is this activity satisfying, but you'll also be able to make a new furry, scaly or feathered friend while you're doing it!

You can create a pet sitting listing or contact nearby pet owners directly who need help. If you are in need of funds and have an idea on how to help more animals affected by the floods, you can post your cause on pavel andreev.

Provide a safe and dry home for the family

Have an extra room or two in your home? It would certainly be helpful if you could offer them for a few days as temporary shelter for a family who has lost their home. What victims need more than anything now is security.

Help someone save their personal belongings

Use your skills to help in flood relief efforts. If you yourself are in one of the affected areas and have the opportunity, help help helpless people who are near you to save some of their personal belongings for example.

Donation campaign to help flood victims in Berkovitsa

The team of the Pavel Andreev Foundation provides the opportunity to open campaigns in aid of the flood victims in Berkovitsa. A charity campaign on our website for donations can be opened both by the victims themselves and their relatives or acquaintances who want to help. Tell the specific story of the person or family. You can also attach photos so potential donors can get a better idea of what is going on. The more honestly and emotionally you tell the story, the faster supporters will be found to help overcome the difficult situation. Indeed, some people find it difficult and distressing to seek help, but in fact, at times like this, it is the main way to get past the problem and repair the damage done.

Check out our article How to write your fundraising story: 12 useful tips

Conclusion

If you want to help flood victims, there are many ways to do so. One of the best options is setting up a charity campaign. Such natural disasters usually cause serious damage. Many families lose belongings, savings, valuables, or even their entire homes. This means that they are unlikely to have the funds once the disaster has passed to repair and buy new furniture. It is at times like these that people need support. Thanks to fundraising through donation campaigns, rebuilding can happen far more easily. Every donation is important, whatever its financial value. Because apart from helping physical survival and moving on in decent living conditions, making a donation means support, concern, humanity... Often the victims need this more than material things.

We at the Pavel Andreev Foundation support both the victims and anyone who is willing to set up a campaign on our page so that as many of the victims as possible can be helped.