RT
When someone is impacted by a major environmental disaster, many people including you may not know what to say or feel that you are not helping them. It is important to always be there for the person and make sure they know they alone. When someone is heartbroken and has lost everything, the last thing you want to do is make them feel like they are alone.
Make sure they know that you are happy that they are now safe and alive. That just their presence is a gift and miracle. It is a great way to let them know you are grateful for them and to show you care about them.
People will always feel distraught and lost. They may even feel depressed and just have no sense of direction. This is when you tell them that you are only given what you can handle. This is just a phase and it will pass. It is important that they know it is only temporary and it will pass, things will soon be okay. One step at a time, one day at a time, and just make sure they know baby steps are the way to go at a time like this.
Make sure they know you are there for them if they need to talk. Whether that be in person, on the phone, or texting even. Just make sure they know you are always there for them and will always be there to help them. Let them know they can trust and confide in you with anything.
Ask them what you can do to help them. Specifically if there is anything they need. Ask what you can supply or offer physical help. This could be the best thing that could be offered.
Ask if they need any food, offer a meal. It is important to know that people who have been impacted by a major storm probably have lost everything and that includes food. Many people are probably very hungry and a simple homemade meal will make them forget about everything for a little while.
If you are at a loss of what to say, simply say you do not know what to say. However, if you say this, make sure it is with a sincere heart and you make sure they know you are sympathetic and you do care. It is a difficult thing to go through and they are in a bad place right now and just want your support.
When talking to someone who has been through an environmental disaster, it is important to have a sympathetic heart and an understanding of what they have gone through. Know that they may have lost everything and even the littlest of things mean the world to them right now. They are distraught and just want help, food, and emotional help. Everyone is different. Some people will want to talk about it while others will not want to talk at all. Some people will want a warm meal while others will feel like they are intruding. Make sure to make them feel at home while they are in your presence seeing as they probably lost everything. Offer emotional support, physical help, and a warm meal to make them feel that things will be okay eventually.
