It is a peaceful afternoon. Visitors walk through the streets of Jiji, a small town in Taiwan's Nantou County. As they enjoy their holiday, it may be hard for some of them to imagine that this location was once the site of terrible destruction and grief. On September 21, 1999, one of the worst earthquakes in Taiwan's history caused tremendous suffering to the whole island. As the epicenter of the earthquake, Jiji was destroyed overnight and lay in ruins. It took years to rebuild this beautiful town. The reconstruction did not result from the residents' hard work and effort alone, though. Continuous assistance from outside sources played another vital role.

Thanks to live news broadcasts on TV, most people can get a rough idea of how serious the damage is soon after a natural disaster strikes. Although people are eager to help out, they may not really know the most appropriate kind of assistance during the different phases of recovery in a disaster area. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, donations of food, clean water, and clothescan be most helpful. However, victims' needs change over time. Some may need building materials as they begin to reconstruct their homes. Others may need textbooks as they return to school. What's more, victims may need help with their daily activities, such as taking care of young children or the elderly. Therefore, those who want to help the survivors of a natural disaster should pay continuous attention to the victims' ever-dhanging needs.

In addition to physical help, emotional support is also important during the recovery process. Victims of a natural disaster often experience a wide variety of negative emotional reactions after a disaster. Most survivors feel extremely anxious and insecure, fearing that another disaster might strike anytime. Those who have lost their family may feel deeply depressed and lose the will to go on with their lives. They often think that they could have tried harder to save their family. Some of them even believe that if they had died, their family could have survived. At times like these, emotional support serves as the best medicome for their sorrow. Listening to these victims can bring them much comfort. Even a small gesture like going for a walk with them helps to relieve their anxiety. As their lives gradually return to normal, words of encouragement can help them face the difficulties ahead in a positive way.