One of the greatest challenges after any major disaster is providing effective help as quickly as possible. Too often, though, this effort becomes greatly hindered by an onslaught of donated materials or well-meaning people interjecting themselves without paying attention to the directions of local or experienced 1st and 2nd responders. “Disasters within disasters” is the label often given to the logistical mess of coordinating storage and processing of all the things and finding housing for the unaffiliated volunteers and tracking their credentials or affiliations only detracts from the actual needs and ability of the local leadership and the disaster relief agencies that are encouraging local response.

How can you avoid hindering disaster response, and making sure your effort to help makes the helpful difference you want it to make, rather than another mini-disaster? 
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Begin by listening carefully to what survivors most directly impacted by disaster and local responders with first hand knowledge say they need. Often, local agencies will begin posting specific needs on their websites or other social media outlets. ​

If you are not in a position to find out specific information from survivors and local responders, here are additional ways to make sure your contribution provides the most help:

• Make a financial contribution to trusted organizations who are working with survivors. These are the most helpful ways of contributing, and will ensure your contribution is used in ways survivors feel is most helpful. This may include providing financial gifts to 1st responder organizations, 2nd responder organizations (like local counseling centers, social service agencies, or congregations), local long-term recovery groups, or larger national organizations, including ICTG, with expertise in disaster response. 
  
• Consider providing local care where you are, as well. If you are far away from the location of a disaster, many people often do not realize how very much there is to do right in their own backyard. For example, if you are heartbroken for what has occurred far away, chances are that your neighbor is too. Extending local care, in honor of those hurting far away, can produce ripple effects of healing, and can avoid creating mini-disasters in disaster zones. Volunteering can be a helpful form of response when you cannot give financially.
  
• Volunteer. If you are someone who feels strongly about giving to or going to a disaster zone, please consider joining a reputable disaster relief agency. By working through these organizations you will save yourself and those on the ground a great deal of extra, unnecessary, work.  
  
• Educate others. Education helps people prepare well for the next event that may occur in closer proximity. Education also helps squelch rumors.  Providing forums for learning about mental health, natural storms, and effects of violence on persons and communities, as well as common law enforcement, emergency response best practices, insurance practices after disaster, and social work practices, can all help to diminish speculation and inform persons about next steps. For example, hosting two or three town-hall or congregation meetings can ease anxiety and increase senses of trust.  Topic-specific adult and youth education classes also are very helpful. 
  
• Begin planning a rebuild trip. If you are far away, but want to make a difference in-person, consider coordinating with a reputable agency and planning a rebuild trip for six to nine months from now.  
  

In these days of mass media, local communities become deeply impacted by distant events.  Keeping eyes, ears, and hearts peeled to how service providers, individuals, families, and lay caregivers can best use their skills and passions to respond to local impact can greatly increase resiliency, decrease anxiety, and make growth contagious.

The Institute originally published this post on February 10, 2017, on the ICTG Blog. It has been updated.

Rebuilding a community after natural disaster is no easy feat. It takes patience, perseverance, organizational skills, teamwork, and strong leadership to get things done. For leaders participating in Long-Term Recovery (LTR) Committees, this is especially true.
 
Before the LTR group begins, first a community faces the essential tasks of immediate response, search and rescue, and assessing the full scope of damage. Communities often will create Family Assistance Centers or Local Assistance Centers for residents hopefully to reconnect with family members who are missing, or to gain access through a one-stop shop of essential resources. Once the first phase of response is complete, LTR groups can help communities leverage their assets most effectively, reduce the duplication of efforts, and meet unmet needs.

ICTG’s Senior Advisor for Congregations, FEMA, and VOAD Relations Harvey Howell knows what it takes to make a successful LTR group. Harvey has volunteered on 100+ disaster relief deployments, covering over 27 states. His focus has been on providing training to communities on disaster preparation, response, and recovery.

Below, Harvey shares seven tips for leaders to keep in mind when helping their communities rebuild after severe loss from natural disasters:

#1- It's a marathon, not a sprint. As soon as possible, establish a steady pace for the long journey rather than a mad dash. This will prevent burnout.

#2- To accomplish #1, spend time getting organized. This is especially true when faced with the pressure to urgently "do something". Spending time getting organized will be more effective in the long run.

#3- Each of us brings different strengths, aptitudes, and gifts. Remember not everyone fits the same role, and a good long-term recovery team will incorporate people with a range of abilities. 

#4- Authority matters in bringing order amid chaos and kindness goes a long way in creating trust and building reliable relationships.  

#5- The work of every committee, no matter how simple or detailed, menial or highly skilled, is accomplished by the team – more than just one person. In addition to accomplishing the task at-hand, LTR Committee work affords opportunity to share burdens, practice collaboration between organizations that might otherwise not have reason to come together, and observe future leadership in development.
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#6- The touchstone to #5 is to encourage as many participants as possible to engage in the work of long-term recovery, even if one could do the task. If one person is standing in a doorway, no one else can get into the room. Encourage participation from as wide a circle as possible.   

#7- Well-written minutes for LTR meetings are among the most encouraging documents an LTR Committee can produce. They can demonstrate progress, provide snapshots of the journey, give community-building messages, and HELP FUNDERS who want to be part of the story.

You can learn more about LTR guidelines here. ​

Interested in learning more trauma-informed best practices for your organization? Visit the ICTG training manuals menu to purchase ICTG’s resource guides. If a more personal connection would be helpful, contact us for more information about coaching for you or your staff.

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You can’t always stop something bad from happening in your city, but you can decide how you’re going to respond to it. The City of Hampton, Virginia, found that people often came looking for information after a homicide in their neighborhood. To connect people with available resources, the City instituted the R.E.S.E.T. program in partnership with the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit, City of Hampton’s Office of Youth and Young Adult Opportunities, Hampton 3-1-1, and the Hampton Police Department.

R.E.S.E.T., or Rapid Engagement of Support in the Event of Trauma, is a program led by volunteers who live in the neighborhoods they serve. Its framework is simple: neighbors share information about trauma support resources. The program is completely restorative in nature; although volunteers typically visit an area within 24 to 48 hours of a homicide or a serious violent gun violence crime, they are not investigating the crime. They are simply canvassing their community and speaking with their neighbors, creating an opportunity for residents to learn about the resources and programs available.

All volunteers must pass a background check and complete R.E.S.E.T. training. During the training, volunteers learn about the programs they will be highlighting, which include social services, 3-1-1, and other city programs, in addition to domestic violence services, counseling services, and other services offered by external city partners and non-profit organizations. Although the programs highlighted during R.E.S.E.T. visits can vary, they typically utilize the same programs each time. 

The City has seen a positive return on investment and a large increase in resident engagement. The program has attracted more volunteers as it grows and, not only are more residents utilizing the programs highlighted by R.E.S.E.T., but the City receives calls inquiring about additional opportunities for receiving services and getting engaged in the community.

Think R.E.S.E.T. might be a good fit in your community? The City of Hampton had a few tips for getting started:

1. Start with good roots. Establish solid partnerships with the agencies, departments, and organizations that offer the services you want to highlight during your R.E.S.E.T. visits. Make sure they know you’re promoting their services and are able to handle an increase in traffic.
2. Stay focused. It’s easy to see a multitude of ways R.E.S.E.T. could be utilized. Start small, develop a clear vision, and identify what types of events you have the capacity to serve. Right now, the City of Hampton only utilizes R.E.S.E.T. following a homicide; determine what need this type of program can fill in your community.
3. Say thank you. This program cannot work without volunteers. Make sure you say thank you as often as you can! The City of Hampton recommended at least one annual event where you can provide a refresher training and recognize the service of your volunteers.

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