Providing Disaster Relief to Those in Need

In late September and early October, 2024, two major hurricanes hit the southeastern coast of the United States.  Within three weeks,12,000 volunteers donated 170,000 hours to assist those in need.  Since that time, many thousands more provided assistance in the massive effort to provide emergency relief. These volunteers included members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society in the North America Southeast Area.  

Just five months earlier, in late April and early May, 2024, storms and torrential rain battered southern Brazil, causing destructive flooding that persisted through much of May. In response to this disaster, scores of members of the JRCLS in the Brazil Area came to the rescue.

As disasters can happen anywhere, any time, the JRCLS is in a unique position to assist as its chapters are located all over the world. Law Society members frequently participate in helpful service events each May during the Month of Service initiative, and in other formal events that are planned weeks or even months in advance.  However, crucial service can be provided by Law Society members when disaster strikes and assistance is needed.​

Under the direction of the Law Society’s Service Committee, the Disaster Relief Service Subcommittee has collected contact information and resources for JRCLS members’ use in assisting victims of disaster and providing pro bono legal advice.  Providing this type of service to assist victims of disaster can have an immediate positive impact on the individuals served, and can also create new relationships between Law Society members and their communities, local government officials, leaders and members of many faiths, and other community service organizations. 

Disaster Relief Service Opportunities
If your chapter is interested in providing disaster relief service, please consider the following: 

Become familiar with legal issues affecting victims of disaster and available resources
Victims of disaster often face numerous legal issues, and even though help is often available  through various programs, navigating forms and procedures to access the resources can be overwhelming. As chapter members become more familiar with the types of legal issues disaster victims face, and resources available to assist victims, they can use this information to explain next steps without necessarily having experience with a particular area of law. The American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Disaster Response and Preparedness has provided a detailed website outlining many of the resources available to victims of disaster, which can be a helpful starting place for orienting attorneys and law students to disaster relief services available to victims: ABA Disaster Resources

Partner with Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs) in your area
Disaster relief service consists in not only meeting the immediate physical needs of the victims but also in providing emotional resilience and legal counsel in the long days, weeks, and even years of recovery. JRCLS chapters can contact community leaders to assist emergency management agencies (EMAs) and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide invaluable help to these agencies by following their recommendations. 

Partner with local religious organizations in your area

Faith leaders in communities affected by disasters are often aware of the legal needs of members of their congregations. JRCLS members can consider contacting faith leaders in the affected communities to offer services such as reviewing rental contracts or insurance policies to help explain what the provisions mean and identify phone numbers or email addresses for submitting claims.     

Partner with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Local resources are often available to disaster victims through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society. Some countries have more integrated community disaster involvement than others so chapter members can contact their local organization to learn about the needs of and services offered by these organizations, and volunteer opportunities. 
For a directory of Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations in your country, click here: 
IFRC Societies Directory.

Obtain training on becoming trauma-informed lawyers        
Many victims of disaster have experienced extreme trauma which may significantly affect their ability to communicate and their decision-making processes. Being aware of the negative effects of trauma on victims can help lawyers compassionately assist the victims and help attorneys imparting legal advice. Training can help lawyers know how to appropriately respond to disaster victims, both to help the victims and to also shield the volunteer attorneys.  To learn about one non-profit organization’s trauma education resources, click here: Heart Math Institute Trauma Training.

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR NORTH CAROLINA DISASTER RELIEF
Lawyers not licensed to practice in North Carolina can now register with the North Carolina State Bar to provide free legal aid to victims of Hurricane Helene under a temporary rule from the state’s Supreme Court. To view a copy of the order authorizing this assistance, click here: North Carolina Administrative Order (October 2024).   Questions? Call 919-828-4620, or send an email to PBolac@ncbar.gov.