Natural disasters affect the lives of many thousands of people each year in the United States, South & Central America, Europe, Asia, South-West Pacific, and other countries. Within minutes, a natural disaster can rip apart a community, and change the lives of its residents forever. People who understand disasters and know what to do beforehand and after a disaster hits can significantly reduce disaster deaths and property damage.

4 the World seeks to help the world's people by developing volunteer Medical Teams, and Search and Rescue Teams (SAR) to work in the various countries we serve. Providing Search and Rescue Teams is contingent upon our ability to sign-up qualified volunteers such as firefighters, law enforcement personnel, and military experts. Another goal is to collect and send donated items to help people around the world who are directly affected by hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. In addition, we seek to raise funds for special projects such as building schools, orphanages, libraries, clinics, hospitals and ecological projects. 4 the World relies solely on volunteers to accomplish its mission. Because of the ever-increasing need to help people who are either impoverished, or devastated by natural disasters, we are continually recruiting volunteers that we can train to assist us with our humanitarian efforts.

The tropical cyclone of a hurricane originates in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea and produces constant winds in excess of 74mph. When a hurricane comes ashore; it brings high winds, heavy rains, flooding and a dome of water known as the storm surge. A hurricane can develop winds in excess of 100mph. Hurricane rains cause the extensive flooding that is responsible for most hurricane deaths. High winds can push ocean water up rivers to make the flooding even more pronounced. Learn how to prepare for and survive Hurricanes.

Floods are responsible for the majority of the damage caused by natural disasters. Floods can occur in floodplains during periods of intense and prolonged rainfall. The spring thaw can also cause ice to jam streams and rivers, thereby forcing the runoff into the floodplain. Flash floods will often occur with little or no warning after a sudden downpour or when a large amount of water is released due to a dam or levee failure. The severity of a flood is affected by both the rate of rainfall and the duration of the rainfall. Learn how to prepare for and survive Floods.

Earthquakes can occur at any time without warning, typically at the boundaries between tectonic plates. Earthquakes cause severe shaking, sudden "jolting" and "rolling" motions of the earth. Earthquakes can cause severe damage to bridges and buildings and even cause them to collapse and in worst cases the loss of human life. Secondary effects such as fires, landslides and tsunamis are also common after an earthquake . Learn how to prepare for and survive an Earthquake.

"Tsunami" is the Japanese word meaning tidal wave. A tidal wave is a large sea wave caused by a submarine earthquake or volcanic explosion. When the ocean floor is tilted or offset during an earthquake, a set of waves is created. Usually tsunamis move entirely across an ocean to the shore. A tsunami can have wavelengths of 60 to 120 mi and may reach speeds of 800 km/h. When the wave enters shallow waters, the wave, which may have been half a meter high out at sea, grows rapidly. When the wave reaches the shore, it may be 50 ft. high or more. Tsunamis have incredible energy because of the great volume of water affected. They bring waves of destruction capable of killing thousands of residents along the coast. Towering walls of water have struck populated coastlines with such fury that entire towns have been destroyed. Learn how to prepare for and survive a Tsunami.

Volcanoes are very destructive, especially if there is a town nearby. The lava creates a path of destruction for anything in its way. As the lava races down the slope it destroys vegetation, animals habitats and the wildlife, and even homes and businesses. In areas near volcanoes, scientists monitor the volcanoes to prevent the deaths of many people. Almost every year there are fifty eruptions on land. The ash fills the air, blocking the sun and contaminating the air. These effects last for years. Learn how to prepare for and survive a volcano.