Preparing for disaster: The vital role of local organisations in community resilience

My mum answered on the second ring, fumbling to switch the call to speaker phone. The call was from dad’s sister in Turkey. We all stopped what we were doing and listened intently. I could tell mum was trying her best to mask the worry in her voice. “Tell me it’s good news. Please tell me you found them” There was silence, a prolonged moment of hesitation. Then my auntie’s shaky voice broke through the silence. “We found them, all four of them. They are all dead. My son, my beautiful son. I had to bury him today.”

My first cousin. His wife. And their daughters, 5 and 7. A whole family wiped out. Just like that. I tell myself I need to be brave for my parents, but the tears begin to fall as I try to comprehend what has happened.

Since the 7.8 magnitude earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, we have had the Turkish news on right around the clock. The death toll is close to 50,000 but my uncle says that double that amount is more accurate.

No matter where we are watching from, the atrocities have left us all feeling shocked and helpless, which is why the success stories of people who are found alive are so important. Our compassion has resulted in aid and support on a global scale, for those who have lost their homes and family members in the rubble.

A natural disaster of this magnitude requires extensive support. Local organisations are the key enablers that determine how quickly, and effectively international aid can be received and redirected to the most relevant areas. There is the immediate response.

But then there are long term needs for shelter, health, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. There is also the need for psycho-social support for the different traumas the population has experienced. It is critical to ensure that there are frameworks in place locally for the various areas of assistance and aid that are required, along with the right level of governance.

We have seen tremendous efforts reflecting this amazing teamwork in New Zealand, with the Christchurch floods; London with the Grenfell fires; and now in Turkey with the earthquakes. Local organisations play a critical role in the process of recovery, and they need to be prepared, should disaster strike.

So, what would we do if there was a local disaster here in Australia? A raging bushfire, a devastating flood, an earthquake? National Zakat Foundation is one of our key local organisations in Australia.

At NZF we recognise the need to regularly assess how ready we are as a community to handle such disasters. This is why we network and will continue to collaborate with as many leaders and organisations in our community, to ensure that we are putting in place as strong, a support framework as we can.

NZF is there for you and our community here in Australia.

To learn more visit NZF at www.nzf.org.au

Denise Il is a writer at National Zakat Foundation Australia, and is based in Victoria.