She had valiantly shouldered with her husband an unimaginable burden. It was from words threaded together with hope and doubt, that she stitched together a touching phrase that captured the weight she bore - “I just want to go home.”

It was eight months ago that a powerful and historic storm wreaked havoc in Scotland and raged through Angus with a devastating impact on Brechin residents and businesses. At least 400 properties across the Angus area, mostly in Brechin were gutted.

I recently sat down with the woman who movingly said she simply wanted to ‘go home’ as she sat by her husband. Her words came at the end of a meeting that myself, Global Scot and UWS colleague, Yekemi Otaru, Keith Anderson a retiree from Dundee, Angus Council officials and partners had with her and others impacted by the storm.

People and families were left deeply hurting and vulnerable by Storm Babet. Some lost their lives and many suffered trauma, health issues, and economic hardship. Many of those impacted were elderly.

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In a season of assessing the value of government services, I give strong marks for the immediate local response of the Angus Council. After the storm, Angus Council and partners immediately went to work in shaping a swift response of recovery to an incredibly difficult disaster recovery. That spirit of service has continued.

The Angus Council has shown great sensitivity and compassion throughout this ordeal. They have offered a real service model of what local government can and should be at its core – committed to serving the vulnerable and addressing the health and well-being of local citizens. The Council have also forged partnerships and dialogue with the Scottish Government which remains active.

Governments need volunteers and supporters in times of community disaster relief and clean-up. Resources are limited in terms of people and monies. They cannot do it alone. In this case, Brechin needed support well beyond what the Angus Council could provide. A local charity called the Brechin Buccaneers immediately stepped forward. Grant Hutchison, alongside a dedicated team, dedicated hundreds of hours in the immediate aftermath of Babet in rendering services and raising funds. Critical emergency funds were gathered, and a physical and spiritual safe haven of comfort was provided to victims. The outpouring of support was far and wide, even reaching overseas. These efforts are ongoing, and there is still much work to do.

As a GlobalScot, Scottish American writer, and advocate for international diaspora mobilisation living in the Washington, DC area, the connection of my supporting Brechin and the Angus region following this disaster may not be immediately apparent. First and foremost, I love the people and communities across the East of Scotland. Another reason is that I passionate about the power of diaspora. One significant benefit of mobilising the Scottish global diaspora is the charitable and philanthropic giving that will result. In this example, brave individuals in Brechin and the surrounding communities are still facing hardship and are vulnerable. The scale of resources needed to most effectively meet the existing challenges are lacking. Enter the diaspora.

My message from the beginning of this disaster has been that those in the Scottish diaspora and Friends of Scotland network have a duty and responsibility to provide support to communities in Scotland in need. This network has always been hugely generous and is increasingly growing across the world. They are giving both in time and resources. The Scottish Government and networks such as GlobalScot are putting real energy into harnessing and unleashing that energy. The new UK Government would be wise to invest in effective ways to mobilise the global diasporas of the nations and unique regions that comprise the rich identity of the UK. Doing so will enhance commerce, trade, tourism, art, education, and sport. It will also have implications for the charitable and social sectors that are addressing the needs of those who are exposed. Charitable giving will rise - lives will be improved and protected in communities like Brechin and beyond.

Scottish poet and author Kathleen Jamie once said, “You are placed in landscape, you are placed in time. But, within that, there’s a bit of room for manoeuvre. To some extent, you can be the author of your own fate.” We are each empowered with the ability to manoeuvre through life – one of the most fulfilling pivots is to turn ourselves toward those in need. Brechin still needs us. Let’s rally. Whether we are in Scotland, the US, or anywhere in the world, let’s help that resilient woman get home.

Ian Houston has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of the West of Scotland and honorary Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.