[2017-09-07] How Bitcoin Rescued Victims of Hurricane Harvey

[gokayc]

The International Cherch of Blerk, a registered crypto-based 501(c)(3), and recognized religion, is revolutionizing peer to peer charitable works. They are using crypto currency to target aid where it’s needed most.
Hurricane Harvey

After Huricane Harvey struck South Texas, Cherch of Blerk Executive Director Jason Seibert, along with Blerk Medical Director, Dr. Rhiana Ireland, loaded up a truck with a chainsaw, generator, fuel, water and coffee and drove as far into the storm as they could. They finally arrived in Bay City, Texas in the heart of hard-hit Matagorda County after dodging tornadoes and plowing through pouring rain.

In the following days, Seibert and Ireland coordinated the creation of several shelters in the Galveston County area.

Dr. Ireland was recognized nationally for her life saving efforts in JEMS (the Journal of Emergency Medicine). Seibert implemented infectious disease control protocols in food service and meal plans, ran a makeshift kitchen, and produced nearly 12,000 meals for four shelters. Blerk ran all the efforts, advising local officials on how to proceed and how to create new shelters. Blerk even ran medical supplies between shelters as the Red Cross was nowhere to be found.
Bitcoin to the rescue

While running supplies, Blerk's trucks died. With only a few hours’ notice, Blerk found a truck on the north side of Houston, however, wire transfer of funds was not possible due to the limitations of banks and the time of day. Relying on banks would mean that Blerk would have no transportation for five days..

Jason Seibert contacted Robert Gonzalez, founder of the over the counter (OTC) trading company UTXO, LLC. Gonzalez collaborated with Jesse Wilkinson, a well-known OTC trader in Dallas/Fort Worth area, for a solution. Jason liquidated personal crypto assets through Rob and Jesse, who are registered with FinCEN, and had cash in the dealer's hand in less than four hours.

Apparently, when banks fail, crypto wins. Blerk made peer-to-peer aid happen when traditional financial institutions failed.


https://cointelegraph.com/news/how-bitcoin-rescued-victims-of-hurricane-harvey

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[iamTom123]

Wow! This is a very heartwarming and exciting story to read not just because of the catastrophic results which typhoon Harvey had done to the area but because of the many possibilities that can happen with this story as an example. This is showing us how Bitcoin can indeed be of big help when all other alternatives have already failed.

Just like what is happening right now in Venezuela, Bitcoin can be that ray of hope in times of hardships and difficulties. After Harvey, we might be reading similar stories on the aftermath of the currently typhoon Irma battering now the Caribbean islands and possibly targeting Florida and nearby areas.

Bitcoin can become synonymous with hope, courage and action in times of crisis...and this is the kind of image that we should be promoting for Bitcoin aside from its usual functionalities and uses.

Good job, Bitcoin!

[ivanpoldark]

Wow, was a heart-warming story. That situation definitely shows us that banking payment system already become hopelessly outdated and risks becoming totally irrelevant. Business and consumers nowadays require fast, cheap transactions, which would not be dependent from human working hours.

[Kemarit]

This is really good news to hear after what we see the damaged done by Hurricane Harvey. This is another example that bitcoin can really help in this trying times, like in Venezuela an now this event. This will carry a lot of weight that indeed crypto is not only used for some 'illegal' activities but can be harness for the good of humanity. I hope a lot of people will now realized and changed their views regarding bitcoin and crypto in general. Maybe this could also set a precedent on how to deal with situations when banking system was a total failure. And this is another challenge for most people on the area and I hope they can recover soon with the help of crypto. God Bless.

[AnubisStar]

It's such a wonderful feeling to read things like this, I don't have a lot of trust in religions, especially if they are involved with money but this kind of humans gestures always make me think about faith in people and what they can do mainly in dangerous situations or misfortunes.
Also it's really impressive how Bitcoin itself can help people this days, even those who are not directly connected with crypto currency (because I can imagine that many people who were affected by this huricane and then helped don't really know what Bitcoin is) I mean its power and impact is big and surprising. So I would like to see how far this can go!

[treihon]

It is admirable when people dedicate their efforts and knowledge to help others in trouble and really make a difference. In this particular case Bitcoin saved the day and that is very good news. Like everything, it all depends on the good use people give to innovations other than for bad purposes.

[BitHodler]

That's the beauty of Bitcoin, it doesn't rely on any central authority to keep working, and in situations like these, it perfectly demonstrates how the traditional financial system is severely lagging behind.

I however find it a sad thing that stories like these aren't being covered by the mainstream media. It would allow the entire world to see how useful something like Bitcoin can be when banks can't provide proper services.

Bitcoin isn't restricted to whatever entity, working hours, governments, banks, and the list goes on ~ it's just an internet connection that you need to start transacting in whatever quantity you want, and with whoever you want.

[akeegan]

It's always so awesome to see how this community can be used for good. Great effort and idea.