Floods in the UK: Can you help?

A lot of the UK is under water right now. And more rain is forecast. Homes, farms, and whole villages are ruined. Thousands of people are having a really tough time.

On the ground, local charities are springing into action. They are pulling together emergency accommodation, pumping equipment, blankets and food. They are providing comfort and hope to communities in crisis.

The 38 Degrees office team have been in touch with local charities in areas hit by floods – charities like the Somerset Community Foundation, who are supporting flooded communities on the Somerset Levels.

They’ve explained that 38 Degrees members could help with relief efforts across the UK by raising money quickly for the charities working on the ground. Any cash raised now could be spent straight away on help for flood victims.

Donations now will start helping flood-stricken communities within hours. So please can you help by chipping in to the flood relief fund?

38 Degrees staff will work with local charities around the UK to make sure your donation goes straight to the worst hit areas. Our donations will help families and communities get back on their feet as soon as possible.

Here’s what Mary Hancock, deputy chief executive of the Somerset Community Foundation, said:

“As a community foundation our role is to work with grassroots groups to make sure the relief money is going where it is so desperately needed. Donations from 38 Degrees members would be so valuable right now. We will work alongside 38 Degrees staff and our network of community foundations to rebuild flood affected communities.”

Here’s how donations from 38 Degrees members could help:

– Provide emergency relief grants to people whose homes have been flooded to meet the immediate financial burdens of moving out, pumping and drying, and emergency repairs.

– Help those who face additional financial burdens as a result of the flooding, for example through loss of earnings.

– Support local small businesses, charities and community organisations to ensure their survival and swift recovery.

– Support counselling and community services to help people cope with the emotional stress caused by the flooding in the short and medium term.

Please can you chip in right now? Make a secure donation by clicking this link.

There are lots of big questions to be answered about how we can prevent flooding in the future. How can we do more to tackle climate change? How can we improve flood defences? And whose responsibility is it to make sure this doesn’t happen again? But right now homes are underwater and families need our help.

Lots of 38 Degrees members have contacted the office over the last few days to say they want to do something about the floods. Sometimes helping means pressure on politicians to do the right thing. Sometimes, it means offering direct help. In this case, it probably means both – but let’s get started by getting cash where it’s needed this week.

Here is a bit more detail on how 38 Degrees will make sure the money gets to those who need it most:

1. 38 Degrees staff will work closely with local community foundations in areas affected by the floods. These organisations have a track record of supporting local communities, and are already getting on with the job of helping those in need.

2. 38 Degrees will only pass donations on to registered charities – that means every penny spent will be subject to charity regulations and audited by the Charity Commission.

3. The office team will provide a report back to everyone who donates, detailing how the fund has been distributed.

If you can, please chip in here.

One of the things that’s being raised by flood victims is problems with insurance companies. Have you experienced any problems? If so click here.