The outpouring of generosity often benefits victims of natural disaster in the immediate aftermath of the horrendous trauma. Often victims are left alone to discover their post-disaster normalcy. In their vulnerability, victims are often preyed upon by human traffickers. GRACE provides awareness, counseling services and financial assistance through the next weeks, months and year. Provisions are customized to their needs and may include funds for groceries, clothing, furniture, and housing.
Disasters may be explosions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, or fires. In a disaster, victims face the danger of death or physical injury. People may also lose their family member(s), home, possessions, and community. Such stressors place survivors at risk for sudden onset of various problems. Increased mental health issues, alcohol misuse, domestic violence, chronic disease, unemployment, relocation, exploitation, and human trafficking have resulted from extreme weather events.
Supporting families in the aftermath of natural disasters alleviates burdens of economic, physical and mental stressors. Advocating for families in their community helps to guide survivors through their new journey of recovery. Collaborating within their community to assist in relocation and establishing their new home, ongoing access to improve their physical wellbeing and emotional health care, and provisions of essential items throughout the first six months to a year prevents exploitation.
Provision of trauma resolution therapy, in addition to meeting physical needs, empowers survivors with skills to face the challenges beyond the disaster. Equipping survivors by walking alongside them throughout the aftermath of natural disaster prevents mental health issues, alcoholism, domestic violence, exacerbation of disease, financial burdens of loss of employment, fears of isolation, exploitation and human trafficking. Effective establishment of a healthy member of community and society.
