As Eastern Nebraska, United States, experienced record rainfall in late September and early October, the Papio Creek overflowed its deep embankments, causing a 100-year flood in Omaha’s Karen Street neighborhood. Homes were submerged in up to eight feet of water, and some community members do not have insurance policies that cover flood damage.
From October 6–12, more than 20 students and alumni from Union Adventist University's International Rescue and Relief (IRR) program took time away from classes to lend a helping hand. In conjunction with the American Red Cross, which is providing free meals for residents, students went door-to-door to assess damage and work alongside homeowners as they salvage belongings, clear out mud, and remove damaged drywall and carpet.
“This type of flood is definitely no joke to anybody who lives there,” said Aiden Grierson, a sophomore from Lincoln, Nebraska. “It can definitely take a toll on anybody. . . . people lost everything.”
For many of the students, this is not only an opportunity to serve, but to grow. “This is my first disaster response, and I’ve been put in the position of team lead,” said Megan Eckhart, a junior from Angwin, California, United States. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to be a good leader while also understanding the larger context of the disaster response. It’s been really nice having such a great team and learning through the experiences we are having together.”
For Jacob Sauser, a senior from Battleground, Washington, United States, the most meaningful part of the deployment was seeing a community come together. “I love how seeing that amidst the pain and suffering in the situation people are fostering community and love both within IRR and within the neighborhood. Everyone’s actually having a great time and doing all they can to help, but also the residents who have been affected by the disaster are coming together and helping us out, bringing us food, bringing drinks, and working with us.”
Created in 2004, the IRR major remains a one-of-a-kind degree combining rescue certifications, emergency management, global development, and medical training to prepare students to serve in times of crisis. Some students plan to be first responders, while others work in emergency management and international development. Approximately a third of students continue on to medical school. The IRR program’s five-year average for medical school acceptance is currently 100%.
The program’s Disaster Response Team deploys to natural disasters near and far every year, and their work is fully funded by donations.
For photos and videos detailing the students’ work in Omaha, visit the IRR Facebook page.
The original article was published on Union Adventist University's news site.
