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Communications 

Another important part of disaster relief is getting 
information about the disaster to the outside world. Some 
of this work is done by news reporters, as newspapers, TV 
networks, and news Web sites send journalists to the scene 
of the disaster to tell what happened and what is being 
done to help survivors. 
By bringing the disaster to people's attention, the media 
can help get resources to relief workers. When people 
learn about the damage caused by a disaster, they are more 
likely to donate money, time, and blood to help its victims. 
Millions of people donated such resources to the victims of 
the tsunami that hit southeast Asia in December 2004. 

Disaster victims have many different needs, depending 
on what kind of disaster has happened. Earthquakes often 
injure thousands of people, creating a demand for many 
donations of blood. Blood spoils quickly, even when it's 
refrigerated; and as a result fresh donations are often 
needed to help earthquake victims who need more blood. 
I~ other situations, the greatest need may be creating 
shelter for survivors. For example, inJanuary 2002, a 
volcano erupted near the city of Goma in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo, a country in central Africa, The 
eruption destroyed thousands of homes. What disaster 
relief organizations needed the most was plastic sheeting 
to create simple temporary shelters, along with basic 
household items such as blankets and cooking equipment. 

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