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The Fukushima nuclear disaster -

The nuclear disaster on March 11, 2011, at Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, ranks as the largest nuclear accident since Chernobyl. It resulted in the release of radiation into both the atmosphere and the water. 

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The Fukushima nuclear disaster -

Following the disaster, over 200 retired Japanese workers formed The Skilled Veterans Corps. They volunteered to manage the nuclear disaster instead of younger workers, believing that the harmful effects of radiation would likely take decades to manifest, giving them a much lower chance of experiencing them.

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Two New Yorkers mobilized 1,300 volunteers -

During the Covid-19 quarantine, countless individuals were stuck in their homes without contact with the outside world. Elderly people were particularly affected by their inability to take care of themselves without access to medicine and everyday necessities.

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Two New Yorkers mobilized 1,300 volunteers -

Liam Elkind and Simone Policano founded a network called 'Invisible Hands.' They recruited community members who were least at risk for contracting COVID-19 to provide services to the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Their initiative highlighted the power of community and the spirit of helping those in need.

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The lifeboat that returned to save the victims -

On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg en route from Southampton to New York City. As the largest ship afloat at the time, it carried 2,224 people. The disaster claimed over 1,500 lives, making it one of the most devastating peacetime commercial naval disasters in history.

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The lifeboat that returned to save the victims -

Among the Titanic's survivors was Harold Lowe, the ship’s fifth officer, who bravely operated lifeboat No.14 during the disaster. Not only did he gather a group of boats to save more people without overloading them, but he was also the only officer to return to the wreck, successfully rescuing three more souls from the freezing waters of the Atlantic. 

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Hurricane Harvey's unsung heroes -

This devastating tropical cyclone struck Texas and Louisiana in August 2017, resulting in catastrophic flooding and over 100 deaths. It matched 2005's Hurricane Katrina as the costliest tropical cyclone on record, causing $125 billion (2017 USD) in damage, primarily from torrential rainfall-induced flooding in Greater Houston and Southeast Texas.

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Hurricane Harvey's unsung heroes -

Nick Sheridan and two other truck drivers drove their tractor-trailers over 200 miles to rescue more than 1,000 people, according to ABC News. Additionally, the trio rescued 50 dogs, and Sheridan adopted two of them, demonstrating the impact of compassion and quick action during a crisis.

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The handshake of empathy -

The rhetoric surrounding HIV/AIDS in the 1980s starkly contrasts with today's understanding. Throughout the first decade since its discovery in 1981, a lack of public knowledge about transmission led to those contracting the life-threatening disease being isolated from society and subjected to seclusion and prejudice.

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The handshake of empathy -

In 1987, during an official visit to a London hospital, Princess Diana met patients with AIDS and was photographed shaking hands with one of them without wearing gloves. This single act of compassion challenged the widespread myth that HIV/AIDS could be transmitted through touch and led to a significant shift in the public's perception of the disease.

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Acts of humanity in war -

Iowan Elmer "Curly" Richardson was a US sergeant at the Battle of the Bulge on the Belgium-Germany border. After being shot in the stomach, he was eventually captured by the Germans, and despite being on opposite sides, Richardson's story is a testament to the unexpected acts of humanity in the darkest times.

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Acts of humanity in war -

Richardson ended up on the operating table of a German doctor named Ludwig Gruber. As an enemy combatant, he was not entitled to the same care as a wounded German, or so the hospital's commanding officers told Ludwig. The doctor ignored them as a reminder that compassion can transcend even the fiercest conflicts.

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Saving lives instead of taking them -

Desmond Doss, an American combat medic, voluntarily enlisted in World War II but refused to engage in combat due to his religious beliefs as a conscientious objector. Despite facing peer pressure and abuse from military leaders, he steadfastly refused to carry weapons and demonstrated heroic enthusiasm in rescuing wounded soldiers.

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Saving lives instead of taking them -

Doss's heroic actions during the Battle of Okinawa earned him legendary status. He managed to carry 75 wounded infantrymen to relative safety, despite being wounded four times himself. In recognition of his incredible bravery and selflessness, Doss was awarded The Medal of Honor in 1945 by President Harry S. Truman.

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Heroes amidst Hurricane Katrina's havoc -

When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the eastern Gulf Coast, volunteers were desperately needed everywhere. "Anybody wants to go help the people of New Orleans, please come to the Acadiana Mall," a Louisiana journalist told CBS News. 

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Heroes amidst Hurricane Katrina's havoc -

The authorities expected around  25 boats, but between 350 and 400 boats people showed up with their boats to help. Hundreds of volunteers, later known as the Louisiana Cajun Navy, rallied to rescue more than 10,000 people who were trapped by the floodwaters, showcasing extraordinary bravery and community spirit during one of the most challenging times.

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Resilience in the face of disaster -

After a catastrophic earthquake and fires devastated San Francisco in 1906, leaving 3,000 dead and countless homeless, Anna Amelia Holshouser and a friend found themselves seeking refuge. They set up camp in Golden Gate Park, showcasing remarkable resilience amidst the chaos, as highlighted in Rebecca Solnit's book 'A Paradise Built in Hell.'

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Resilience in the face of disaster -

In the midst of chaos, Anna Amelia Holshouser didn't just survive—she thrived and cared for her community. Crafting a makeshift tent from fabric scraps, she provided shelter for 22 people, including children. Her soup kitchen began feeding 200-300 people daily.

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United against Ebola -

The latest Ebola outbreak has tragically claimed 9,162 lives. Despite the heartache, it's been uplifting to witness the international community band together to combat the virus and support the affected nations. This collaborative spirit offers a beacon of hope in challenging times.

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United against Ebola -

From across the globe, people have rallied to donate money, supplies, and their time since the first outbreak in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. While this collective action is uplifting, the battle against Ebola isn't over yet.

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Nurses in the 1918 pandemic -

The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic infected a third of the world’s population and claimed between 50 to 100 million lives, including around 675,000 Americans. Amid the chaos, nurses from the Visiting Nurse Society of Philadelphia were on the front lines, making home visits and handling 20-30 cases a day.

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Nurses in the 1918 pandemic -

One report details a brave nurse finding a six-week-old baby who hadn't been bathed for four days, wet and cold in a crib beside its sick mother. The nurse cared for the sick, made a wood fire on the stove, and prepared food for the other children. She then found a kind neighbor to continue looking after the children.

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The creation of the United Nations -

After the Second World War (1939-45), which was one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history, the United Nations was formed in 1945 to replace the ineffective League of Nations with the goal of promoting international cooperation.

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The creation of the United Nations -

Today, with 193 member states, the UN is on a mission to keep the peace, champion human rights, drive social and economic growth, safeguard our planet, and offer global humanitarian assistance during crises like famine, natural disasters, and conflicts.

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The Geneva War Convention -

The Battle of Solferino, fought on June 24, 1859, was a pivotal clash in the Second Italian War of Independence, involving nearly 260,000 soldiers. Among those who witnessed its devastating aftermath was Swiss businessman Henry Dunant, who happened to be passing through Solferino on a business trip.

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The Geneva War Convention -

Overcome by the devastation he witnessed, Dunant mobilized local civilians to assist the wounded, securing funds for a field hospital. He played a crucial role in the 1864 Geneva War Convention and founded the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863. His commitment to humanitarianism was recognized when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

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The US Red Cross's response to 9/11 -

September 11, 2001, stands as a dark chapter in American history. In the wake of this tragedy, the Red Cross launched a nationwide relief effort that persisted for years, enlisting over 57,000 team members, most of whom were volunteers, including many who joined the organization for the very first time.

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The US Red Cross' response to 9/11 -

More than two decades on, many dedicated team members cite 9/11 as the driving force behind their ongoing commitment to the Red Cross. The memories they carry from that day blend deep sorrow with hopeful resilience, standing as a testament to human compassion and solidarity in times of crisis.

Sources: (Baba-Mail) (Business Insider) (History.com) (Global Citizen) (Upworthy)

See also: 60 ways to serve your community

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