In 2005, Mother Nature proved just how powerful she can be. In South Asia, citizens began the year rebuilding after a tsunami devastated coastlines from southern India to the island nation of Indonesia on December 26, 2004. More than 200,000 people were killed in the tsunami, which left millions in need of help, according to UNICEF.
Here at home, one of the busiest hurricane seasons pounded coastal areas. Katrina, the strongest hurricane, slammed the Gulf Coast on August 30. The hurricane destroyed parts of Mississippi and Alabama and flooded the city of New Orleans in Louisiana. In Louisiana alone, more than 1,000 people were killed.
On October 8, a terrible earthquake shook parts of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. The quake destroyed entire villages and killed about 80,000 people. The quake also left more than 3.3 million individuals homeless. In November, some 800,000 people struggled to survive without shelter as winter weather moved into the area.
What do these three disasters have in common? A wave of generosity followed all three tragedies. Ordinary citizens throughout the world quickly became heroes as they opened their hearts and wallets to people in need. Volunteers donated time and money to help survivors of these natural disasters.
After Asia's tsunami, former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, one-time opponents, joined forces to raise money for relief efforts. They got together again in September to raise money for Katrina victims. Shortly after the hurricane, rescuers braved dangerous, unsanitary conditions to bring survivors to safety.
Kids and grownups held fundraisers in their communities and schools and traveled to the devastated regions to deliver needed medicine, food and supplies. Many found new and creative ways to help. In Bethesda, Maryland, a group called Project Backpack filled more than 10,350 backpacks with school supplies for Katrina's youngest survivors. In schools across the country, kids participated in reading-for-relief fundraisers to benefit tsunami victims.
As with the tsunami and Katrina, countries all over the world sent equipment, food, blankets, doctors, tents, medicine, and other resources to help Pakistan recover from its crushing quake. Survivors trying to rebuild after these natural disasters have a long, hard road ahead. But as we have seen during the past year, Mother Nature's worst can often bring out the best in humanity.
For bravely and unselfishly working to help people affected by some of the worst natural disasters in history, TFK nominates Heroes in a Time of Need for TFK People of the Year.
