Disaster

We are in the aftermath of a disaster, here in San Pablo. A landslide coursed down the side ofthe volcano through an area several hundred feet wide, taking with it about 15 homes. 150 families have been homeless for 5 days, because their houses are completely gone - with all their belongings and in many instances their livelihoods - or because it's still dangerous to return, or their house is still standing but full of mud; and of course the road is blocked.
All of this within a 1/2 mile of my house. The destruction is awesome...in the traditional way of using that word.
Today I met with a couple of mothers who are staying in the makeshift homeless shelters in a church and at the Muni center. Two of them had only the clothes they escaped in. I'm trying to understand the needs, and also the best avenue to get any donation to the people in greatest need. They say donated items are going to friends of the people in charge of the city; that rarely does anything reach its intended recipient. Because there are perhaps only 15 families left with nothing, I think a personal approach may be possible. Meet with them, ask what they need for now, and get it for them. The need for a new house and land is of course out of my reach; but someone I trust is in charge of restoration efforts here and is collecting money from local people. So if I can deal with now; they can deal with later. And I'll help how I can.
So for today it was underwear.
Tomorrow towels and shampoo.
And I think coloring books and crayons are in order as well.