Written and compiled by Fred Jaicks
Numerous organizations exist with the specific aim of offsetting damages due to natural disaster. From preventative steps such as education and disaster mitigation to long-term disaster recovery efforts, these programs assist individuals in all the stages of a natural disaster. If you’re concerned about your own ability to withstand an emergency situation, consult with the most appropriate organization for your area. Bear in mind that many of the same few public organizations responsible for emergency management have departments dedicated to various stages of disaster response, from pre-emergency tips to disaster relief.
Education and Training
The first step to minimizing natural disaster fallout is education. Numerous organizations offer classes, materials and activities to heighten public awareness. When online or at in-person workshops, you can consult with these organizations to decrease the risks associated with a natural disaster.
- Purdue Extension Disaster Education Network
- Texas A&M Extension Disaster Information
- UNISDR Disaster Education and Risk Reduction
- Role of Education in Disaster Risk Reduction
- National Disaster Education Coalition
- Public Awareness & Education for Disaster Risk Reduction
- Utah Extension Disaster Education Network
- Center for Disaster Research & Education
- About the Extension Disaster Education Network
- Pediatric Education in Disasters
- Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education
- Prioritizing Education in the Face of Natural Disasters
- NY EDEN: Disaster Education
- Coping With Disasters
- VCEDEN Disaster Education Network
- University of Vermont: Disaster & Emergency Education
- Humanitarian Health Education and Training
- Disaster Education at Schools
Mitigation
Emergency mitigation programs offer aid to individuals prior to natural disasters. Organizations may be public or private. Aid usually takes the form of physical preparations, often though properly outfitting personal property to best withstand possible damage.
- Disaster Mitigation Programs
- OSHA: Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Disaster Mitigation Planning Assistance
- Odisha State Disaster Management Authority
- Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management
Preparedness
Emergency preparedness refers to any actions taken, prior to an emergency event, to minimize the potential damages. Given the benefits of emergency preparedness, numerous natural disaster-related organizations offer courses, materials and other activities and programs aimed at increasing community disaster preparedness.
- Disaster Preparedness Education
- U.S. “Ready” Campaign
- Disaster Preparedness for Pets
- Disaster Preparedness for Veterinarians
- American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness
- Disaster Preparedness: Humane Society
- Emergency Preparedness for Small Businesses
- National Center for Disaster Preparedness
- National Disaster Preparedness Training Center
- International Association for Preparedness and Response
- Ready: Houston
- WA Emergency Management Division
- CDC: Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist
- Emergency Kits
Recovery
Disaster recovery programs are similar to relief programs, but they are focused on longer-term solutions. Many of these programs focus on helping individuals to rebuild their lives and recuperate a pre-disaster quality of life. Aid may come in the form of infrastructure rebuilding, grants for basic living expenses or economic relief at the community-wide level.
- Development Block Grant Recovery Program
- Disaster Recovery
- Disaster Recovery: Federal Assistance
- State and Local Disaster Purchasing
- After a Disaster
- Hurricanes: Disaster Recovery
Relief
Emergency relief programs focus on providing short-term assistance to those affected by natural disasters. Relief may consist of the distribution of food and clean drinking water, temporary shelter, or blankets and other necessities. These groups may also provide basic medical support to individuals injured as a result of the disaster.
- Disaster Relief Agencies
- Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
- Lions Club Disaster Relief
- Tax Relief
- PADF Disaster Relief
- Relief Organizations
- Salvation Army Relief
- MPSCA Disaster Relief
Research
Many organizations and programs are dedicating to researching natural disasters. Some organizations are specifically devoted to analyzing the most efficient emergency response systems to deal with these natural disasters.
- Natural Hazards Center
- Natural Hazards Research
- Natural Hazard Management in Regional Planning
- Natural Hazards & Disasters Research
- ECU Center Natural Hazards Research
- International Disaster Database
- IRDR: Disaster Risk
- UDEL Disaster Research Center
- MONASH Center Disaster Resilience
- USGS: Natural Hazards
- Seismological Society of America
Response
These response organizations respond before, during and after major natural disaster and other large-scale emergency situations. Both public and private non-profit organizations offer aid to individuals affected by the emergency.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- OSHA Emergency Response
- Natural Disaster Response for Schools
- FDA: Natural Disaster Response
- UN Food and Agriculture Organization
- InterAction Crisis Response
- Lutheran Disaster Response
- Mennonite Disaster Service
- OXFAM International
- Project HOPE
- U.S. Aid
Warnings
These programs issue warnings, alerts and other communications to inform the public of impending natural events, such as major fires, floods, hurricanes or earthquakes. Both public and private programs are designed to ensure that information is spread quickly, in spite of any telecommunications outages caused by the natural disaster.
- NOAA National Severe Storms Lab
- Earthquake Hazards Program
- Northern California Earthquake Data Center
- Southern California Earthquake Data Center
- Hurricane and Tropical Cyclones
- Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
- Pacific Disaster Center
- FCC Natural Disaster Tip Sheet
- Wireless Emergency Alerts
- Earthquake Early Warning