5 Tips to Prepare Your Family and Community for a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are inevitable.

Earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, and the like  are unforeseen catastrophes that could strike at any time so, you must be prepared.

Being ready for a natural disaster will help you and your family prevent harm and save lives.

This International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction, here are 5 tips that can help you and your family become ready for a natural disaster.

1. Create a family evacuation plan

Planning ahead of time makes all the difference in disaster preparedness. Healthychildren.org emphasized that it is important to involve all the family members in the preparation before a natural disaster.

Talk with your family members and train them on what to do before, during, and after a disaster strikes.

Aside from this, you can also conduct family drills once in a while. Remember to discuss all the necessary hotlines and evacuation details they need to know in case of calamities.

2. Be updated with the latest news and information

Always keep yourself informed with the latest news coverage on the natural disaster. Make sure to have a list and know the locations of nearby evacuation centers.

Before a calamity strikes, prepare an updated directory of local news stations for information and government hotlines for rescue and evacuation.

Also, healthychildren.org emphasized that making a plan and building a kit are as important as being informed. Prepare a charger and enough batteries for your means of communication. Have a working radio, cellular phone, and extra power banks in case of extended power interruption.

3. Build a kit with enough basic food supplies and medicine

Another thing to prepare is your food supplies which, according to CNN,  should last for at least one week.

Stock up on basic food supplies like canned goods, bread, and potable water. Better to pack food that will not spoil even without refrigeration. Stock up on ready-to-eat or easy-to-cook food.

Aside from water and food provision, prepare a stock of your basic medicines and a first aid kit. Prepare a separate kit for those who have a health condition for their own medication. Make sure you have enough medicines and medical supplies to last for at least a week.

4. Encourage others to be disaster-ready

As you prepare as a family, it is important to help others be disaster-ready too. By simply sharing the tips on disaster preparedness on your social media or other means of communication, you can encourage your neighbors and community to be disaster-ready.

Youth.gov also shared that young people can generate creative ideas in sharing disaster preparedness programs, making the tips more engaging and easier to grasp.

Through these efforts, together as a community, you can save lives.

5. Stay calm and pray for God’s protection

Most of all, it is best to stay calm and seek God’s deliverance and protection amid catastrophes. Rest your heart knowing that God is in control no matter what disaster that will come your way.

When you or your loved ones are troubled with all the disasters happening in the world, remember that you can always seek refuge in God’s presence through prayer.

“I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 NIV)

Do you still feel distressed and worried? Let us pray for you. Call CBN Asia’s Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700 anytime.

And if you want to experience the fullness of God’s protection amid any disaster, visit this page to start your journey of faith today.

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster During a Pandemic – National Disaster Resilience Month

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster During a Pandemic – National Disaster Resilience Month

July is National Disaster Resilience Month in the Philippines to promote preparedness among Filipinos during catastrophes.

During a pandemic, disaster preparedness is more complex now. So, here are some tips that can help you and your family be disaster-ready while on a public health emergency:

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster During a Pandemic – National Disaster Resilience Month

1. Ready your enhanced emergency kit

Aside from the basic emergency and food supplies kit that includes food, water, clothes, radio, first aid supplies,  flashlights, whistles, and important documents, you would need additional supplies.

Ready.gov  recommends adding COVID-19-related necessities such as masks, face shields, and prescribed medicines to your emergency kit.

It is important to maintain the emergency kit, always check if the medicines and food supplies are not expired. Keep the kit in a cool dry place.

Keep your emergency bag easily accessible in case of an emergency evacuation.

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster During a Pandemic – National Disaster Resilience Month

2. Follow the minimum health standards

After preparing your supplies, learn the basic practices against COVID-19,  just in case you would need to evacuate to a safer, but more public area.

To help you remember these practices, the Department of Health’s (DOH) BIDA Ang Solusyon sa COVID-19 promotes the four behaviors to fight the virus:

B – Bawal walang mask

I – I-sanitize ang kamay, iwas hawak sa mga bagay

D – Dumistasya ng isang metro

A – Alamin ang totoong impormasyon

By doing BIDA, you ensure the safety of your whole family in a disaster during a  pandemic.

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster During a Pandemic – National Disaster Resilience Month

3. Pray for God’s help

Above all these preparations, you need God. Typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other catastrophes are uncontrollable situations, but God is always in control. So leave it all to God through prayer!

You can always seek God’s protection amidst unprecedented times of pandemic and calamities.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.” (Psalm 46:1-2 NLT)

Do you want to be secure of God’s protection? Start your journey of faith today!

Visit this page and call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8-737-0-700.

11112020_Affected by Disasters Here are 6 Ways to Help You Cope

Affected by Disasters? Here are 6 Ways to Help You Cope

Super Typhoon Rolly wreaked havoc in the Bicol region and nearby provinces last week. Inquirer reported that according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the typhoon was by far the strongest this year.

Disasters like typhoons can have a lasting impact on people’s lives. It can serve as a lesson to better prepare people for the next calamities or it can cause traumas and anxieties among those who were severely affected. It can take a heavy toll on people’s physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual health.

So, how do you cope with disastrous events such as super typhoons?

Here are 6 things you can do to help yourself and your family overcome catastrophic events.

1. Take care of yourself  

It may be hard to start at first but taking care of yourself is an important part of coping with disasters. Make sure you continue with your normal routines such as eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. Verywell Mind says that practicing self-care will help you cope better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

2. Limit sources of stress  

One of the helpful steps you can do following a disaster is to stay away from sources that add stress. 

This could mean lessening your exposure to visual pictures of this event. It is wise to be informed but it is also wise to prevent yourself or others, especially children, from anything that may add feelings of fear and anxiety brought by this natural disaster.

3. Talk about it 

Voicing out your feelings to your family on how this event has affected you can help alleviate stress It can comfort you knowing that others share the same sentiments, too

Verywell Mind also explains that early intervention, resources, and support from others can be a major factor in helping people overcome the negative impact of a catastrophic event. Reaching out to people can make a huge difference.

4. Get professional help for mental and emotional distress 

Are you extremely disturbed about the recent disaster? 

If you feel that this event has caused you post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a type of trauma that resulted from natural disasters, do not be afraid to seek professional help from psychiatrists, psychologists, or counselors. Treatments can range from series of psychological therapies to medication that would help you go through this very challenging season.

5. Find ways to help others 

You may be on the other side of the boat who just witnessed a member of your family or friend go through a tough time during a disaster. One way you can lessen their burden is to reach out and extend a helping hand.  

In the article Are We Biologically Wired to Help Others During Crisis?, Psychology Today stated that according to research, a particular part of the brain is activated when people donate to causes they care aboutHelping others can give you a sense of purpose, that even in bad situations, you can make a positive impact in the lives of people.

Iyou have the resources, you can partner with the Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines and lend a helping hand to those who were also severely affected by the typhoon.

6. Pray for your family and community 

One of the best ways to rise above this disastrous event is to look out for each other, pray for one another, and lean on God as your source of hope and strength. 

Matthew 18:20 NIV says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” 

At times like this, coming together in prayer and promoting peace encourage people not to stay in that place of despair. It is an opportunity to know God more and reassure yourself and others that He is your comfort in times of trouble. 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV) 

If you and your family are deeply affected by this disastrous event, we would love to comfort you through prayers. You may reach out to the CBN Asia Prayer Center or send your prayer requests to our Facebook page. 

Devotionals

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His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

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His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3

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What It Takes To Believe in God

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3you with unfailing kindness.

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The Fearless Life | God’s Word Today

His love for you is endless. That’s the kind that never fades. He reminds us all of his love for us in Jeremiah 31:3