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en españolCatástrofes naturales: Cómo ayudar

Natural disasters are things like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or tornados. Even when they happen far away, we feel for the people who are going through them.

It can be more stressful if a natural disaster happens close to home or affects people you know. It’s good to talk about what’s going on, and how you feel. Talk with your friends and adults in your life. Be a good listener for others who might want to talk.

It’s also good to find a way to help. When we turn our empathy into action, we can do something that matters.

What Can I Do?

There are things that everyone can do to help those who need it. Even small actions and small donations make a difference. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Find out what kind of help people need.

Check the website of a group like the Red Cross, or a local group that’s set up to help. They know what people need most and the best ways to help. You can pitch in to support their efforts.

Depending on the situation, a relief group may need donations of food, water, or other supplies. They may need volunteers for a clean-up project, or to pack boxes of food or supplies. Often, raising money helps the most.

If you plan to donate supplies, ask the group for a list of what they need. Choose what to give from their list. That way, they don’t have to spend money storing or handling extra stuff they can’t use.