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Each new year presents many opportunities to reflect and prepare. One of the best ways to plan for the future is to look to the past. What worked? What changes do you want to make? How can you ensure you are equipped for what could happen moving forward? This is especially true when it comes to understanding the potential difficult circumstances your employees may face and the best ways to provide support for those team members in need. One of the best ways to do that is by establishing a relief fund.
Disaster and hardship relief funds can have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of team members in need by providing essential financial assistance.
Relief funds can also help boost employee morale and foster a sense of community within your organization. The act of giving and supporting others can be a powerful way to build connections and create a sense of shared purpose. By establishing a relief fund, you can help mobilize employees around a common goal of assisting team members around the world and making a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling.
If you’re considering establishing a relief fund in 2023—or wondering why you should—looking back at what happened in 2022 will help guide you and illustrate the effects relief funds can have. In this article, we’ll do just that by sharing what we accomplished and the impact we had last year at Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF).
Our 2022 Impact
Throughout 2022, Emergency Assistance Foundation helped thousands of individuals and families receive the support they needed in order to overcome the many difficult situations the year brought. We’re proud to share that we helped over 49,000 families around the world with over $45 million in financial assistance. This is a testament to our Fund Partners' commitment to helping their own, the dedication of our team, and the generosity of our donors.
These funds helped people recover from various disaster events throughout the year, with the top 5 in dollar amount awarded being:
- Hurricane Ian
- The Ukraine Conflict
- Hurricane Fiona
- The COVID-19 Pandemic
- Flooding in Malaysia
In addition to specific disasters , we also took a look at the event categories to understand the types of hardships that impacted people the most. In 2022, the top 5 event categories were:
- Epidemic
- Natural Disaster
- Serious Illness/Injury
- Loss
- Impacts Primary Residence
You can see that the COVID-19 pandemic continued—and continues—to greatly impact the lives of people around the world, both from illness and the economic fallout that has ensued as a result of individuals being unable to work.
Natural disasters have also played a major role, as 18 natural disasters in the United States resulted in over $165 billion in damage. Both of these marks are the 3rd highest ever recorded. In addition, these events resulted in 474 deaths during the year.
Looking back at the last year helps us to understand the dangers we face and the importance of being able to provide assistance. Preparing ahead of time is crucial to being able to respond quickly. Now that we’ve examined 2022, let’s look at what 2023 has in store.
Why You Should Consider Launching a Relief Fund in 2023
2023 is shaping up to be a critical year for those in need of relief. Economic struggles, natural disasters, and ongoing public health crises are all contributing to a growing number of individuals and families facing hardship.
In the first month of the year, there has been extreme winter weather in areas of the United States and around the world. Buffalo, New York, recently received over 50 inches of snow and experienced hurricane-force winds, which resulted in 37 people losing their life due to the conditions.
Similarly, northeastern Japan experienced severe winter storms that brought around 30 inches of snow, leaving 17 people dead and 93 more injured.
Looking ahead, we can only expect more of these disasters to occur, as climate change is contributing to natural disasters occurring more frequently and becoming even more powerful. This has resulted in more frequent and severe storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters, which can leave communities devastated.
In fact, experts predict unprecedented heat waves this year due to the return of El Niño, with 2023 expected to be even hotter than 2022—one of the hottest years on record.
The ongoing economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation continues to affect people all around the world. Millions of workers have lost their jobs and are struggling to make ends meet.
With continued inflation and economic struggles, natural disasters, and personal hardships affecting so many people, launching a relief fund in 2023 can provide critical support to your team members who need it most. That’s why you should put your team first this year by establishing a relief fund. Doing so can provide much-needed support to employees during difficult times. It can also help to foster a sense of community and resilience within your organization.
How Establishing a Relief Fund With EAF in 2023 Can Help Your Organization Support Employees in Need
If you’re interested in making sure your team members are taken care of but are worried about figuring out how to launch a relief fund, we’re here to help!
In the aftermath of disaster or hardship, your organization needs to be able to help impacted team members rebuild and recover from the potentially devastating impact. A relief fund can boost morale and allow for your employees to donate and contribute directly to the support of fellow team members. Establishing a relief fund can alleviate the stress that disasters and hardship put on those within your organization and allow them to stay focused on recovering from the event.
If your organization is interested in launching a relief fund, consider establishing a fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation today. As a financial first responder, we are resourceful and fearless in ensuring that financial assistance reaches individuals in need, no matter the unique circumstances involved.
By establishing a fund with us today, your organization can assist members of your team affected by natural disasters and other hardships. Relief fund grants can help impacted individuals pull through difficult times and start on the path toward recovery. If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can help your team during difficult times, you can review additional information about how a fund works or contact us today. We look forward to helping you make a difference for those who need it most!
