10 Ways to Show Kindness During Emergencies (blogs.cdc.org)

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November 13 is World Kindness Day

Kindness is good for you. According to researchers, helping others release hormones that boost your mood and wellbeing.(1, 2)

Kindness is most beneficial to you and others when it’s made part of your routine. Acts of kindness take on increased meaning during an emergency when people need care, concern, and consideration.

Here are 10 ways you can show kindness to yourself and others before, during, and after an emergency.

1. Join someone’s personal support network. A personal support network is a group of people who volunteer to help a family member, friend, neighbor, etc. living with an impairment, activity limitation, or participation restriction that can affect their ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
2. Care for yourselfin at least one small way each day. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. It’s important to take care of your family and friends, but it should be balanced with care for yourself. Self-care during an emergency will help your long-term healing.
3. Volunteer responsibly. Don’t self-deploy to disaster areas. Trusted organizations operating in the affected area know where volunteers are needed. By working with an established non-profit organization, the appropriate safety, training, and skills can be considered. Recovery lasts longer than media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often many years, after the disaster. Your help often is needed long after a disaster.(3)
4. Donate wisely. A financial contribution to a recognized volunteer organization active in disaster is the most effective donation you can make to support survivors. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts, and try to purchase through local businesses.(3)
5. Shop responsibly during emergencies. Buy what your family needs and leave some for others. Do not buy more supplies than you need to prepare for or in response to an emergency.
6. Be a helper to others in need. Help friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, etc. prepare for and respond to emergencies. For example, you can offer to help them
   • refill and organize prescription medicines.
   • shop for emergency supplies.
   • create personal needs kits for them and their pets.
   • collect, check, and protect their important paperwork.
   • evacuate if they don’t own a vehicle.
   • register for evacuation assistance.