The Foreign Service Journal, March 2009

M A R C H 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 33 comprehensive list of resources for evacuees at www.state.gov/m/dghr/ flo/c1991.htm. The documents cover practically every aspect of evacua- tions, from checklists of what to bring with you and information about en- rolling kids in school, to advice on when to seek counseling for yourself or your family members. Network with your fellow evac- uees. Your CLO should have contact information for everyone who was evacuated; make sure you have copies of that list before you depart post, if possible. Being able to pick up the phone or send an e-mail will cheer you up more than you can imagine. And if you choose to reside in the D.C. area, you may be able to get together with many of your friends and get your children together with their friends from post. Play the refugee card. Never underestimate strang- ers’ capacity for kindness, and their willingness to help those in need. Ex- ploit that generosity shamelessly. When I was looking for a place to rent during our evacuation, I started out by calling some real estate agents in the area, looking for a furnished, short-term rental. The first woman I spoke to said politely, “I’m sorry, but we don’t deal in rentals,” and was about to hang up. I stopped her and said, with a note of unfeigned desperation in my voice, “Do you know of anyone who does? I’m a refugee here with my two small children and we need a place to stay.” After I briefly explained our situation, she clucked in sympathy, and 30 minutes later called back to say she had found a completely furnished three-bedroom house two blocks from my parents’ home. Even better, the owner, who was former military, was willing to negotiate F O C U S FLO is staffed with remarkably compassionate and experienced people who will go out of their way to help you.