Olusegun Ariyo
Residents of Los Angeles have said that they are not waiting for the government to provide aid amid wildfires sweeping across California.
They said they are donating food and clothing to those whose homes had been destroyed by the fire, RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
The fires raging in Los Angeles had already claimed dozens of lives, leaving many more without a roof over their heads.
The latter are supposed to receive humanitarian aid, which was being collected in many neighbourhoods and sometimes even on the side of the road.
While Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had urged people to search online for information on emergencies, shelters, and resources, locals were bringing food, clothing and diapers.
Even dog foods were being brought to the nearest relief sites.
Some volunteers even started cooking.
At the same time, as California Governor, Gavin Newsom tried to rally city officials and local businesses to help rebuild the city for the 2028 Olympic Games, people were lining up at relief centres.
He said victims of the fires were actively visiting humanitarian sites to get needed items, some food, or a shower but the supply does not seem to be running out.
The roads leading to the sites of the worst fires are decorated with posters giving directions to the relief spots or the nearby shelter for those left without homes.
“We are just helping the community, people who lost their homes with the fire last Friday,’’ one of the volunteers, Jose, told RIA Novosti.
He also said that volunteers acted mostly on their own, without help from the government, and only the National Guard and Sheriff’s Department are protecting homes from looters.
“A lot of people have come and donated food, water, clothes, and shoes. We have been here since last Friday trying to help everybody who can come and get whatever they need,’’ Jose said.
The volunteer also said the fire, which was the worst fire he had seen in his whole life, came to his neighbourhood with strong winds.
