Why disaster relief is important (International Relief Teams)

International Relief Teams published an article on how natural disasters are becoming more and more commonplace. Even if we exclude the most recent disasters, the United States averaged 127 disasters annually from 2006-2015. That is more than double the average over the previous 63 years! Senior research fellow Katrina Kosec said, “Disasters can change victim’s attitudes in ways that will potentially haunt individuals, communities, and local economies for decades to come,” told the Washington Post. “When people endure natural disasters without aid, they may face a lifetime of diminished hope for prosperity. Delivering disaster aid to victims quickly not only restores lost assets but also maintains their aspirations – and invests in communities’ longer-term economic and democratic health.” Read more about Kosec’s fascinating research on the value of disaster relief here.