Natural disasters and calamities are almost always bound to happen. However, it is the aftermath of such an event that can be unpredictable. Of course, the best-case scenario: no one gets hurt and everything is alright. But in recent years, people have seen the extent of how catastrophic a natural calamity can be.
Two years ago, to begin 2020, Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, causing numerous casualties and displaced individuals. On November 12 of the same year, Typhoon Ulysses caused dam overflowing and river floods across Luzon. Lastly, the most recent Typhoon Odette, the most powerful typhoon to date, caused massive destruction to regions around Visayas and Mindanao.
Natural disasters come and go but the lingering effects—like food and water shortage, broken homes, and psychological damages, to name a few—may require long-term rehabilitation. Despite the help received from local organizations, the government, and even from other countries, people usually see through the news and social media that victims continue to tribulate and ask for help.
Therefore, the rest of the Filipino nation must lend a hand and help calamity victims rebuild and get back to living normally. Here are some tips on how to extend your help in the event of a natural calamity.
Cash Donation
Donating cash to local organizations spearheading relief towards victims is the easiest way to send help if you have some spare cash and if time is not of the luxury. Moreover, cash is the most flexible because when you give the organization the money, it is up to them what to do with it; they can procure almost anything with cash. Local organizations and/or donation drives are always accepting cash donations.
If you are having a hard time donating money to these, try donating cash in a different way. One way is to spend on someone’s fundraiser. For example, a local artist will hold a concert where all proceeds go to calamity victims. These events will most likely be online so if you live in a condo, you can make most of your donation through an online concert in the comforts of condo living. This way, you will be able to enjoy while lending a helping hand.
Send essentials
From the word “essentials”, donating items as such will help victims cope with the disaster and survive before being able to go back to normal. Essential items include but are not limited to canned goods, bottled water, old clothing, and toiletries.
It is these essential items that are broken or lost during a calamity then are scarce after the calamity. In addition to this, stores that sell these will probably not open soon after the natural disaster because they are coping with the problems caused by it.
Going to the people who were not affected by a natural disaster, they are most likely the people who have a surplus of the essential items above. Since you may not be using these items, this will be the perfect time to donate unused items to people who direly need them.
If you have no unused items to give but you want to lend a hand, you can always go to a local supermarket and assemble your donation package. The Currency, a Vista Residences ready for occupancy condo in Pasig City, is near many supermarkets where you can buy essentials for donation.
Host a donation drive
If you want to be at the forefront of lending a helping hand to natural disaster victims, you can be the one to host a donation drive. This will be more effective if you have a high reach and many friends to help you.
To do this, you can post ads on the internet or social media to spread the word that you are in charge of a donation drive. Your ad must contain the following information: where and when to donate and then what to donate.
For the donation drive itself, be ready to hold large amounts of inventory. If you plan to stay at a condo, Vista Residence, a condo in the Philippines, contains ample space for you to keep your inventory at your unit and assist you in your donation drive.
Volunteer
If you want to lead the assistance to calamity victims but cannot host a donation drive, you can volunteer at local organizations and provide them assistance. Seeing the destruction with your own eyes may propel you to be at the frontlines and volunteer.
There are many ways you can be useful when volunteering. One, you can help serve at a soup kitchen. Two, you can pack goods to be donated. Three, you can be in charge of an organization's finances to be donated. All in all, being a volunteer is being helpful.
Donate Blood
Studies show that after a natural disaster, blood is in high demand. Unfortunately, blood is never high in supply, and in the aftermath of a calamity, this shortage is further exacerbated. Also, while the government and medical institutions can donate other medical-related items, blood is not one of them. This is because hospitals cannot stock up on blood and its different types because blood has a short shelf life.
Hence, if you are eligible and willing to donate blood, you will be of great help to calamity victims in need of blood.
Vista Residence infrastructures are built to withstand almost every natural disaster. The condos are built using top-of-the-line technology that can subsist unfortunate events as such. Be it strong winds or an earthquake, Vista is sturdy enough not to crack and fall. If it is a typhoon, Vista can handle the winds and is tall enough not to be bothered by flooding.
But, another thing about Vista Residences’ condo design is to house multiple people. In the event that there is a Vista Residences condo near a place damaged by a calamity, this could be an opportunity for you to open up your condo and let victims stay until they can live normally on their own again.
Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.
For more information on Vista Residences, email info@vistaresidences.com.ph, follow @VistaResidencesOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, or call the Marketing Office at 0999 886 4262 / 0917 582 5167.
