Environmental Refugees

“The devastating effects of natural disasters . . . are hitting the poorest the hardest.”¹

Natural disasters can tear apart communities and families in just a few minutes. It is said that, "With each new disaster, precious gains made in poverty eradication are swept away."  Whether in developed or developing countries, a natural disaster can plunge a community into distress, but it is the poorest that suffer the most.

"Of the 443,000 people killed and 2.5 billion affected by weather-related incidents in the last 10 years more than 98 percent of them came from developing countries" ¹

Every year weather-related disasters kill an average of 45,000 people. A further 245 million people are affected through homelessness, loss of income and destruction of infrastructure. ¹

The International Federation of the Red Cross (ICRC) says climate change disasters are currently a bigger cause of population displacement than war and persecution. While changes in climate affect harvest, temperature and other areas of life, our focus is on sudden natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, tornados and earthquakes. For more information on climate change, including a biblical framework for good stewardship visit:  www.tearfund.org/Campaigning/Climate+change+and+disasters/

Those most gravely affected by sudden/natural disasters are those without the knowledge or ability to plan for such an event. The poor and uneducated are hardest hit for several reasons.  They are unable to prepare; they are the least likely to receive timely aid because of location, rights and general awareness; and they will suffer the effects over a longer period of time, being unable to attain the resources to rebuild and already struggling in the depths of poverty prior to the disaster. 

After a natural disaster, hundreds of thousands can be left homeless, jobless and without means to regain their livelihood. Orphans and widows have no chance of rebuilding and few chances to work.

It doesn't have to be so.

The importance of preparation

According to Andy Atkins, Tearfund Advocacy Director, "Airlifting stranded people from floodwaters and sending food packages to those affected by drought can no longer be our sole response to weather-related disasters.  As a global community we have a moral responsibility to invest our aid money upfront in helping the planet's poorest people prepare for predictable disaster. If we do not, then many thousands of lives will be needlessly lost and billions of pounds of aid money will not be used to best effect . . . In the developed world we invest millions of pounds into reducing the risks associated with floods and droughts. Yet we do not follow the same strategy with our international aid budgets." ¹

"Simple, cost effective measures like evacuation, rescue training and storing food and medical supplies on safe ground can ensure that vulnerable communities are able to cope when disaster strikes." ¹

Learn more: http://www.tearfund.org/

Practically helping during relief efforts

Compiled from several aid agencies and organizations, here are some ways you can help with immediate and long term needs after a disaster:

• Make a cash donation to an established relief agency
• Ship specifically needed items to an organization working in the area
• Volunteer if you are trained and have needed skills
• Help with long-term recovery and restoration
• Donate blood

For more in depth information: http://www.idealist.org/disaster.html

Why be involved?

Isaiah 58:10 - If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Matthew 10:42 - And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.

Acts 20:35 - In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

1. Eccelston, Paul. "Poorest Hit Hardest by Climate Change, Says Report." Telegraph 12 June 2007. 25 June 2008 www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2007/12/06/eatearfund106.xml

Link to IRIN News www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78457

Link to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Health Emergencies in Large Populations (H.E.L.P.) Training program: www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/help_course?opendocument