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Responding to California Wildfires When It Matters Most
What the West Coast is facing In California, it’s been known for years that all it takes is a brief moment of wind to start a catastrophic wildfire. People who live in the state enjoy the welcoming weather and sweet aroma of the air, along with some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. But due to the fact that wildfires are a reality that looms over California, many remained prepared for the worst. For those who haven’t been fortunate enough to make arrangements in the case of a fire, their need for support is incalculable. When Beth and Albert found themselves among the hardest hit by wildfires in…
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Youth Lead the Way in Disaster Response
When the news of a disaster strikes, what is your first reaction? Do I know anyone there? Does anyone I know know anyone there? Could this happen to me? Now, Facebook allows you to mark yourself “safe” in the event of a disaster. It’s a new feature that adds updates to your feed that let you know (rather casually) that your friends are okay while simultaneously sparking an eerie realization: This could happen to me. When I joined the staff of Islamic Relief USA, the way I reacted to disasters changed. I learned that when I heard the news of a disaster, I would put aside my other tasks and focus on the emergency: talking points for…
