Kingnewswire // following devastating fires of Palisades and Eaton, the communities of Los Angeles, California, are faced with immense losses. But in the middle of the rubble, moments of recovery, small but powerful, offer survivors a glimmer of hope.
“The streets of Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Malibu are like a wave of destruction that I had never known before,” said James, Volunteer Minister of Scientology. “There are so many people with a broken heart, desperate people, people who need help.
James is one of the many volunteer ministers who have taken action as soon as the fires broke out. With their partners, the famous Los Topos research and rescue organization, these dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to help families recover their most precious personal property in the charred remains of their homes.
Find a sense of ashes
Whole districts, formerly full of life, today resemble war areas, reduced to smoking vestiges of what was. However, for many survivors, the recovery of a single precious object – an alliance, a childhood memory, a box of family photos – represents an invaluable source of comfort and appeasement.
Among the treasures found is an alliance which belonged to a 90-year-old grandmother who had been evacuated safely but who died shortly after. For his family, this family object has become a precious symbol of continuity and resilience. Another mother expressed her gratitude after volunteers unearthed pottery that his son had made when he was only 13 years old. And for a young woman, a collection of handmade figurines offered a tangible link with her past in the middle of the sorrow of the loss of her house.
An unshakable commitment in favor of support
Since the start of fires, the volunteer ministers have been stationed at the Los Angeles Scientology Church, where they organize the distribution of food, water and basic need for evacuation centers, churches and homes disaster. Their efforts go beyond immediate help, also focusing on emotional and psychological support to help families rebuild their lives.
The volunteer ministers’ program, founded over thirty years ago by L. Ron Hubbard, is based on the conviction that individuals can make significant changes in their communities. From September 11 to the tsunami in Southeast Asia, including the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the group played an active role in global aid efforts, constantly demonstrating its motto: “We can do something” .
Volunteer ministers responded to disasters around the world, including in Europe. In Spain, they provided crucial aid following the floods in Valence. In Italy, they helped communities devastated by earthquakes, offering both material aid and emotional support. In the Czech Republic, they played a crucial role by helping the inhabitants recovering devastating floods. These efforts echo the work accomplished in Los Angeles and testify to a global commitment to humanitarian aid and help in the event of a disaster.
Rebuild and move forward
Fires having made at least 29 victims – 12 for the fire of Palisades and 17 for the fire of Eaton – and consumed more than 40,000 acres of housing, companies and cultural sites, the path of reconstruction will be long and difficult. According to ABC News, the two fires were completely circumscribed after burning for 24 days. The Guardian also reports that more than 16,000 structures have been destroyed and that insured losses are estimated between $ 28 and $ 75 billion. According to VOX, total economic damage could reach $ 275 billion, which would make this most expensive natural disaster in the history of the United States.
However, the resilience of the Los Angeles communities, supported by the dedication of humanitarian organizations such as the volunteer ministers, offers a glimmer of hope.
While the city is starting to rebuild itself, these volunteers remain faithful to their mission of supporting people in need, proving that even in the face of devastation, the human spirit continues. People wishing to help find more information or help by visiting the resource center of the Los Angeles Fire Ministers at the Los Angeles Scientology Church.
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