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 catalyst¹ for one organization to rise out of the rubble² and not only help those affected³ 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, killing⁴ 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 standing⁵ 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 applied⁶ to make the world a better place.

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

1 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

2 rubble   

n.（一堆）碎石，瓦砾

参考例句：

• After the earthquake,it took months to clean up the rubble.地震后，花了数月才清理完瓦砾。
• After the war many cities were full of rubble.战后许多城市到处可见颓垣残壁。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。