Tsunami aftermath in the Solomon Islands

Recently, a tsunami hit the Solomon Islands along with an earthquake (8.1 magnitude with numerous aftershocks). In the aftermath, thousands were left homeless and at least 28 people dead. The United Nations reports a death toll of 35. While aid has been arriving, there is still a lot of need. Homes, towns, roads, and bridges have been destroyed and people, including children, are living in camps and shelters. These camps have poor sanitation and cases of diarrhea are becoming prevalent. Organizations like World Vision and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are working to provide relief; however, the situation continues to need aid.

View a media clip from World Vision regarding the tsunami and its effects in the Solomon Islands by clicking here.

For more information on relief aid and updates, visit the World Vision website and the IFRC website.

Orange County Rescue Mission

At a recent conference called Children at Risk, I attended a workshop given by someone from the Orange County Rescue Mission. The title of the workshop talked about a model of mobile outreach rather than something specific to Orange County so needless to say, I was surprised and my eyes were opened to new information. I thought that I would blog about this because this is something closer to home, as a resident of Los Angeles, and because it indicates that there are opportunities to help everywhere. When I think of Orange County (aside from the fact that it's the "OC" and we seldom venture there except out of necessity since it's quite a drive - particularly in traffic), I hardly ever think of homeless. But apparently there are a large number of homeless in the OC and most of them are families (70% in fact according to their website) - families that cannot afford the rent, that are not good with money management, end up living in motels with their children, and then finally end up on the streets or a shelter. There are over 30,000 homeless in OC! The Orange County Rescue Mission has implemented programs to assist these homeless families and work with them to empower them and bring them out of the homeless situation utilizing mobile outreach as well as numerous other services. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.