Find hope…and be prepared


February 9, 2011

Donna Derr, surrounded by children in post-earthquake Haiti. Photo: WoC/Amy Gopp

Donna Derr, surrounded by children in post-earthquake Haiti. Photo: WoC/Amy Gopp

Hope! Things do get better.

When we work together, when we believe in the possibility of change, we can take tremendous strides forward. Words and tenets I believe in…particularly as I reflect on the growing number of disasters globally and a time when disaster preparedness and mitigation are of key importance to communities everywhere.

Growing up on a homestead along the Monocacy River my family twice endured the devastation of our home during major hurricanes. The first time, by the grace of God, we were evacuated by local rescue personnel after spending several hours stranded on our roof after waters had risen to the second floor of our home. We weren’t prepared! Our area, we’d been told, hadn’t had major flooding for over 100 years and so we had made the bad choice to remain in our home rather than seek shelter elsewhere.

From that experience we learned the necessity of preparedness and that yes, there are steps one can take in advance to minimize losses and ensure individual safety when disasters occur. We were ready when seven years later we endured another hurricane and more massive flooding. My family was lucky!

And it was an experience that made me all too aware that no individual or family should depend on luck in the face of growing numbers of disasters. Individuals, families and communities need to educate themselves on how to best be prepared for disasters that may occur. Knowledge and planning saves lives and mitigates losses in disasters — luck doesn’t!

Donna Derr serves as director of the CWS Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program, which includes the agency’s emergency response operations.