When Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines a week ago, much of the country underwent large-scale power outages and downed trees. Other parts of the country faired much worse. Tacloban City – one of the cities affected most by the typhoon – was blasted by 155 mph winds and a 20 ft-high water surge that left 95 percent of the city devastated. The nation-wide death toll is still uncertain. Initial estimates place the number as high as 10,000.
As Christ-followers we are called to help. But as I learned from my years of working with CISF (now ScholarLeaders International), often times our helping hurts. How can we be sure we do no harm? How can we best serve those in need? Here are some suggestions.*
- Keep your focus on the survivors’ needs. When giving aid to those ravaged by natural disasters it’s important to know what kind of aid is needed. After the Exxon Valdez oil spill, tons (literally tons) of donated clothes poured in from around the world. This “aid” cost the community $200,000 – the price to get rid of the clothes that they could not use. True aid actually happens when the right type and amount of gifts are given at the right time.
- Understand your motivation. Most people feel good about themselves when they give to those in need. This is the wrong reason to help! We should help because our faith demands that we do whatever it takes to help those in need.
- Do not be an SUV. In this case SUV does not mean “sports utility vehicle,” but “spontaneous uninvited volunteer.” Never self-deploy. Volunteers who fail to work through relief organizations often end up causing stress instead of bring help. Rather than parachuting into the disaster setting, wait until the needs have been assessed and volunteers have been invited. Or wait and be part of the intermediate or long-term recovery process.
- Join forces and support local or established church and aid organizations. There are church organizations in the Philippines (e.g. Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches or Philippine Relief and Development Services) that are positioned to help their countrymen. There are international aid organizations (e.g. Micah Network, Integral Alliance, World Relief, and Samaritan’s Purse) that are prepared to give aid in ways that are needed. Giving financially to these organizations is often the best way for us to help.
Jason Tan – president of a Philippine Bible college – and his wife Donna attended Christ Church for a number of years before returning to the Philippines. Though they were affected by the storm, they did not receive the worst of it. Writing a few days after the typhoon struck, Donna says, “While we thank God for not experiencing the worse this typhoon could have brought, our hearts are deeply, deeply crushed by the devastation it has brought upon our countrymen… Relief and rescue operations are coming from all over. We thank God for them. Do pray for smooth coordination and cooperation among those running it, and that our people will get what they need.”
I encourage you to pray as well, and to consider other ways that you might help the victims of Haiyan.
*Special thanks to Dr. Jamie Aten, the founder and co-director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute, for his insights on disaster relief.