Hands On Disaster Response (HODR), a volunteer-driven 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, has announced the launch of a volunteer project to help the devastated Pisco province of Peru recover and rebuild. A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Peru on August 15, killing over 500 people, interrupting schools, disrupting livelihoods, and destroying over 40,000 homes. A HODR assessment team arrived in Peru August 20, 2007. After touring some of the region’s hardest-hit towns and populations, the team has identified a community where it can have a maximum impact.

When a tsunami wreaked havoc on Indonesia two years ago, the tragedy struck home. I, too, live in a disaster-prone community. Tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions are all highly plausible occurrences. I wanted to do something to ensure that if a natural disaster struck my community, families would be prepared. I looked for materials that would instruct young children on what to do and what to expect in an emergency. I checked the library, wondering if there were any storybooks about natural disasters, but found none.