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How to Help Flood Victims

Last Updated: April 18, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 217,907 times. Learn more...

Floods can be devastating. Depending on the severity, flood victims might lose everything they have: their homes, their jobs, even their loved ones. Whether it’s donating a dollar or volunteering to rebuild damaged houses, there are a several ways to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Determining How to Help

Step 1 Find out where the flood happened.

  • Depending on where the flood occurred, different humanitarian organizations will be involved in coordinating relief efforts.
  • If the flood occurred in the United States, chances are the American Red Cross [1] X Research source and Salvation Army will be marshalling aid and leading relief efforts.
  • If it is an international natural disaster, check to see if UNICEF or AmeriCares are providing aid in the affected area. [2] X Research source
  • Visit the organization's website or call to find out what kind of aid they are providing and how you can best get involved.

Step 2 Stay informed and up-to-date over time.

  • Different needs will arise at different moments in the crisis. For instance, there will be emergent needs in the immediate aftermath as well as long-term rebuilding needs for years to come.
  • Sometimes an organization will reach maximum capacity with certain types of donations (like clothing), but have a deficit in another area. The best way to know what is most needed is to frequently check-in with the status of their aid efforts and need by calling or looking for updates on their social media accounts.

Step 3 Decide how you would like to help.

  • If you have extra funds or goods, you might consider making monetary donations. If you have time, skills, or other supportive resources to offer in lieu of monetary donations, you can offer these to those in need.
  • There are pros/cons for each this type of involvement: for donations, a pro is that you can act quickly and put resources in the hands of organizations who can decide how to best help the victims. A con to making donations is that you don't necessarily know if all of your money will go directly to the victims (be sure to research how organizations administer donations before you give to them). One of the biggest pros of volunteering instead of donating money is that you get to feel like you really providing hands-on helps while interacting with people. A potential con is the danger and risk of injury associated with traveling to flood zones.

Making Donations

Step 1 Make a monetary donation.

  • Be sure that you are donating to a reputable organization like The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, or UNICEF. Unfortunately, some sham organizations can crop up in the aftermath of disasters as ploys to steal well-intentioned donations.
  • Ask if you can make a donation via text message. A recent trend among aid organizations is to provide a phone number and keyword for people to make a donations. The amount you give will show up on your next mobile phone bill. It’s as easy as sending a text message, and much more meaningful!

Step 2 Donate goods.

  • Gently used clothing, socks, shoes, bedding, and blankets are almost always in need after a devastating flood.
  • You can also help the children affected by floods by sending them books and toys.
  • Purchase and donate new, non-perishable food items and bottled drinking water.
  • First aid kits, tents, mosquito netting, soap, and hygiene products might also be needed.

Step 3 Donate blood.

Becoming a Volunteer

Step 1 Volunteer in the affected area.

  • If you meet height, weight, age, fitness, education, and U.S. citizenship requirements, consider joining the National Guard . The National Guard is a part-time, locally organized branch of the U.S. military that responds to natural disasters (both in the U.S. and sometimes abroad) as part of their call of duty. After completing basic training, you can chose a short-term enlistment (three years) and then continue to be a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) who are called up in the event of emergencies like natural disasters. [5] X Research source
  • Consider volunteering with Habitat for Humanities or other organizations whose mission is to clear debris, help homeowners salvage their personal belongings, and rebuild damaged homes. [6] X Research source

Step 2 Volunteer your professional services.

  • If you are a health care professional, see if you can donate your medical services or supplies.
  • If you are a contractor or work in construction, volunteer your manpower, supplies, and other resources towards rebuilding efforts.
  • If you are an educator or child care worker, offer to provide support and assistance with displaced families and their children.
  • If you are a business owner, especially in the area surrounding the flood, offer discounts or gratis goods/services to those affected by the flood.

Step 3 Volunteer outside of the affected area.

  • Get in touch with the local branch of the aid organization working with flood victims and see if they need help in their call center, hotline, or donation processing facility.
  • You can also become a community liaison by collecting local donations and bringing them to the regional sorting facility.

Offering Other Kinds of Support

Step 1 Offer shelter.

  • If you are part of a church or religious organization, encourage your leaders to reach out to flood victims with support as well as tangible aid.
  • Some large religious organization, like the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team , send crisis-trained chaplains into areas impacted by natural disasters to coordinate relief efforts and provide further emotional and spiritual support for those affected.
  • If you are a spiritual person, pray for the flood victims and/or reflect for a moment on the situation. Open your heart to ways you can help, and be a comfort to those in need.

Step 3 Offer emotional support.

  • Ask how you can be most helpful to those affected by the flood. They might need a hot, home cooked meal, help taking care of their pets, or photographing flood damage for insurance claims.
  • Be a good listener and remember that sometimes its best to just listen and not offer your own opinions or solutions without being asked for them.
  • Remember that people need support in the days, months, and even years following natural disasters. Be sensitive to the fact that new issues and difficulties can continue to arise, even after the flood waters subside.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Don’t go into flood areas without authorization and without being part of an organized relief effort. It might be dangerous for you, and ultimately unhelpful to others. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Be sure your donations go to a reputable organization so that your dollars end up in the right place. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Do not attempt to provide mental help and psychological support unless you are a trained professional. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

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  • ↑ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/flood-relief.html
  • ↑ https://www.americares.org/take-action/
  • ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/natural-disaster.html
  • ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/natural-disaster.html
  • ↑ https://www.nationalguard.com/guard-faqs#faq-454
  • ↑ https://www.habitat.org/volunteer
  • ↑ https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/resource/10-creative-ways-to-volunteer
  • ↑ https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html#step1
  • ↑ https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/coast-to-coast--red-cross-helping-disaster-victims.html

About This Article

To help flood victims, try making a monetary donation to a reputable organization, like the American Red Cross or UNICEF. You can also donate used or newly purchase goods, such as blankets, clothes, and first aid kits. Alternatively, consider volunteering with an organization, like Habitat for Humanities, to help clear the debris and rebuild damaged homes. If you're unable to travel to the site, get in touch with your local branch of an aid organization to see if they need help in their call center or donation processing facility. To learn more, like how to help flood victims by volunteering your professional services, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Flood Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on flood.

Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers. Moreover, it also happens because of the melting of snow. Another reason for floods is when the dam breaks down. If we look at the coastal areas, the hurricanes and tsunamis are held responsible for causing floods. In this essay on flood, we will see the prevention and after-affect of flood.

flood essay

In other words, whatever the cause may be, it is equally dangerous. It has a lot of harmful consequences. Flood damages the living conditions and it takes a lot of time to recover from this disaster. Therefore, the consequences of floods must be known and steps must be taken to prevent it.

After-effects of Flood

Floods interrupt with the day to day functioning of the affected area. The severe floods sometimes cause mass destruction. A lot of people and animals lose their lives due to floods. Several others are injured. Floods also bring a rise in diseases. The stagnant water attracts mosquitoes causing malaria , dengue, and more illnesses.

Furthermore, people face power cuts due to the danger of electrocution. They also have to face expensive pricing. As the supply of food and goods gets limited, the prices naturally grow higher. This creates a big problem for the common man.

Most importantly, the whole country faces economic loss. The resources needed to rescue people and tackle this disaster demands a hefty amount. Plus, the citizens lose their houses and cars which they worked all their lives for.

Subsequently, floods also hamper the environment. It causes soil erosion and this degrades the quality of the soil. We lose out on fertile soil. Similarly, floods also damage flora and fauna. They damage crops and displace trees. Thus, the measure should be taken to avoid these grave consequences.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Ways to Prevent flood

The government and citizens must work together to formulate ways to prevent floods. Proper awareness must be spread about the steps to take when floods occur. Warning systems must be set up so people get sufficient time to save themselves. In addition, areas that are more likely to have floods must have tall buildings above the flood level.

help flood victims essay

Other than that, dams must be constructed strongly. The use of cheap materials causes dams to break. The government must ensure there is a quality building of dams to prevent floods.

In short, we cannot prevent natural causes like rain and the melting of glaciers. However, we can stop the manmade causes like breaking of dams, poor drainage system, installing warning systems and more. We should take inspiration from countries like Singapore that never experience floods despite having heavy rainfall for most time of the year.

FAQ on Flood Essay

Q.1 what are the consequences of a flood.

A.1 Floods cause immense destruction. They are responsible for the loss of human and animal lives. People lose their homes and cars in floods. They also cause soil erosion and uproot of trees.

Q.2 How can we prevent floods?

A.2 Governments must take up certain measures to prevent floods. We can install flood warning systems. Make people aware of what to do in times of flood. Moreover, we can also build a proper drainage system that will ensure no waterlogging.

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Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters.

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Provide safe, dry shelter until families can return home

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Serve water and hot meals

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Play with kids staying in shelters

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Ensure people with disabilities get the help they need

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Provide first aid

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Meet with families to prepare recovery plans

Recent Flood Relief Efforts

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In late July of 2022, heavy rains caused extreme flooding across eastern Kentucky, causing immense damage to homes and critical infrastructure in multiple communities. In the weeks to come, the American Red Cross was there to support those in Kentucky who were impacted by the devastating flood waters.

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In Spring 2019, communities across the Midwest were ravaged by a series of flooding and severe weather events—including multiple devastating tornadoes—that impacted tens of thousands of residents.

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Residents of Oroville, CA were ordered to evacuate after a hole in an emergency spillway in the Oroville Dam threatened to flood the surrounding area.

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It took time for people to get back on their feet, but with the commitment of generous donors and volunteers, we were able to help ensure they had the support to recover.

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In late June of 2016, devastating floods hit West Virginia, covering a large portion of the state.

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In 2016, American Red Cross helped tens of thousands of people across Texas impacted by relentless severe weather, flooding and tornadoes in more than 130 counties—many of which were struck multiple times.

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How to Help Flood Victims? Essay

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1. donate to accredited disaster relief organizations, 3. send goods and supplies to loved ones in affected areas, 4. ship supplies into recovery and evacuation zones, 5. give blood.

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help flood victims essay

Want to help people affected by floods? Here’s what to do – and what not to

help flood victims essay

Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies, The University of Queensland

Disclosure statement

Nicole George received funding from the Queensland Government in 2011 to support some of the research discussed in this article

University of Queensland provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

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Lismore and Brisbane’s catastrophic flood emergency has come only a short time after the last flooding disaster.

We know from previous floods that as soon as the water recedes, flood-affected areas will be inundated with well-meaning volunteers wanting to help with the clean-up.

But although this volunteer effort is welcome in some ways, it can also be challenging for flood impacted people to manage and absorb.

As someone who lost pretty much everything in the 2011 Brisbane floods and who then led an ethnographic study on community responses to the floods in my suburb in the following year, I have some insights for those eager to help in the days to come.

Read more: Drinking water can be a dangerous cocktail for people in flood areas

1. Instead of ‘what can I do?’ ask ‘can I do such-and-such?’

Having a stream of unknown people walking through your property all asking what they can do to help can feel thoroughly overwhelming.

When those questions were asked of me by strangers in 2011, I was still in shock, and often struggled to say anything meaningful at all.

Rather than “What can I do?”, it was much easier if people said things like “Can I do such-and-such for you?”

So, trying not to put the burden of coordination on those you want to help is critically important.

Instead, ask if a particular task would be useful. People will often be grateful for your initiative.

help flood victims essay

2. A less public approach to assistance can be very valuable

Brisbane’s 2011 Mud Army , as the name suggests, was a team of volunteers often focused on shovelling out mud-soaked belongings that became heaped up on people’s nature strips.

The pace was relentless and for me – and many I interviewed – felt uncontrolled.

We all later lamented the fact we had not tried to save more. Of course, many things are unsalvageable. But for treasured goods it doesn’t hurt to try.

This means a more mundane and less public approach to assistance can be very valuable.

For example, you might offer to:

empty people’s kitchen cupboards

take those items back to your own home (wheelbarrows, if you live close by, or plastic crates are great for these tasks)

wash those things and see what can be saved.

Likewise, you can also suggest people find their favourite clothing items and, again, wash or even dry clean these items for them and see if these can survive.

One of the nicest things someone did for me was to take a couple of tubs of plastic toys and Lego and wash these at home. With a toothbrush, I believe. It meant a lot to my kids.

help flood victims essay

3. Don’t ‘donate’ your unwanted junk

Please do not “donate” your old junk and expect gratitude in return.

In 2011, I struggled with how much stuff people gave us that was unusable, ranging from rotten food and clothing that did not fit to broken kitchen goods and toys.

This just makes people feel awful generally, as if they have become destitute. It can also make people feel guilty because they are unable to absorb items they know people expect them to be receiving thankfully.

4. Be a good listener

In the longer term, let your flood-affected family and friends talk about this event as long as they need to.

People will be traumatised long after the clean-up ends. They need time, and to share struggles. Some may prefer to keep things to themselves. Others take comfort in talking. If they do, be generous.

One friend complained to me some months later in 2011 that flood-affected people seemed to talk about nothing else.

Many in my neighbourhood had similar responses, which meant we often felt we could only talk amongst ourselves about our experiences and emotions.

So, allow your flood-affected family and friends to continue to reflect on their experiences and losses if that is what they want to do.

And please try not reproach them if this is a recurring theme of conversation in the months or years that follow.

help flood victims essay

We moved to higher ground a few years back but it has been surprising to me how much I am affected watching this disaster unfold again in the last days.

I will be heading back to our old suburb in coming days to help and will try to practice what I preach here.

Read more: Don't go wading in flood water if you can help it. It's a health risk for humans – and dogs too

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9 Best Charities That Help Flood Victims (Complete 2024 List)

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help flood victims essay

Floods are the most prevalent natural disaster worldwide. They cause widespread devastation in entire communities, resulting in loss of life and damage to personal property and essential public infrastructure. Fortunately, charitable organizations are working tirelessly to assist those affected by floods worldwide, by providing support to help them rebuild their lives. So we had to ask: What are the best charities that help flood victims?

The best charities that help flood victims are All Hands and Hearts and Direct Relief. Charities like Americares, International Relief Teams, and Team Rubicon provide health and other supportive services to disaster survivors locally and globally.

Whether you want to assist flood victims to find shelter, provide disaster relief to affected communities, or reduce human suffering in times of crisis, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help flood victims are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Help Flood Victims Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate in the US and globally, providing humanitarian aid to victims of floods and other natural disasters.

Many of these charities help those affected by floods to rebuild disaster-resilient homes, schools, and public infrastructure. Others focus on providing medical aid to individuals and communities affected by floods and other disasters.

Yet they all share the same goal; to support flood victims in their time of need.

These Are the 9 Best Charities That Help Flood Victims in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that help flood victims (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article) :

Best Charities That Help Flood Victims

Logo for All Hands and Hearts

Direct Relief

Logo for Americares

International Relief Teams

Logo for Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon

Logo for American Red Cross

American Red Cross

Logo for Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan’s Purse

Logo for The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army

Logo for Nechama

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

All Hands and Hearts: Response. Recovery. Resilience. Renewal.

All Hands and Hearts was founded in 2005 by David Campbell and Petra Němcová to provide relief to residents in areas affected by natural disasters. Today, they continue to address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters, including floods.

All Hands and Hearts Mission Statement

Their transparency & ratings :

All Hands and Hearts has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“All Hands and Hearts effectively and efficiently addresses the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters.” All Hands and Hearts

What they do :

All Hands and Hearts help communities affected by natural disasters, including floods, to rebuild disaster-resilient homes and schools . They also alleviate the damage caused to community parks and spaces by planting trees, cleaning up debris , rebuilding playgrounds, and repainting public structures. In addition, they undertake Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) initiatives to improve the health of children and community members by reducing the incidence of water and sanitation-related illnesses after a flood. 

What they’ve achieved:

Since their inception, All Hands and Hearts has helped over 1.2 million people affected by floods and other natural disasters. They now work with over 63,000 volunteers in 23 countries . They have also created more than 140 disaster-relief programs . In addition, All Hands and Hearts has helped over 117,000 children return to school and cleaned up and rebuilt over 325 schools affected by natural disasters, including floods. 

Ways to contribute :

You can donate directly to All Hands and Hearts through their website. You can also support them by volunteering or fundraising on their behalf. In addition, you can assist them by giving to their Kentucky flood relief project.

Direct Relief: Healthy People. Better World.

Direct Relief was founded in 1948 by Wilhelm Julius Arthur Zimdin to help World War II survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Today, they are a global organization working to improve the health and lives of people affected by disasters or poverty, including floods.

What Guides Direct Relief

Direct Relief has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigato r. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“We work to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.” Direct Relief

Direct Relief equips healthcare workers with resources so they can provide medical services to those affected by disasters, including floods. These resources include emergency medical packs , cholera treatment kits , and oral rehydration solutions . They also provide emergency prep packs filled with antibiotics and medication to treat conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and severe allergic reaction during floods, hurricanes, and other disasters.

Since their founding, Direct Relief has spent over $1.5 billion to provide medical aid in the US and 80 other countries . For example, they provided over 501 million doses of medicine and equipped 2,177 healthcare workers to provide medical services to those affected by floods and other disasters. They also made 16,972 deliveries of 10 million pounds of medicine and supplies to help flood victims and other disaster survivors.

You can donate directly to Direct Relief through their website. You can also assist the charity by volunteering or fundraising to help flood victims.

Americares: Health Is on the Way

Americares was founded in 1979 by Robert and Alma Jane Macauley to provide medicine, clothes, and other supplies to people affected by poverty and disaster. Today, they continue to provide humanitarian relief for critical health issues and natural disasters, including floods.

Americares: Get to Know Us and Our Impact to Improve Global Health

Americares has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“Americares saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so they can reach their full potential.” Americares

Americares provides emergency medical and humanitarian aid in response to floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and other disasters. They also train health workers in mobile health centers to identify trauma and support the most vulnerable victims. In addition, they send emergency medical teams to houses and communities to provide primary health care and referrals for specialized care following floods or other natural disasters.

Americares provides high-quality medication and supplies to communities impacted by disasters in 85 countries annually. For example, in 2021, they spent over $47.3 million on emergency aid and distributed 9 million relief supplies worldwide. They also provided direct humanitarian assistance to over 550,000 people through 123 health projects for flood victims and other disaster survivors.

You can donate directly to Americares through their website. You can also assist the charity by volunteering or partnering with them if you are a medical professional.

International Relief Teams: Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives.

International Relief Teams was established in 1988 by Barry La Forgia to alleviate human suffering by providing humanitarian relief to those in need. Today, they provide health and other supportive services to victims of disaster, poverty, and neglect locally and globally, including floods.

Honoring Our Founder Barry La Forgia International Relief Teams

International Relief Teams holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“International Relief Teams alleviates the suffering caused by poverty and disaster.” International Relief Teams

International Relief Teams offer immediate and long-term humanitarian relief to flood victims and other disaster survivors in the US and worldwide. They do this by providing medical supplies and direct funding to partner organizations in affected communities. They also send out skilled volunteers to help flood victims to rebuild their homes.

Since their founding, International Relief Teams has provided over $574 million in food, relief supplies, medicines, and volunteer services to flood victims and other families in need. They now work with over 7,500 volunteers to provide disaster relief in 75 countries . For example, in 2021, they delivered emergency food to 4,120 families affected by natural disasters in Central America. They also provided 15,127 tarps and solar lanterns to disaster survivors on the Gulf Coast. 

You can donate directly to International Relief Teams through their website. You can also assist them by volunteering or giving to flood victims in Pakistan.

Team Rubicon: Built To Serve

Team Rubicon was established in 2010 by a team of 8 volunteers to provide disaster relief to earthquake survivors in Haiti. Today, they are a global organization helping communities impacted by disasters such as floods.

More Than a Mission | Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities, before, during, and after disasters and crises.” Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon provides relief to communities in need . They do this by helping to clear debris and by providing free rebuilding services following a flood or other natural disaster. In addition, their medical teams provide emergency medical and trauma care for chronic conditions and preventable diseases. They also organize care for more complex health situations and patient transport systems management for disaster survivors, including flood victims. 

Since their founding, Team Rubicon has deployed over 1.2 million hours to assist disaster-affected communities worldwide. They have also trained more than 29,765 volunteers in disaster response tactics. In addition, they provided free disaster relief services to victims affected by over 171 floods and 93 severe weather conditions worldwide. 

You can donate directly to Team Rubicon through their website. You can also support them by volunteering or purchasing merchandise from their online store .

American Red Cross: Help Those Affected by Disasters

The American Red Cross was established in 1881 by Clara Barton to support people in need. Today, they provide disaster relief and support military and veteran families in the US and worldwide, including those affected by floods.

We are the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.​” American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides free disaster relief to families and communities in need. They do this by assessing damage in impacted communities and distributing clean-up supplies to clear debris caused by floods. They also provide safe and dry temporary shelte r to families affected by floods and work with them on their recovery plans. In addition, they offer first aid and emotional support to flood victims and assistance to people with disabilities.

Since their inception, the American Red Cross has responded to over 60,000 disasters every year. For example, in 2019 and 2020, they distributed over 308,200 meals and snacks to those affected by floods in the Midwest. They also provided nearly 130,300 relief materials and 15,000 overnight shelters to these flood victims. In addition, they supported over 17,000 flood victims , including those with disabilities and functional needs, with medical, mental health, and spiritual care.

You can donate directly to the American Red Cross through their website. You can also assist them by volunteering or by donating blood to flood victims and other disaster survivors in need. In addition, you can support the charity by buying merchandise from their online store .

Samaritan’s Purse: Helping in Jesus’ Name

The Samaritan’s Purse was founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce to meet emergency needs in crisis areas. Today, they are a global organization providing immediate support and recovery services to those affected by floods and other disasters and crises.

Helping In Jesus' Name

The Samaritan’s Purse has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“We are a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” Samaritan’s Purse

The Samaritan’s Purse provides medical supplies and deploys disaster assistance to meet disaster victims’ needs worldwide. They also deliver emergency food kits and install community filtration systems to provide clean water to communities affected by floods and other disasters. In addition, they construct transitional shelters to support flood victims and those recovering from other disasters.

Since their founding, the Samaritan’s Purse has supported flood victims and other disaster survivors worldwide . For example, in 2020, they provided relief efforts through nearly 1500 volunteers and completed clean up and recovery on 315 homes affected by floods in Michigan. Also, in 2014, they delivered humanitarian aid to 750 families in flood-affected areas in Bolivia. Furthermore, their mobile medical clinic treated 904 patients in these vulnerable communities.

You can donate directly to the Samaritan’s Purse through their website. You can also assist the charity by volunteering to provide humanitarian relief to flood victims and other disaster survivors.

The Salvation Army: Doing the Most Good

The Salvation Army was established in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth to preach the gospel and reach out to the impoverished and disadvantaged. Today, they are a global charity responding to disasters and providing practical support to those in need, including those affected by floods.

Emergency Disaster Services

The Salvation Army scores 97 out of 100 for accountability and finance from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.” The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army works with local organizations and federal authorities to provide mobile showers , bottled water, and a clean blanket to those affected by floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters. They also provide temporary shelter and emotional and spiritual care to those in need. In addition, they work with governmental organizations to create long-term disaster recovery plans for communities affected by floods and other natural disasters.

Since their inception, the Salvation Army has assisted an average of 800,000 people affected by floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters every year. For example, in 2021, they supported over 2 million disaster survivors through the 7,219 centers they operate in the US. They also offered medical care to 6,086 people and permanent housing to 32,500 individuals and families , including flood victims. In addition, they distributed over 171 million meals and 13 million tangible items like clothes and furniture to those facing hardship, unexpected crises, and natural disasters. 

You can donate directly to the Salvation Army through their website. You can support the charity by joining their Love Beyond project to support vulnerable families in the US.

Nechama: Jewish Response to Disaster

Nechama was founded in 1993 by Steve Lear to provide direct assistance to victims of natural disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Today, they are a national organization helping communities in the US prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. 

NECHAMA Overview

Nechama scores 100 out of 100 for accountability and finance from Charity Navigator . They also hold a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar .

“We provide comfort and hope to communities by engaging volunteers in disaster recovery work.” Nechama

Nechama provides immediate assistance to families in disaster-affected areas by clearing debris and rebuilding homes destroyed by floods and other disasters. They also help to salvage personal belongings and remove damaged materials from their homes. In addition, they work with individuals and communities to create long-term recovery plans tailored to accommodate their needs. 

Nechama provides recovery and relief services to communities impacted by natural disasters, including floods, in the US. For example, in 2021, they spent nearly 1500 hours of donated labor assessing damage on 69 homes affected by the Michigan floods and completely cleaned 48 houses . Furthermore, in 2019, they spent 35 days helping 10 families by cleaning their houses, which had been affected by floods in Sonoma County in California.

You can donate directly to Nechama through their website. You can also support them by volunteering or by starting a fundraiser to help flood victims.

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that help flood victims. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

  • Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
  • Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
  • Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
  • Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
  • Check the charity’s financials and stats . Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
  • Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

  • Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
  • Buy their official merchandise. The charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
  • Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
  • Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
  • Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to helping flood victims – based on the causes that matter most to you.

Illustration of a signature for Eniola

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan Pallotta

  • World Health Organization: Floods
  • All Hands and Hearts: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: All Hands and Hearts
  • GuideStar: All Hands and Hearts
  • All Hands and Hearts: Our Disaster Relief Program Work
  • All Hands and Hearts: Home Builds
  • All Hands and Hearts: School Builds
  • All Hands and Hearts: Renewal Projects
  • All Hands and Hearts: Kentucky Flood Relief
  • All Hands and Hearts: Donate
  • All Hands and Hearts: Volunteer
  • All Hands and Hearts: Host an Event
  • All Hands and Hearts: Donate to Kentucky Flood Relief
  • Direct Relief: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: Direct Relief
  • GuideStar: Direct Relief
  • Direct Relief: Products with Purpose
  • Direct Relief: Emergency Medical Pack
  • Direct Relief: Cholera Treatment Kit
  • Direct Relief: Oral Rehydration Solution
  • Direct Relief: Hurricane Prep Pack
  • Direct Relief: Donate
  • Direct Relief: Volunteer
  • Direct Relief: Fundraise
  • Americares: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: Americares
  • GuideStar: Americares
  • Americares: Assam Floods
  • Americares: Responding to Hurricane Harvey
  • Americares: Deploying Medical Teams for Indian Floods
  • Americares: A Trusted Charity
  • Americares: 2021 Annual Report
  • Americares: Donate
  • Americares: Work with Us
  • Americares: Medical Outreach
  • International Relief Teams: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: International Relief Teams
  • GuideStar: International Relief Teams
  • International Relief Teams: Overview
  • International Relief Teams: Disaster Response
  • International Relief Teams:
  • Louisana Floods
  • International Relief Teams: 2021 Annual Report
  • International Relief Teams: Donate
  • International Relief Teams: Volunteer Opportunities
  • International Relief Teams: Pakistan Flood 2022
  • Team Rubicon: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: Team Rubicon
  • GuideStar: Team Rubicon
  • Team Rubicon: Capabilities and Services
  • Team Rubicon: Donate
  • Team Rubicon: Roll Call
  • Team Rubicon: Store
  • American Red Cross: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: American Red Cross
  • GuideStar: American Red Cross
  • American Red Cross: Flood Relief
  • American Red Cross: Disaster Relief Services
  • American Red Cross: Midwest Tornadoes and Floods
  • American Red Cross: Online Donations
  • American Red Cross: How to Volunteer
  • American Red Cross: Donate Blood
  • American Red Cross: First Aid Kits, Emergency Essentials, & Survival Kits
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: Samaritan’s Purse
  • GuideStar: Samaritan’s Purse
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Treating Cholera Patients in Syria
  • Samaritan’s Purse: International Crisis Response
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Providing Clean Water for Puerto Rico
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Flood Relief Work Completed in Midland, Michigan
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Flood Response in Bolivia
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Donate
  • Samaritan’s Purse: Bring Relief When Disaster Strikes
  • The Salvation Army: Home Page
  • Charity Navigator: The Salvation Army
  • GuideStar: The Salvation Army
  • The Salvation Army: Disaster Relief
  • The Salvation Army: 2022 Annual Report
  • The Salvation Army: Give
  • The Salvation Army: Video Hub
  • Nechama: Home Page 
  • Charity Navigator: Nechama
  • GuideStar: Nechama
  • Nechama: What We Do
  • Nechama: 2021 Michigan Flood Response
  • Nechama: Donate
  • Nechama: Start a Fundraiser
  • Nechama: Volunteer

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Flood — The Flood: Reflection and Mitigating the Impact

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The Flood: Reflection and Mitigating The Impact

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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The impact of floods, factors contributing to floods, measures to mitigate flood effects.

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help flood victims essay

AngeLink Blog

How to Help Flood Victims: 3 Ways to Aid Flood Relief

Volunteers Giving Out Food at Soup Kitchen

It can be challenging for any individual or family to experience a flood. A flood can cause physical danger and destruction to a household and sometimes an entire community. As a result, many people may deal with housing displacement.

People need to have resources and support after experiencing a flood. Recovering from a flood comes with a high price tag. Forbes reports that the average water restoration cost is $3,300, and the highest is $13,000. And it’s no surprise that people often struggle to pay for the high repair expenses. 

If you want to help flood victims during a time of crisis, then it’s helpful how to raise money for disaster relief.  

How to Help Flood Victims Recover

It’s good to consider how to recover after a flood to help flood victims. They need basic and immediate needs, such as food, water, shelter, clothing, and medical aid. Many flood victims also need financial assistance to rebuild. It can be emotionally draining to go through a flood. Victims also may need emotional support during this trying time. Let’s dive into how you can help flood victims.

1. Start a Flood Relief Fundraiser

One option is to start a flood relief fundraiser . It can be easy to raise money fast with an online fundraiser. You should first find a platform to start your fundraiser on. AngeLink is a reliable and easy platform to create a fundraiser or donate to flood victims. Write your fundraiser story and add photos and videos to help tell a story. 

Consider hosting an in-person or virtual fundraising event to help drive awareness and donations. If you choose to host an in-person fundraiser, it should be an event that brings the community together. For example, you can host a benefit concert with local bands. You can also host a fundraiser walk . These events promote health and wellness and involve your friends, family, and community. 

You can also write a letter asking for donations for flood victims. Keep the letter informational by highlighting details of the flood, how it damaged a home or community, and how you plan on using the funds to help rebuild. Send it to friends, family, local businesses, or post it on your local bulletin board.

Interact with your donors and post updates. You can share your fundraiser through social media and engage with a larger audience. Write a personalized message thanking your donors. For additional help, check out our disaster relief fundraising ideas and fundraising tips . 

2. Volunteer to Help Flood Victims

You can also help flood victims through volunteer work. This work can range from clean-up to offering emotional support. You can also give out supplies, such as water, food, bedding and clothing, or help rebuild homes. There are a handful of different organizations you can look into. Here are a few organizations where you can help clean up, feed victims, coordinate new housing, and more:

  • Operation Blessing 
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • All Hands and Hearts
  • Direct Relief 

3. Donate to Flood Victims

Flood victims must have proper supplies when recovering from flood damage. Flood relief donations are vital. You can offer immediate service to those in need and give back to your community. Floods can also affect low-income groups of people at a higher rate. Your donations make a real difference. Here are some of the most important items you can donate to help flood victims:

  • Mattresses, bedding, pillows
  • Medicine and medical aid
  • First-aid kit
  • Hygiene kits 
  • Bottled water
  • Non-perishable food
  • Clothing and shoes 
  • Portable electronics 

Your Support Can Help Flood Victims Get on the Road to Recovery

It can be tough to recover from the aftermath of a flood. The physical damage is expensive to fix, not to mention that people’s health and well-being are at risk. According to The Urban Institute , on average long-term housing aid can take as long as 20 months to distribute funds to flood victims from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Often, this gap period can result in more devastation for a family. They are unable to pay for their rent and other housing expenses. This can result in housing displacement, which is one of many stressors that can occur. Overall, it’s important to know how to help flood victims. You can start by hosting a fundraiser. Learn how to start a fundraiser today.  

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The social impact of floods: 7 ways to help those affected.

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By Ingrid Coninx

Floods often have a devastating force. This summer, the images of the affected areas in the Netherlands, Belgium, and particularly Germany clearly showed this effect. In addition to the material damage, there is also a social impact. Less visible but longer-lasting. Research shows that those affected are often more heavily burdened by the social impact than by material damages.

What is this social impact? It is the mental impact that affects the victims in their daily lives. The floods alter their way of life, their work and how they interact. This may be a temporary impact, but it may smoulder for a long period after the event.

“A society can be sufficiently resilient for large quantities of water to cause barely any problems. That resilience is lacking and must be fortified to make us better able to face floods.” Ingrid Coninx, Senior Expert Policy and Engagement in Climate Change Adaptation Share this quote:

Breaking through the social impact pattern together

Analysis of the aftermath of the floods in Eastern Europe* shows a repeated pattern of social impact. This is a pattern I now also see in many news items from, for example, Belgium. Heartbreaking. Particularly because the ‘flood risk does not necessarily have to lead to disaster and suffering’, according to prof. Kelman of the University College London and other disaster researchers. A society can be sufficiently resilient for large quantities of water to cause barely any problems. That resilience is lacking and must be fortified to make us better able to face floods.

The social impact develops according to the following pattern: people suffer damage to their homes and possessions during a flood. Some may fall, injure themselves, catch a cold or get sick. In exceptional cases, they may even die. During or before the flood, people are temporarily (sometimes forcibly) displaced. If the homes are damaged beyond repair, their displacement may be permanent, which means the inhabitants do not return to their neighbourhood. Some neighbourhoods deteriorate. The social cohesion and population distribution is altered. The people blame the authorities for the squalor.

help flood victims essay

Flanders lacks a government policy on how residents may protect their houses from flood damage. Photo: flooded streets in Wilsele, Vlaams-Brabant, after the floods of July 2021 (Thierry Hebbelinck / Shutterstock.com).

If residents stay in or return to their original homes, they frequently have trouble finding food and water and they lack electricity, clean water and so forth. Their house no longer feels like a safe home. There is a multitude of organisations to deal with for insurance and administration—quite a challenge, especially if there is no electricity. The stress, worry, and fear in this new situation have a severe mental impact. And some, who have insufficient savings, may suffer financial issues as well, temporarily or even permanently. The pressure on the community may be considerable. Some people draw closer to one another and become a close-knit team. Others may argue and experience severe dissatisfaction. This, too, often causes them to feel angry at the authorities.

The social impact is not felt equally by all. Some are more vulnerable and have more trouble adjusting to the consequences. People with limited financial resources, such as the elderly and those who are movement-impaired, migrants with a limited command of the language and social network, and people who live in outdated houses. These vulnerable groups need extra attention to ensure they too are able to properly recover from a flood. As dictated by the European adaptation strategy: no one left behind.

7 ways to mitigate social impact and increase resilience

How can we apply these insights to social impact? We can use these insights to help affected people in processing and recovering. And, we can use these insights to improve our disaster and climate policy to make society more resilient.

1. People protect their home: technical interventions, risk and crisis communications

Prof. Green of the Flood Hazard Research Centre at Middlesex University states: ‘Homes function as a lens that amplify social impact.’ The pattern of social impact may be broken if homes are damaged as little as possible. The Flemish flood policy focuses on mitigating flood damage to houses. But some risks still remain through extreme and very rare occurrences that cause damage to houses. Flanders currently has very little in the way of policies to help inhabitants protect their homes from flood damage.

Action: The first method is to raise awareness on how people can protect themselves. It is essential this happens long before the flooding. Construction engineers can provide innovative solutions tailored to homes in the danger zone. Spatial planners may integrate nature-based solutions: where can water be stored? And, water experts may help determine where water may flow through a city or town. There are still many options to mitigate damage that can be implemented, such as locking systems for doors and windows and mobile dykes. And, if water does enter the house, water-resistant materials on the downstairs floors, keeping valuables on the higher floors in waterproof crates and keeping an emergency stock of fresh drinking water, food and other essentials. Crisis communication is of the essence to help residents protect their homes. In Australia, where I currently reside, we are reminded at the onset of every hurricane season to ready an emergency supply for the first days after a hurricane.

2. Practical assistance: skilled professionals, cleaners, food, beverages and sanitation

People often have trouble getting their basic needs met immediately after a flood. They have no access to (drinking) water, electricity, food, phone or sanitation. Many call on family and friends who have not been affected by the flood (informal aid). Relief organisations (formal aid) and volunteers (partially informal aid) also play an essential role. Cleaning houses is far from easy. Not everyone finds the courage or has the skill and equipment for this job. Houses may remain humid for a long time, causing an unpleasant environment. Skilled professionals are often overburdened, and there are long waiting lists.

Action : The affected people benefit from readily available practical help, especially from skilled professionals and cleaners. As long as cleaning and repairing are still going on, the community must be provided with (warm) meals and beverages and sanitation for personal hygiene purposes.

3. Administrative assistance: submitting claims and other administration

Research shows that people who have insurance are often more stressed and experience difficulties in negotiating with the insurance company. Especially when a large number of people submit claims at the same time, it can take a long time before damages are paid. Sometimes the insurance company will not pay an advance or reimburse the expenses of temporary lodgings. Additionally, other administrative issues must be handled, for example, concerning employment. If loved ones have died in the flood, these procedures may also cause stress.

Action : Simplifying the administrative procedures and providing support may help ease this stress.

4. Support and financial assistance for the impoverished

People may experience a loss of income as a result of a flood. They are unable to work while they clean and rebuild their homes. Moreover, their place of employment may be affected, which means work and income stop entirely. Insurance companies seldomly reimburse the full value of possessions, which means that people are forced to use their savings to replace the items they lost. Those with insufficient savings may fall into poverty. Entire neighbourhoods may deteriorate as a result.

Action : It is essential that people are helped in this time of financial worry. Adequate response from banks and governments can help prevent many from descending into poverty.

5. Medical treatment and psychological support

During and after a flood, people may become injured or sick. Physical effects ranging from injury, shock and heart problems to skin problems and flu may occur.

However, flood victims indicate that the mental issues are much more severe than the physical problems they experience. A flood, evacuation and rebuilding have an enormous mental impact. Feelings of fear, helplessness, depression, anger, mood swings, flashbacks, panic attacks, insomnia, loss of concentration, suicidal thoughts and increased alcohol or drug abuse may result. These problems may persist for weeks or months after the flood. Even those that were evacuated but whose house remained unaffected can suffer from mental problems. An evacuation notice may cause a reaction of great panic, with long-term effects.

Proper evacuation notices state how much time the receiver has before the house is expected to flood. Moreover, it should provide information on what state the house is to be left in, where to find the evacuation centre and how long the residents are expected to be away from home.

help flood victims essay

Even those that have been evacuated while their home was spared by the flood may experience mental issues. Photo: residents of Bergen, Dutch-Limburg, being evacuated after the floods of July 2021 (Brita Seifert / Shutterstock.com).

There are those that do not experience mental problems. But some who do may even develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that requires treatment if the patient is to be able to function normally again. The greater the damage, the longer rebuilding takes, the greater the mental issues. And, let’s not forget the impact on many relief workers. Medical help and specialised mental support are needed, not just immediately after the floods but for an extended period.

Action : People benefit from extended medical support for both physical and mental issues.

6. Recovery as a community: sharing stories

Damage to their houses robs people of their feelings of safety and security. They become uncertain, restless and fearful. Mental issues may impact relationships, and the sense of community may change as a result of the members’ experiences after a flood. Sometimes, people may feel more committed to each other. But they may also distance themselves, resulting in a decline in the sense of community. There is no longer a shared sense of support. Moreover, people may not return to their original homes, or there may be tension between those that were impacted by the flood and those that were spared. This may give rise to feelings of unfairness.

Action : Organising meetings within the affected communities is recommended. Such meetings offer those affected an opportunity to meet, share emotions and support the joint processing of the trauma.

7. Include residents in the rebuilding and listen to their experiences: #buildingbackbetter

People seek a scapegoat after a disaster. This was also the case in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. People are angry at the authorities and feel they are not offered the support they need. Many take measures to protect themselves from a new flood. Trust in the authorities may be restored if the government brings people together and listens to their experiences and needs.

Action : It is essential to learn from the residents’ experiences and use their knowledge and insights to rebuild homes and a more resilient community.

Crisis within a crisis

These are exceptional circumstances, as this flood occurs during the COVID-19 crisis that started in March 2020. It is a crisis within a crisis. People have already had to display a great deal of resilience, and the question is how much more they can take to overcome this disaster. They evidently need help.

These seven ways to mitigate social impact are designed to contribute to a dialogue between policymakers, scientists, civic organisations, businesses and civilians in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. This dialogue should lead to a joint approach to increasing society’s resilience to extreme events. Together, we must make society more resilient towards new extreme occurrences. There is no time to lose.

More information:

Those wanting to learn more about how just resilience can be implemented in practice may contact Ingrid Coninx . Ingrid is currently leading a project in this field.

No related posts.

Ingrid Coninx is Flemish and holds a master’s degree in Political Sciences from KU Leuven and a master’s degree in Environmental Policy from Wageningen University. Ingrid started her career as a researcher on social flood impact at HIVA (KU Leuven). She was charged with developing a social impact method for floods*. To this end, she conducted a comparative study on the aftermaths of floods in West-European countries. This blog is based on these studies. For her PhD, she studied the Flemish flood policy. In 2009 Ingrid took on the position of researcher and project manager climate adaptation at Wageningen Environmental Research. ‘To face climate change, we must utilise all our options to increase our resilience’, says Ingrid. She aims to support policymakers with the best available knowledge to formulate and implement adaptation strategies and actions. And she motivates people and organisations to face the climate challenge.

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  • Paragraph Writing
  • Paragraph On Flood

Paragraph on Flood - Check Samples for 100, 150, 200, 250 Words

Floods are a type of natural disaster that can cause heavy destruction to life and property. It is a condition when rainwater accumulates at a place, flooding populated areas. They can also lead to the loss of numerous lives. At times, it can be highly dangerous and can wipe off an entire village or city.

Table of Contents

Paragraph on flood in 100 words, paragraph on flood in 150 words, paragraph on flood in 200 words, paragraph on flood in 250 words, frequently asked questions on flood.

It is impossible to stop a natural disaster, but the effects of the disaster can be reduced. The government has been taking major steps to reduce the effects of such disasters and save many lives. Before you write a paragraph on floods and their effects, you can refer to the samples provided below.

A flood is a condition when an area is fully or partially submerged in water for a period of time due to man-made or natural causes. The natural reasons behind floods can be heavy and continuous rain for an extended time period. Dam bursts or breaking of dam gates can be a man-made reason for a flood to occur. Floods can be highly dangerous at times because they may lead to loss of lives and property, and at certain places, it also leads to landslides. One cannot stop floods, but they can be avoided by constructing dams. One can definitely reduce the effects of floods and can reduce the damage caused by floods. Planting more trees in flood-prone areas and constructing dams might be helpful in controlling the adverse effects of floods.

A flood is a type of natural disaster that can be caused due to heavy and continuous rainfall at a place for a long time. Heavy rain, cyclones, storms, etc., can lead to flooding in an area. The water reserves are filled due to rain, and when it rains for a long time continuously, the overflow of water in water reserves may cause flooding.

Some parts of India are prone to flooding during the monsoon, causing large-scale destruction to human lives, natural habitats, etc. But in some places, floods can occur due to man-made disasters and cause loss of property and human lives. Breaking the dam’s gates can be a major reason behind man-made disasters. Due to these floods, the flood water accumulates in the agricultural fields, damaging crops. It can lead to starvation and more deaths. Many farmers have been committing suicide due to the loss. Floods are dangerous to human lives as well as the economy of the country. Therefore, it is essential to take necessary measures to limit the effects of floods.

A flood is a condition when an area is fully or partially submerged in water for a few days leading to hazardous diseases and loss of lives and property. Floods can be dangerous to factories, buildings, cities, hospitals, etc. Deforestation has been causing many hazards to the environment, and floods are one of these disasters. The rainwater is absorbed by the trees, and they act as natural barriers preventing soil erosion and landslides. Floods occur mostly in the rainy season in flood-prone areas, and the water levels may vary in such places. Naturally, floods can occur when it rains heavily for an extended period of time, and the water reserves are filled, causing an overflow of water. The breakage of dams can also cause floods and can lead to hazardous damage to lives and the environment. Floods can cause heavy loss of life and property and can also affect the agricultural system of the country, hence leading to starvation. It brings huge losses to public and private properties, affecting the country’s economy. At times, the revival also takes a lot of time. When the effects of floods are highly severe, it might take years to recover the physical damages. Almost every year, the country goes through such natural disasters leading to great loss and damage.

One of the major reasons for floods is heavy rain. Due to heavy rain, water levels in rivers and lakes are expected to rise. As the rainwater rises over the banks of rivers, it overflows and causes floods. With the increasing global warming, it is also possible that there might be floods due to the massive melting of snow. If global warming increases, with the rise in temperature, the ice might melt faster, leading to floods in various parts of the country. Floods pose a threat to factories, buildings, cities, hospitals, etc. Deforestation has resulted in a variety of environmental risks, one of which is flooding. Rainwater was absorbed by the trees, limiting the amount of water stored at a location. Floods are most common during the monsoon season in flood-prone areas, and water levels can fluctuate. During the monsoon season, floods are widespread in several places in India. It has a large-scale impact on human life and property. Houses are submerged in water, making day-to-day life difficult. Water also floods vast swaths of agricultural areas, wreaking havoc on crops and undermining the economy. A flood is a natural occurrence that has no benefits and is always a cause of loss. It is impossible to stop a natural disaster from occurring, but we can always limit the effects of the disasters. We can always take necessary measures to reduce the damage caused by it. Floods can leave adverse effects around the world, and at times, the revival of the damages may take years.

What is meant by flood?

A flood is a type of natural disaster that can leave adverse effects on the environment. During floods, an area is fully or partially submerged in water due to heavy rain or an overflow of dams and rivers.

What can be the effects of floods?

Floods can have adverse effects on the environment. It causes loss of public and private property, loss of lives, starvation and hunger, etc.

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127 Flood Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Floods are natural disasters that can have devastating effects on communities and ecosystems. They can cause widespread destruction, displacement of people, and loss of life. Writing an essay on flood-related topics can help raise awareness about the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such disasters. Here are 127 flood essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing:

  • The impact of floods on agriculture and food security
  • The role of climate change in increasing the frequency and intensity of floods
  • How urbanization and deforestation contribute to flooding
  • The social and economic costs of flood disasters
  • The psychological effects of experiencing a flood
  • The importance of early warning systems in flood preparedness
  • How communities can build resilience to floods
  • The role of government in mitigating flood risks
  • The intersection of race, class, and vulnerability in flood disasters
  • A comparative analysis of flood management strategies in different countries
  • The ethical implications of rebuilding in flood-prone areas
  • The impact of floods on wildlife and ecosystems
  • The challenges of providing aid and relief after a flood
  • The role of technology in predicting and monitoring floods
  • The relationship between floods and water pollution
  • The long-term effects of flooding on infrastructure
  • The cultural significance of floods in different societies
  • The role of insurance in mitigating the financial impact of floods
  • The health risks associated with flooding
  • The impact of floods on tourism and local economies
  • The role of NGOs in disaster response and recovery after a flood
  • The connection between floods and water scarcity
  • The impact of floods on education and school infrastructure
  • The role of community-based organizations in flood preparedness
  • The impact of floods on mental health
  • The effectiveness of flood protection measures such as levees and dams
  • The ethical dilemmas of prioritizing resources in flood response
  • The impact of floods on vulnerable populations such as the elderly and disabled
  • The relationship between floods and infectious diseases
  • The impact of floods on transportation and mobility
  • The role of media in shaping public perceptions of floods
  • The impact of floods on small businesses and entrepreneurship
  • The challenges of rebuilding after a flood
  • The impact of floods on water quality and sanitation
  • The role of education in increasing awareness about flood risks
  • The impact of floods on cultural heritage sites
  • The connection between floods and climate refugees
  • The impact of floods on mental health in children
  • The role of community engagement in flood preparedness
  • The impact of floods on gender dynamics and women's empowerment
  • The relationship between floods and humanitarian crises
  • The impact of floods on energy infrastructure
  • The role of faith-based organizations in flood response and recovery
  • The impact of floods on indigenous communities
  • The effectiveness of early warning systems in reducing flood casualties
  • The impact of floods on housing and homelessness
  • The role of international aid in responding to flood disasters
  • The impact of floods on waterborne diseases
  • The relationship between floods and food insecurity
  • The impact of floods on mental health in first responders
  • The role of social media in disaster communication during floods
  • The impact of floods on air quality and respiratory health
  • The connection between floods and environmental justice
  • The impact of floods on mental health in displaced populations
  • The role of community-based adaptation in flood resilience
  • The impact of floods on educational attainment and school performance
  • The relationship between floods and conflict and violence
  • The impact of floods on access to healthcare and medical services
  • The role of local government in flood preparedness and response
  • The impact of floods on water scarcity and drought
  • The connection between floods and food waste
  • The impact of floods on social cohesion and community resilience
  • The role of art and storytelling in documenting flood experiences
  • The impact of floods on wildlife conservation and biodiversity
  • The relationship between floods and mental health stigma
  • The impact of floods on infrastructure and public services
  • The role of technology in connecting flood survivors with resources
  • The impact of floods on cultural traditions and practices
  • The connection between floods and displacement and migration
  • The impact of floods on access to clean water and sanitation
  • The role of youth in advocating for flood resilience and preparedness
  • The impact of floods on LGBTQ+ communities and mental health
  • The relationship between floods and poverty and inequality
  • The impact of floods on access to education and learning opportunities
  • The role of faith and spirituality in coping with flood trauma
  • The impact of floods on mental health in older adults

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Essay on Flood

List of essays on flood in english, essay on flood – essay 1 (150 words), essay on flood: reasons, effects and conclusion – essay 2 (250 words), essay on flood in india – essay 3 (300 words), essay on flood: causes, consequences and prevention – essay 4 (400 words), essay on flood: types, causes and adverse effects – essay 5 (500 words), essay on flood: with causes, mitigating steps and warning system – essay 6 (600 words), essay on flood: with causes – essay 7 (750 words), essay on flood in india – essay 8 (1000 words).

Introduction:

Flood, simply put is an overflow of water from several sources. The nature of the world is to have dry land and water. When water gets on dry land in large quantity flood is said to have occurred.

Causes of Flood:

There are several events that can lead to a flood.

A few of them are highlighted below:

1. Heavy rain pours.

2. Melting ice and snow.

3. Rising sea levels and the overflowing river.

4. Bad drainage systems.

How Flood Affects our Environment:

A flood is by far a negative occurrence. Heavy flooding can have a damaging effect on our environment and the infrastructures in it. First, they can destroy houses and make them inhabitable. Also, they can remove sand from farmland making it difficult to grow crops. Aside from the above, flooding also contaminates clean water causing diseases and ailments.

Conclusion:

Governments around the world can reduce the risk of flooding by building a solid drainage system. We as individuals could also help by stopping drainage blockage.

Any dry land filled by excess water is called flood. It is a natural calamity caused due to several factors.

Reasons for Flood:

The reasons for floods can be natural and unnatural caused due to human activities. When there is excessive rainfall in river banks and coastal areas, there is an increase in water level which leads to overflow of water into the nearby dry land. Also, natural calamities like earthquakes cause Tsunami in oceans which leads to flooding of lands close to beaches. In heavily populated cities, due to congested buildings and roadways, flooding happens as there is not enough room for water to drain. In such cases clogged drainages lead to even more flooding of the area.

Global warming has resulted in the melting of glaciers which increase water levels of rivers and flooding of river banks. Deforestation also plays a major role in flooding.

Effects of Flood:

Floods cause large scale destruction to life and property. Buildings, roads and bridges are heavily damaged. Vast acres of crops are destroyed. Arable lands turn barren and clogged with salts. Countless homes and cattle get washed away. All electronic and digital communication seizes. Many lives are lost. And it does not stop there. Post flood, there is a huge risk in the spreading of water borne diseases. Scarcity of food and basic necessities arises. On the whole, floods cause multiple hardships and turn the livelihood of affected people upside-down.

Effective weather forecasting systems are to be maintained by the Government for timely intimation and evacuation of flood prone areas which will greatly help in keeping the many losses due to floods in check.

Flood is a natural disaster that involves overflowing of water over a region of land that is dry under usual conditions. It submerges the area with water. They are the most common kind of weather-related disasters and are a costly hazard. The level of flood can vary a lot – from a few inches to a level that goes up to meters high like a roof level of a house.

The causes of floods are many. They can happen during heavy rains when the drainage system is unable to handle the amount of rain fall. It can also happen even if low levels of rain occur continuously for many days. Floods can occur when the snow melts as temperature changes and it can result in bulk movement of water in the plains. Rivers can overflow sometimes and create flood in the neighboring regions. They can also be a result of breaking of dam which can flood the nearby areas.

There has been increase in the frequency of floods recently. Because of global warming, the average temperature of sea has increased significantly. This has led to higher rate of tropical storms in the Caribbean. It is also responsible for increase in sea level because of melting of ice caps and glaciers.

Floods cause large-scale loss to life and great damage to properties. Floods cause severe damage to agricultural regions of the affected area. There is loss of life of humans as well as animals. People and the government both suffer from loss in financial terms. Re-building of affected areas takes a lot of time and money.

In India, there are many regions which are affected by floods. Some of these are the Gangetic plains, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, Brahmaputra valley and South Gujarat. Within this year, more than 70 lakh people were affected by floods in India.

Flood is one of the recurring natural disasters which is an outcome of above average rainfall and accumulation of excessive water in every living area. Floods may occur due to overflow of water from the reservoirs or due to heavy down pour of rain in places where the drainage systems are not properly maintained.

Water may look so harmless and peaceful until the large quantities termed Floods harms us.

Common Causes of Flood:

Some of the common causes of Flooding are Heavy Rains, Overflowing Rains, Broken Dams, Urban Drainage Basins, Storm Surges & Tsunami’s, Channels with steep sides, lack of vegetation and melting of snow and Ice. Although the causes of floods are varied, most of the causes can be managed if not prevented.

Global Warming and Floods:

Another primary factor of Flood is increase in the atmospheric temperature i.e., Global Warming. Heating up of earth’s surface can lead to melting of ice glaciers and ice caps which leads to the rise in sea level thereby leading to overflowing floods in the coastal regions. Global Warming brings instability in the climatic condition of the earth, where one part of the world experiences floods and the other goes through drought.

Consequences of Flood:

Floods mostly disrupt the normalcy of living things on the planet. Floods are a great threat to the living things; floods also make way for mosquitoes to thrive thereby leading to all communicable diseases such as malaria, Dengue etc. Another impact of floods is loss of drinking water . Floods also lead to power cuts, damage of crops and soil erosion. Floods can also have an economic backslide, thus putting the country at risk.

Preventing Floods:

Some of the measures that can be done to prevent Floods are:

i. To ensure the meteorological departments are well equipped to provide flood warnings to the indicated zones.

ii. Flood resilient homes with efficiency to waterproof homes and moving electric sockets which moves higher as the flood rises.

iii. Protecting wetlands and planting trees systematically can help alleviate the direct floods.

iv. Stop encroaching of river beds and allowing the rivers to take its natural course can drastically bring down floods.

Floods can be scary, but it is in the hands of human beings to ensure it doesn’t impact our daily life. Water storing areas such as ponds, lakes and other water reservoirs should be maintained. Floods can be avoided by improving the soil conditions thereby allowing easy water absorption. Flood barriers can be used as a defense during Flood crisis.

Floods can either occur naturally or they can be facilitated by environmental factors that destruct the flow of water. Flood incidences have increased due to global warming. Global warming is an adverse effect of environmental pollution that causes a rise in temperatures on the earth’s surface. Global warming is associated with intense climatic changes like heavy storms, snowing and raised sea water levels. These changes in climate contribute to flooding. A flood is the spilling of water on dry land surfaces and causes it to submerge. It occurs when water overflows from the water bodies beyond its usual boundaries. Floods are destructive to the environment.

Types of Floods:

There are three main types of floods. Surge floods are floods that occur in the coast regions due to surges and tidal changes that occur in the sea or ocean. Hurricanes and storm surges on the sea or ocean can cause minor, moderate or major floods. The extent or severity of the floods are determined by the strength, size, speed and directions of the surges. Surge flood are usually severe and massively destructive.

Another type of floods is fluvial floods that occurs due to overflow of rivers. Rivers overflow due to heavy rains that increase water levels in rivers beyond its capacity therefore resulting in floods. Heavy snowing can also cause fluvial floods when the ice melts. Fluvial floods are risky when dams are involved because the increased levels of water in rivers creates immense pressure that cause increase pressure on the walls of dams and cause breakage which results in excessive flooding and environmental destruction.

The other type of floods is pluvial floods. Pluvial floods are caused by surface water as a result of heavy rainfall. Pluvial floods are destructive because they disrupt the drainage systems and cause an overflow which affects structures. Pluvial flooding occurs together with surge floods and fluvial floods. Although pluvial flooding does not involve a lot of water, it causes massive destruction of the environment and the infrastructure.

Causes of Floods:

Floods occur naturally due to some environmental factors. Heavy rains can cause an overflow of water form water bodies. Breakage of water body boundaries like riverbanks or walls of dams. Catastrophes like tsunamis and surges in storms cause heavy flooding. During heavy rains the lack of vegetation on the surface of the earth.

Adverse Effects of Floods:

Foods are destructive in nature and have negative impacts on the environment and the ecosystem. Floods cause death of living things and humans. Destruction of property and infrastructure negatively affects the economy of the region affected and economic activities are at a standstill due to disrupted livelihoods. Migrations from areas that are prone to floods is common, which results in overpopulation in urban areas. Financial constraints are experienced due to the rehabilitations from flood destructions. Prevention of floods that result from natural causes is a challenge.

In conclusion, it is evident that floods are destructive. The adverse effects of floods affects normal livelihood and the environment.

Flood is one of the natural calamities which is known to wreck a lot of havoc. There are so many different instances wherein floods are known to damage the whole area and bring massive loss of life and property as well.

Let us check further into the possible causes of flood and how we can eradicate it too.

The Causes of Flood:

Of course, there can be a lot of different cases of floods. Some of the key ones among them are as follows.

Heavy rains: owing to climate changes, many a times, it so happen that it rains torrentially. If the rain is much above normal, it can lead to flooding.

Broken dams: Dams help in keeping the water level in check. If the dams get broken sometimes, it is likely to lead to flood.

Tsunami: Natural calamities like tsunami is likely to create problems of flood and can bring massive loss of life and property.

Global warming: Owing to the increase in global temperature, the ice cap is melting and the increased level of water in the river bed is going to cause a flood.

Of course, there can be a lot of other reasons too which leads to flood and it is important to keep an eye on the water levels to issue a warning well in time.

The Mitigating Steps:

Now that we know the key causes which leads to flood, let us focus on some of the best mitigation measures which you can take to steer clear of this problem.

Flood Warning System:

This is by far the most important thing which one needs to do. It is important to have a sound flood warning system in place. When you have a dedicated system, it can help warn people who can move to higher altitude or take the right steps.

Restore Rivers to their Natural Courses:

Owing to the excessive development work which we have been carried out and harming the environment, too many rivers have diverted from their natural courses. This is another important reason for excessive flood. So, the right thing to do is to help in restoring the rivers to their natural course as it may prevent flood.

The Global Warming Remedial:

Action must be taken to cure the problem of global warming as it is definitely the cause of too many natural disasters. By choosing to cut the level of air and water pollution and minimizing the use of non bio-degradable products, we may be able to directly or indirectly help in controlling the problem of flood and its aftermath.

Modern Day Construction:

While flood is a natural calamity which may sometime come unannounced, it is important that we construct buildings in accordance with the modern technical advancements. The buildings should be so made that they are above the flood levels and they should be sturdy enough to withstand flood as well.

So, these are some of the important points which you should keep in mind. While some of them are ways by which we can prevent the implication and aftermath of flood, a few of them would help in preventing its occurrence as well.

Whenever any calamity occurs, it is important to do your bit to create awareness. The kind of destruction which can happen is whopping. By knowing about it a little ahead of time helps people be better prepared for it.

The bottom line remains the fact that we should all try and minimize the negative impact we are having on the environment. Doing this will ensure that we will be able to curtail the frequency of natural disasters like flood.

Flood is simply defined as the overflow of a very huge quantity of water that covers a very large area of land and leads to the destruction of land and properties and sometimes lives in the areas that are affected. A lot of regions in the world experience flooding every year. A flood basically occurs when there is excessive rain and there is no proper or good drainage system. The amount of flood is different from place to place and the extent of destruction also varies. For the overflow of water to be classified as flood, the area of land affected has to be mostly dry. Flooding can also happen as a result of water overflowing from bodies of water like lakes, oceans and rivers. Floods cause mass destruction. The effects and destruction caused by flood can take many years to fix and repair.

There are a lot of causes of flood; a few of them are discussed below:

1. Heavy Rains:

As discussed earlier, flood is mostly caused by an extended period of rain. This can happen if the quantity of rainfall is a lot more than the capacity of the drainage system. Flood can also be a result of high intensity rainfall in a short period of time.

2. Snow Melting:

Mountains that were covered with snow in the season of winter start to melt once temperature begins to rise. The sudden rise of the temperature causes the snow to melt and this leads to the massive movement of a lot of water to the plains and lands around. If the area receiving the water does not have a proper and good drainage system that will help in getting rid of the large quantity of water, there is going to be flooding. Flood that is caused by snow melting is also called a snowmelt flood.

3. Dam Breaking:

Dams are constructed to be able to hold the water that is flowing downwards from an area of land that is higher. The energy of the water can be used to turn and power propellers that can be used for the generation and creation of electricity. The dam can sometimes break when they can’t hold a large quantity of water and this causes the areas nearby to experience flooding. Sometimes, excessive water can be released intentionally by the dam to stop the dam from breaking which also results in flood but the flood from the intentional release of water isn’t as harsh as that from the dam breaking.

4. Water Bodies Overflowing:

Rivers and other water bodies can overflow sometimes and this leads to a situation that is flood like in the areas nearby. The areas that are low lying and are near the water body are the ones that are affected the most during the periods of water overflowing downstream.

5. Coastal Region Winds:

Hurricanes and very strong winds have the ability to carry sea water into coastal lands that are dry and this is a serious cause of flood. The coastal regions can experience severe damage and destruction. Tsunamis and hurricanes are widely known causes of serious devastation to areas of coastal lands.

Apart from all of the causes of flood discussed above, it is very important to note that the major cause of flood is global warming. The frequency and rate of flood has drastically increased recently. Researchers have said that the average temperature of the sea has wildly increased because of global warming and it has led to the increased sternness and rate of storms that are tropical in and around the Caribbean. The storms are said to have caused the countries in the region experiencing heavy rainfall. Global warming causes an increase in the atmosphere’s temperature and also causes the ice caps and glaciers to melt which in turn causes flood in a lot of regions. Global warming is believed to have a very major effect on the ice caps at the poles and it is believed that the situation is only going to get worse with time.

Overall, the climatic conditions of the earth have gone through a lot of very major changes and it is believed that global warming is the main cause of all of the change. It is believed that global warming is the reason why there is extreme drought in some places and serious flood in other places. Even though there isn’t much we can do about the glaciers melting or rain, we can do our part by building very good and reliable drainage systems that can handle water.

What is a flood? In normal terms, the excess availability of water in a region then it can usually hold is called flood. Floods are usually heard of it in news and through channels as every year, large portions of India are drastically affected by floods. It is mainly during the monsoon season with the onset of rain, we hear of different floods and the havoc they have caused to humans, animals and plant life. It is, therefore; very important to understand what floods are all about?

Types of Floods and their Causes:

Flood is not just the excess rainfall we talk about. There is a lot more to it. For instance, there are Flash Floods in which there is a sudden heavy downpour due to a cloudburst and the entire area is flooded within minutes. In India, areas in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand witness occurrence of flash flood every year. Similarly, we have river floods in which the areas around a river are flooded due to the swelling of the river. Some parts in Delhi witness river flood every year due to the overflowing of the river Yamuna due to excessive rains and the excess flow of water from the Hathnikund Dam. Another type of floods is the inland flooding . In the case of inland flooding, the area witnessing a rainfall get flooded with the roads and lanes all filled with water. This happens usually when proper drainage system is not in place or is inefficient due to severe blockages which obstruct the flow of water and leading to flooding of lanes and roads in the city. Again, Delhi and Mumbai are cities which see such floods even after an hour of continuous rainfall. People living in coastal areas are prone to coastal floods . These floods are usually caused by high tides or Tsunami which bring huge volumes of water on the land thereby flooding it. Another reason for coastal floods is global warming due which the rise in sea level temperatures has led to the subsequent rise in water level in coastal areas. Coastal areas of Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Orissa witness such floods every year.

Deadliest Floods in Indian History:

India witness floods every year in different states. In fact, some regions are sure to be flooded with the onset of monsoon season. However, there have been occurrences of the flood which have caused massive destruction and hence are termed as the deadliest floods. Hence there is a need to know about them so as to understand and analyse what can be done in order to minimise such destruction in future years.

Deadly floods are a common occurrence in India after every few years. One of the deadliest floods in recent times was the flood in Gujarat in the year 1979 in the Machhu Dam-II. The Machhu Dam-II flopped on Aug. 11, 1979, discharging the full power of the Macchu River on the town of Morbi. The flood thus created in western India caused somewhere around 1,335 deaths, as per the Press Trust of India at the time.

Another of the deadliest floods in India is the one that shook Bihar in the year 1987 in the Kosi River. In any case, the Kosi River is prone to floods and is flooded almost every year. However, this year was particularly exceptional. The most decimating surge in Bihar’s history happened in 1987, when an avalanche obstructed the Bhote Kosi River, making it surge and crush more than 1.7 million homes. As per the statistics of the state, government flooding led to the death of 1,399 individuals and 5,302 animals.

The Tsunami that struck coastal India in the year 2004 was another such disaster which engulfed a number of lives. An extent 9.0 quake under the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26, 2004, set off a tidal wave that crushed southern India. As per the Government statistics 10,749 individuals died, 5,640 went missing and 2.79 million people were affected by the wave. It likewise devastated 11,827 hectares of products and demolished the occupation of 300,000 fishermen.

The Recent Kerala and Kedarnath Floods:

The most noticeably bad climate-related floods in India’s history happened in June 2013, when a few days of overwhelming precipitation activated blaze surges and avalanches in the northern territory of Uttarakhand. The downpour struck amid the bustling visitor season in Uttarakhand when a huge number of Hindu pilgrims rush to the region to visit its memorable sanctuaries. The rain happened some time before the start of rainstorm season, getting numerous off guard. An expected 4,094 individuals died and about 1 million were influenced by the catastrophe in Uttarakhand and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, the worst affected being the region around Kedarnath. The military was brought in to evacuate around 100,000 people from rocky parts of the state, where they had turned out to be caught by the avalanches.

The recent floods in Kerala are another perfect example of how human activities have led to calling of nature’s ire in different forms such as floods. Had it there been a proper drainage system with no blockages, Kerala would not have witnessed such a massive flood.

The Need for Action:

We must not forget that older civilisations emerged around rivers and seas only and they just vanished with time due to the ever-rising water level on the earth. With the recent back to back occurrences in Kedarnath and Kerala, it is high time the Government as well all of us sit down and think what harm we have done to nature. The blooming of industrial units with no waste management in place, the inefficient drainage system and the careless attitude of both the Government and the people are all collectively responsible for these disasters. Not all disasters can be avoided, but, at least measures can be taken to minimise their impact or at least the ones caused by own carelessness can surely be avoided. It is for own good and for the benefit of future generations that we all do our bit to protect the life on earth from the backlash of nature.

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14 initiatives you can support to help flood victims in Malaysia

Danial Martinus

Over the last three days, Malaysia has been battered with continuous rainfall, with one senior government official calling it a one-in-a-100-year heavy rainfall.

Considering this sudden event, it's no surprise that many states across Peninsular Malaysia were inundated with flash floods, destroying homes and displacing thousands of people.

help flood victims essay

Flood waters in Shah Alam. IMAGE: Reuters / The Straits Times

The hardest hit place of all is Selangor, which also happens to be the country's most populous state. There, people have been stranded on major highways, sometimes for hours on end, with little to no sign of improvement.

While the Malaysian government has despatched armed forces and additional police personnel to assist with evacuation efforts, critics say it's too little too late, considering the anaemic response by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri following repeated calls for help on social media .

help flood victims essay

IMAGE: EPA-EFE / The Straits Times

And as a result of this turtle-pace response, the Malaysian people have banded together to help each other out, with or without government assistance.

If you want to help out the flood victims, here are some initiatives you can support now.

1. malaysian relief agency (mra)..

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) (@malaysianreliefagency.official)

Account Number: 8600059478

Account Name: Malaysian Relief Agency Foundation

Reference: Banjir

Tax relief is provided for contributions of RM200 or more.

2. The Hope Branch.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Hope Branch Community (@thehopebranch.my)

Bank: Maybank

Account Number: 564892140932

Account Name: Pertubuhan Harapan Amal Harith Iskander

Reference: Flood Support

You may also contact +60197093103 to arrange for the handover of necessities you wish to donate, like potable water, hygiene kits, diapers, food, etc.

3. Happy Bank Crew.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Happy Bank (@happybankcrew)

Account Number: 568621000906

Account Name: Happy Crew Project

4. Impactive Malaysia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Khairul Jamain (@khairuljamain)

Account Number: 562263567502

Account Name: Impactive Malaysia

Reference: Bantuan Banjir

5. MY Hope Hero.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MY Hope Hero (@myhopehero)

Account Number: 564810524226

Account Name: Pertubuhan Wira Kemanusiaan Untuk Insan Malaysia

Reference: Hero Rescue

6. IMARET Malaysia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by IMAM Response & Relief Team (@imaret_my)

Account Number: 8600703709

Account Name: Persatuan Perubatan Islam Malaysia

Reference: Flood Relief

7. We Listen Malaysia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by WeListenMY (@welistenmy)

Account Number: 552189537243

Account Name: We Listen Malaysia Organisation

Reference: Banjir Kilat

8. Women:girls X Groove Grocer.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by WOMEN:girls (@womengirls)

Click here to fill in a form that will help you (or someone else) get their necessary essentials during this trying time.

9. Human Aid Selangor.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Human Aid Selangor (@humanaid.my)

Account Number: 8008389590

Account Name: Pertubuhan Amal & Kemanusiaan Selangor

Alternatively, you can send necessities like hygiene kits, face masks, dry goods, and more to their center at the following address:

No 14, Jalan 4, Selayang Baru, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor

10. MERCY Malaysia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by MERCY Malaysia (Official) (@mercymalaysia)

Account Number: 562179504126

Account Name: MERCY Humanitarian Fund

11. Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by SikhInside (@sikhinside)

Account Number: 514169141318

Account Name: GSPJ Welfare Fund

12. Cuci Malaysia.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cuci Malaysia (@cucimalaysia)

Account Number: 555171544127

Account Name: Persatuan Cuci Malaysia

All funds donated will be used to purchase the necessary equipment to clean up affected areas. Volunteers are also encouraged to contact +60182191151.

13. Malaysian Red Crescent Society.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz (@tunkuputeri)

Account Number: 514422102657

Account Name: Pers Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia

14. Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima.

Account Number: 514105320757

Account Name: Tabung Bencana NSTP-Media Prima

Do what you can, when you can.

While this list was by no means exhaustive, it's a good starting point for anyone interested in helping their fellow Malaysians.

Read more social good stories:

Newlyweds sacrifice their honeymoon to help bury dead COVID-19 patients

M'sian creates award-winning pill that helps prevent old-age senile dementia

Malaysia gets its first Braille-enabled vending machines

Follow Mashable SEA on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , and Telegram .

 

Cover image sourced from Bernama / New Straits Times and New Straits Times .

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Want To Help #MalaysiaBanjir Victims? Here's What You Can Do

Mikaela Anthonysamy

Mikaela Anthonysamy

help flood victims essay

If you’re unable to actually go out and rescue victims, another option is to help them settle in in relief centres. With tens of thousands now displaced in various shelters, there are a lot of arrangements to be made for victims. 

Alternatively, you can help get warm meals to those who are in need of them. There are several locations that are currently preparing thousands of meals a day such as Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya or The Port at Damansara . At the time of writing, volunteers are still needed to help cook and pack food. If you’d like to join in the efforts, just contact them to find out how you can be of assistance.

Besides these, you can also volunteer to clean houses that have been affected. For more ways on how you can help, check out this Instagram Guide put together by @shaherazahari .

3. Give monetary aid

Cash donations are always needed during a crisis like this, as they can be used to cover anything, from supplies needed for victims to repairing destroyed homes.

The most important thing when it comes to cash aid, however, is to direct them to the right places. Always go for legitimate and known organisations first before channeling your money elsewhere. This doesn’t mean that you can’t donate to individuals who are collecting funds. However, make sure that they’re able to provide receipts for how the cash is being used. Some organizations you can consider donating to can be found here .

4. Donate food, clothing & toiletries

how-to-help-flood-victims-malaysia-banjir-02-1

As most flood victims would have lost many of their belongings, any donations of essential items are much appreciated. If you’d like to send food directly to relief centres, consider packing dry or canned food as they can be kept for longer. It would be advisable to send vegetarian items so that they can be consumed by Malaysians from various religious backgrounds.

As for clothing, please pack up clothes that are in decent condition only. Avoid clothes that are damaged and no longer wearable. You can send those to centres that upcycle old clothing such as Kloth Cares instead.

If you’re not sure of what essentials to pack, some things you can include are:

  • soaps & shampoo
  • sanitary napkins
  • diapers for both adults and babies
  • candles & matches
  • Paracetamol

You can also make individual care packages with a bit of everything so that it can be distributed more easily.

5. Provide shelter & transportation

Got some extra space that’s unused at the moment? You can open your doors to some families for a few days. If you don’t know where you can offer your shelter, start by putting out announcements on social media.

Besides boats that are being used to transport victims, other much-needed vehicles at this point are 4x4s and 4WDs due to their wading depths. If you have one of these or know someone who does, feel free to offer to ferry not just people, but also their belongings and pets.

6. Share helpful information

how-to-help-flood-victims-malaysia-banjir-03

Don’t feel bad if you can’t do any of the above. There are still ways you can make a difference during this time, even if it has to be done virtually. 

What’s kept us all in the loop regarding the floods is the information that’s been shared around—where to get help, which roads to avoid, where victims are still stranded, and so on. If you’ve been actively spreading the word on all of this, keep up the good work! A simple retweet or Instastory can go a long way.

At the same time, please ensure that the information you share is accurate and verified. The last thing you’d want, especially at a dire time like this, is for anyone’s efforts to go to waste.

Lawyer-turned-writer, Mikaela demonstrates the sharp legal acumen to analyse topics and draw out the most valuable insights.

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Deadly Landslides in India Made Worse by Climate Change, Study Finds

Extreme rainfall made 10 percent heavier by human-caused climate change triggered landslides that killed hundreds, according to a new study.

People wearing red shirts walk through muddy area littered with debris

By Austyn Gaffney

A sudden burst of rainfall on July 30 caused a cascade of landslides that buried hundreds of people in the mountainous Kerala region of southern India.

That downpour was 10 percent heavier because of human-caused climate change, according to a study by World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists who quantify how climate change can influence extreme weather. Nearly six inches, or 150 millimeters, of rain fell on soils already highly saturated from two months of monsoon and marked the third highest single-day rain event on record for India.

“The devastation in northern Kerala is concerning not only because of the difficult humanitarian situation faced by thousands today, but also because this disaster occurred in a continually warming world,” said Maja Vahlberg, a climate risk consultant at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre. “The increase in climate-change-driven rainfall found in this study is likely to increase the number of landslides that could be triggered in the future.”

In a state that is highly prone to landslides, the Wayanad district is considered the riskiest part. As of Tuesday, at least 231 people had died and 100 remained missing.

The Kerala landslides were the second extreme landslide event in July, following one in Ethiopia that killed 257 people. July was the second-worst month on record, after July 2019, with 95 landslide events that caused 1,167 fatalities , according to data maintained by Dave Petley, the vice-chancellor of the University of Hull. Together, they caused roughly one-third of the more than 3,600 deaths resulting from some 429 fatal landslides recorded this year, Dr. Petley said in an email.

Already, 2024 is an outlier, Dr. Petley posted to The Landslide Blog on Tuesday . He wrote that he could “only speculate on the likely underlying reasons for this very high incidence of fatal landslides,” but “the most likely cause continues to be the exceptionally high global surface temperatures, and the resultant increase in high intensity rainfall events.”

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Bangladesh’s New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation

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The debate  |  opinion.

The country’s democratic revolution is being targeted by both external and internal sources of misinformation and propaganda.

Bangladesh’s New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation

A crowd gathered at the National Parliament House premises to celebrate Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on Aug. 5, 2024.

A secular student-led mass uprising overthrew the dictatorship of India-backed Sheikh Hasina on August 5. Hasina had ruled with an iron fist for over 15 years; her ouster has been hailed as Bangladesh’s Second Independence. On August 8 a new, diverse, and progressive interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus , was inaugurated. 

As the interim government and the nation attempts to rebuild and renew, it is already facing significant threats. A judicial coup attempt, orchestrated by loyalists of Hasina’s party Awami League, was thwarted by students on August 10. Rumors are flying of another coup allegedly planned for August 15 in an attempt to regain power. 

However, another significant threat comes from pervasive disinformation and propaganda that attempts to destabilize Bangladesh. This has also played a central role in continued efforts to discredit Bangladesh’s new interim government. This propaganda, widespread and multipronged, has spread across social media platforms since Hasina fled. The false narratives have been so widespread that international media, pundits, intellectuals, influencers, and the general public have unwittingly propagated them.

One of the primary focuses of this campaign has been misleading and exaggerated claims of widespread persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. While there have been tragic incidents of attacks against Hindus , many of those targeted were affiliated with Hasina’s now-disgraced Awami League party, suggesting a political, not communal, motive. Specific instances of supposed attacks on Hindu homes and temples have been debunked by reputable news sources . 

The misinformation campaign delegitimizes the actual concerns that minorities in Bangladesh have about vandalism, looting, or attacks. Hindu leaders in Bangladesh themselves have issued statements to counter false narratives and document ground realities. This contrasts with the majority of the specific instances being cited on social media, which have proven false .  

Considerable factchecking and debunking is already underway on the voluminous number of made-up cases , including by individuals whose photos or videos are being misattributed. In one case, video footage purporting to show Hindus being attacked by a “jihadi” mob actually was taken during an attack on student protesters by Awami League supporters. 

The interim government has denounced any and all violence, and student protesters have taken it upon themselves to help guard Hindu temples and neighborhoods. Civilians from across across backgrounds have held solidarity rallies to reaffirm the spirit of the revolution and commitment to a secular Bangladesh.

Another element of the misinformation campaign involves stoking fears regarding an alleged Islamist takeover or a foreign nation’s involvement. These claims, too, are largely unsubstantiated and have been debunked . For example, Indian media reported that Bangladesh had lifted bans on terrorist organizations, which Bangladesh’s Fact Watch fact-checking center confirmed was untrue .

The extensive propaganda has stoked fear, incited hysteria, and caused significant distraction and disruption within Bangladesh. The two main sources of this misinformation campaign are global Hindutva forces linked to India, and Awami League loyalists both outside and inside Bangladesh.

First, groups and accounts associated with India’s Hindutva regime have been actively spreading anti-Bangladesh sentiments both in India and globally. This is widely believed to be a response to the fall of the Hasina government in Bangladesh, which was strongly backed by New Delhi. There is much at stake for India : the potential loss of access to Bangladesh’s resources, profits from industries and Indian citizens based in Bangladesh, the usage of transportation networks to reach India’s northeastern states, and security assistance targeting militant groups active in India’s Northeast.

Furthermore, this misinformation serves to deflect attention away from India’s widely documented record of violence against ethnic minorities and Muslims – topics that many Indians are unwilling to confront – while stoking Hindutva sentiments within India by portraying Hindus abroad as under siege. Together, the motivations appear to be economic, geopolitical, and ideological. 

A leaked document titled the “ Bangladesh Hindu Toolkit ” ( archived here ) revealed the extent of one of many propaganda efforts. The toolkit includes detailed instructions on messaging, political organizing, narrative-building, and imagery, aimed at promoting the false narrative of a “Hindu genocide” in Bangladesh. These campaigns find a receptive audience, as the World Economic Forum rated misinformation and disinformation as the number one risk facing India.  

Such efforts to generate and disseminate spurious claims, doctored images/videos, and exaggerations have significantly distorted the global understanding of the situation in Bangladesh. The ongoing global media coverage repeating misinformation, various rallies held based on the misinformation, meetings by Hindutva groups with politicians across countries to sway opinions, and discussion within the Indian Parliament – all these developments have further entrenched and fueled the false narratives.

Second, this campaign is occurring in collusion with the Awami League, which has been actively engaging in violence within Bangladesh, fostering discontent, and supporting the Hindutva narrative. In the immediate power vacuum that followed August 5, there were retaliatory and opportunist attacks against Awami League loyalists and police, driven by preexisting social or political tensions. These incidents were not communal violence, contrary to claims emanating across social media and press, which misleadingly stated that only Hindus were being targeted in the wake of the fall of the Awami League.

The Awami League’s role in creating more chaos is well-known. Leaked WhatsApp messages between members of the Awami League’s violent student wing, the Chhatra League, revealed their plans to carry out sporadic attacks on Hindu temples in false flag operations, with the intention of inflaming sectarian narratives. They have also allegedly participated in protests posing as victims of the violence they themselves perpetuated. 

Simultaneously, Hasina and her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, have been on a media blitz in India, giving inflammatory and contradictory interviews. There are concerns what will transpire given deeply embedded loyalists to the former dictator across sectors.

The potential implications for Bangladesh as it seeks to rebuild are profound. The new democracy currently faces substantial challenges. The distorted and pervasive propaganda is adding to the difficult task ahead and jeopardizes the safeguarding of Bangladesh’s democracy.  The commitment to ensuring a society that is free and safe for all Bangladeshis of all backgrounds has been repeatedly emphasized by Dr. Yunus, members of the interim government, and the public. Bangladesh thus must remain vigilant against those intent on destabilizing the country for their own (geo)political, economic, or ideological reasons.

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COMMENTS

  1. 4 Ways to Help Flood Victims

    If you are a spiritual person, pray for the flood victims and/or reflect for a moment on the situation. Open your heart to ways you can help, and be a comfort to those in need.

  2. Flood Essay for Students and Children

    Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. In this Flood essay, we are going to discuss the effects and various aspects of the flood.

  3. How to Help Flood Victims

    Helping flood victims can make a significant difference in their lives during a challenging time. Here are some steps you can take to…

  4. Flood Relief

    Donate Now to Disaster Relief. Help people affected by disasters big and small. $10 is the minimum online donation. When a flood occurs, your donation helps the Red Cross provide shelter, food and comfort to families. Please read about our latest relief efforts.

  5. How to Help Flood Victims? Essay

    3. Send goods and supplies to loved ones in affected areas. 4. Ship supplies into recovery and evacuation zones. 5. Give blood. The impact of natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires can be felt for weeks, months, and even years after disaster strikes. Rebuilding and recovery take a lot of time and effort and resources often run short ...

  6. Want to help people affected by floods? Here's what to do

    So, allow your flood-affected family and friends to continue to reflect on their experiences and losses if that is what they want to do.

  7. Looking to Help Flood Victims Recover? These Are Our Top Ideas

    Are you looking to help flood victims but don't know where to start? We list the most impactful volunteer opportunities and how to donate.

  8. 9 Best Charities That Help Flood Victims (Complete 2024 List)

    Whether you want to assist flood victims to find shelter, provide disaster relief to affected communities, or reduce human suffering in times of crisis, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that help flood victims are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

  9. The Flood: Reflection and Mitigating The Impact

    In addition, floodplain management and land-use planning can help to reduce the risk of flooding by regulating development in flood-prone areas and preserving natural floodplains and wetlands.

  10. Flood Essay for Students

    Essay on Flood - Floods are natural disasters that occur when a body of water, such as a river or ocean, overflows its banks and spills onto the surrounding land.

  11. How to Help Flood Victims: 3 Ways to Aid Flood Relief

    A flood can be devastating for an individual, family or community to go through. It's important to know how to help flood victims recover.

  12. 7 Ways to Help Flood Victims [Practical Tips]

    From flood cleanup to pet sitting, here are practical ways you can help people affected by severe storms and floods.

  13. The social impact of floods: 7 ways to help those affected

    During and after a flood, people may become injured or sick. Physical effects ranging from injury, shock and heart problems to skin problems and flu may occur. However, flood victims indicate that the mental issues are much more severe than the physical problems they experience. A flood, evacuation and rebuilding have an enormous mental impact.

  14. Paragraph on Flood

    Paragraph on Flood in 100 Words. A flood is a condition when an area is fully or partially submerged in water for a period of time due to man-made or natural causes. The natural reasons behind floods can be heavy and continuous rain for an extended time period. Dam bursts or breaking of dam gates can be a man-made reason for a flood to occur.

  15. Here is how to help victims of the flooding in Kentucky.

    The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, which was established by Mr. Beshear, is accepting tax-deductible donations online and by mail to help people who were affected by the floods. The ...

  16. 127 Flood Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Writing an essay on flood-related topics can help raise awareness about the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such disasters. Here are 127 flood essay topic ideas and examples to inspire your writing: The impact of floods on agriculture and food security. The role of climate change in increasing the frequency and ...

  17. Essay on Flood

    These essays shall prove helpful to students for the examinations as well. Contents. List of Essays on Flood in English. Essay on Flood - Essay 1 (150 Words) Essay on Flood: Reasons, Effects and Conclusion - Essay 2 (250 Words) Essay on Flood in India - Essay 3 (300 Words) Essay on Flood: Causes, Consequences and Prevention - Essay 4 ...

  18. Looking to Help Flood Victims Recover? These Are Our Top Ideas

    If you want to help flood victims but don't know where to start, this guide outlines several volunteer opportunities and the best ways to donate to those in need.

  19. Help Flood Victims in Malaysia: Organisations To Support

    Help meet the urgent needs of the flood victims by donating or volunteering at these charity organisations today.

  20. Examination of how social media can inform the management of volunteers

    Abstract This research examines the ways in which social media is used to organize and manage volunteers during a flood. Flooding is currently one of the top risks highlighted within the UK National Risk Register and ways to help those affected need to be explored further. Social media is a valuable tool in disaster management as it enables information to be passed quickly and effectively to ...

  21. 14 initiatives you can support to help flood victims in Malaysia

    And as a result of this turtle-pace response, the Malaysian people have banded together to help each other out, with or without government assistance. If you want to help out the flood victims, here are some initiatives you can support now.

  22. Want To Help #MalaysiaBanjir Victims? Here's What You Can Do

    4. Donate food, clothing & toiletries. As most flood victims would have lost many of their belongings, any donations of essential items are much appreciated. If you'd like to send food directly to relief centres, consider packing dry or canned food as they can be kept for longer.

  23. Deadly Landslides in India Made Worse by Climate Change, Study Finds

    Extreme rainfall made 10 percent heavier by human-caused climate change triggered landslides that killed hundreds, according to a new study.

  24. Bangladesh's New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation

    The country's democratic revolution is being targeted by both external and internal sources of misinformation and propaganda.

  25. 2024 Wayanad landslides

    A total 1,531 rescuers were mobilized to help the rescue work from different forces including 35 personnel from National Disaster Response Force ... Kerala Bank decided to write off loans availed from its Mundakkai and Chooralmala branch by the victims and survivors worth ...