9/11 Proves a Catalyst for NGOs to Help Those Affected by the Tragedy

It's been 10 years now since the attacks on September 11, 2001 that killed thousands in America. For families and friends of those killed, the pain is still raw.

However, the tragedy has proved a catalyst 1 for one organization to rise out of the rubble 2 and not only help those affected 3 by the events of 9/11, but also other victims of disasters across the world.

Dominic Swire brings us this report from New York.

 

September the 11th, 2001. America is under attack.

Two passenger jets slam into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, killing 4 thousands.

Ten years on, the pain is still there for families of those killed.

"You never ever move on from losing a child. You can never heal the hole in your heart. But you can go forward. Accept the tragedy and go forward, although the tragedy will always be part of our lives."

New York residents Allan and Elizabeth lost their 24 year old son Aaron that day. He was working for investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald.

"We were hoping he was in hospital. Then we had a meeting with Cantor Fitzgerald where the owner Howard Lutnic told us the truth. He was standing 5 at the bottom of the building. He arrived late and couldn't get up the stairs. He asked everyone that came out what floor they came from. And the highest floor he heard anyone coming from was 91st floor. He said our son was 104. And he said the truth is no one above the 91st floor got out alive."

For families of those lost, nothing can bring back their loved ones.

But one organization was able to rise out of the rubble and help families of those affected come to terms with the tragedy.

"We were both very distraught. We didn't know how to deal with it. He went to work and never came home. It tore apart our life. I remember the door of the World Cares Centre was always open. You could just walk in. It felt like walking into arms stretched out. People were very nice and there were plenty of hugs. We were suffering so much. It was wonderful to have people that cared."

Lisa Orloff founded the center. As well as organizing a support group for those affected by the events of 9/11, the organization has grown to help people across the world prepare and cope with disaster when it strikes. The inspiration for doing this came from Lisa's experience as one of the first helpers to reach the site of the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack.

"The problem is local people were not trained in disaster management. That's what we found when there were terrorist attacks on New York. Close to 100,000 volunteers came to help. There was a lot of confusion. No handbooks. People had to decide how to manage that instant."

The World Cares Center is just one of many charities formed in the aftermath of 9/11. Ten years on, this is a time not just to remember those lost and affected by the tragedy, but also on how lessons learnt from this event can be applied 6 to make the world a better place.

Reporting for CRI in New York, I'm Dominic Swire.