Aiding Japan

[Molly53]

There’s nothing positive about the disaster and aftermath that’s occurring in Japan. What can be positive is your contribution. Here are some ways to help, thanks to The Huffington Post (links are bolded):


How To Help Japan: Earthquake Relief Options

Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90,999 to donate $10 from your phone. Save the Children has also responded. Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization released a statement, saying:
“We are extremely concerned for the welfare of children and their families who have been affected by the disaster. We stand ready to meet the needs of children who are always the most vulnerable in a disaster.”

The organization is currently organizing efforts and donations to its Children’s Emergency Fund will support outreach.

UNICEF is also coordinating efforts to help the children of Japan. USE THIS FORM on UNICEF’s website to donate 100 percent of your desired amount to their fund designated for victims of the earthquake or text JAPAN to 864233 to donate $10.

International Medical Corps is responding to the health needs of the disaster’s victims. Nancy Aossey, President & CEO, International Medical Corps said in a statement:
“We are putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities.”

To donate or learn about other ways you can contribute to its medical response, visit International Medical Corps. Also, text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.

The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched at GlobalGiving.org to garner funds that will be given to a variety of relief organizations helping victims of the earthquake. It has already raised over $100,000, particularly from concerned Twitter users around the world. The project page explains:
"We are working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground to provide support. Our partners on the ground are working hard to provide immediate relief."

Salvation Army personnel are organizing efforts in Tokyo and will soon send a team to help the severely damaged city of Sendai, Japan.
•Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
•Text the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. (Please ensure that you respond “YES” to the Thank You message you receive or else your donation will not go through.)
•By mail: Send your check, marked “Japan earthquake relief” to
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
Monetary funds offer the greatest flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is sending two three-person teams to the Iwate and Miyagi prefectures in Japan. To learn more about the organization’s efforts or make a donation, visit Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Other relief organizations are also sending representatives to disaster sites, including AmeriCares and Shelterbox.

MercyCorps is gathering donations for its overseas partner, Peace Winds Japan, which currently has personnel on the ground distributing emergency relief in Japan.

Along with an appeal for monetary donations, Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. If you can and are interested in donating bulk medical items, visit OpUSA.org. Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA’s relief efforts in Japan.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare will soon be deploying a team to assess needs regarding animal rescue. Dick Green, the organization’s emergency relief manager for disasters, wrote on IFAW’s blog:

“As we saw most recently in Haiti, major disasters require long-term planning and a concerted effort between NGO and governmental ranks to ensure that the greatest number of animals and humans benefit from the intervention.”

They are encouraging support through donations, which will be used to buy pet food, veterinary supplies, vaccines and other necessities for animals needing help.

For any who have loved ones abroad, Google has stepped up to help. Along with a tsunami alert posted on its front page, Google has launched the Person Finder: 2011 Japan Earthquake to help connect people that may have been displaced due to the disaster. Google has also launched a crisis response page filled with local resources and emergency information.

Judy Chang, head of PayPal’s nonprofit group, announced that transactional fees incurred by money transfers to US 501(c)(3) organizations (or charities registered with the Canada Revenue Agency) between March 11 and April 10 will aid relief efforts in Japan.

World Vision has announced global mobilization in response to tsunami warnings. Geoff Shepherd, the organization’s humanitarian and emergency affairs director for the Asia-Pacific region, released a statement on World Vision’s website, saying:
“We’ve also alerted our Global Rapid Response Team and have put team members on standby for possible deployment to affected areas. This could be a very serious disaster in multiple countries and our staff are prepared to respond.”

To verify any charity, type the name in on the searchline at:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/

[supdog]

I, personally won't be sending them a dime. We already rebuilt their country once after they lost WWII. How much of China, Hawaii, and the Phillipines did they rebuild after attacking and/or occupying those places? For years they have flooded our market with their products while refusing to let our products into their country. Let Sony, Honda, Toshiba, Toyota and other multi-million dollar Japanese corporations foot the bill. They are one of the richest nations in the world.

[Molly53]

WWJD

FYI, Japan did make reparations to war-damaged countries.
From Wikipedia: According to the Treaty of Peace with Japan and the bilateral agreements, Japan agreed to pay around 1 trillion and 30 billion yen. For countries that renounced any reparations from Japan, it agreed to pay indemnity and/or grants in accordance with bilateral agreements.

Since the war, Japanese policy is aimed at assuming international responsibilities commensurate with its position as a global economic power.

The country offers foreign aid to poor countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. By 1987, Japan had become the largest bilateral donor in twenty-nine countries. The largest use of Japan's aid is for economic infrastructure (transportation, communications, river development, and energy development) in those parts of the world.

During Hurricane Katrina's aftermath here in the USA, private and corporate Japanese donations totaled over $13 million. One Japanese individual, donated USD $1 million from his personal funds to Katrina relief efforts.

Maybe it's time to cut them some slack.

[Zurie]

supdog wrote:
I, personally won't be sending them a dime. We already rebuilt their country once after they lost WWII. How much of China, Hawaii, and the Phillipines did they rebuild after attacking and/or occupying those places? For years they have flooded our market with their products while refusing to let our products into their country. Let Sony, Honda, Toshiba, Toyota and other multi-million dollar Japanese corporations foot the bill. They are one of the richest nations in the world.

Gee ... I dropped into this forum to see if there was any discussion on the disaster ... sees Molly's helpful letter --

And then your nasty reply, Supdog.

You're dealing here with the unimaginable suffering of ordinary human beings -- not politics and commerce.

How uncharitable of you. How very mean-spirited of you to post that. Please hope that you and your family never desperately need similar help and assistance. It could happen.

[supdog]

You guys are right, I'm sorry about the post. It was just a bad day for me. My family has been hit hard by the recession, work is hard to find,and I'm very close to losing my home. It just seems like America is more concerned about other countries than solving the problems here at home.

[**Tinkerbell**]

That's a very nice apology, supdog. I know times are tough for all of us. We lost my DH's job selling lumber - top salesman in five states - when the market crashed. I'm going back to full time work now, but it took us a year and a half to get him a new job. It's been very hard trying to survive and keep our children's spirits up. But I still feel so much heartache for citizens of disaster because they have hearts and are struggling along with the rest of us. Political motives and agendas aside, we are all simply human beings trying to find our place in this life and provide for our future generations so they won't have to struggle when we aren't here to care for them anymore.
I'm getting emotional. I'd better stop now before I drown my keyboard. lol


*Tink

[Molly53]

supdog wrote:
You guys are right, I'm sorry about the post. It was just a bad day for me. My family has been hit hard by the recession, work is hard to find,and I'm very close to losing my home. It just seems like America is more concerned about other countries than solving the problems here at home.

Nice apology, Supdog. I hope things go better for you soon.

[JoyfulCook]

Relax, we find that here in the UK while they are cutting back on pensioners benefits, and raising taxes, gas, etc etc… they can suddenly find millions to help out! its a crazy world, its always great to help others in need, but we seem to come last in the chain to be helped.

Regards Japan, its such a tragedy -

[Stella Mae]

We all need to help each other in this world regardless of politics. I lived in Japan for twenty-two years. It is a wonderful country, and I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could. As it is, I am content to go back as often as possible for visits, and then mosey on over to my other beloved country, China, while I'm at it. I am flabbergasted by what has happened to Japan.

During the Kobe earthquake, what we noticed -- and I'll bet it's the same thing now -- that it is the churches that are Johnny-on-the-spot. One man came to a food stand outside a church during that Kobe earthquake and said to one of the volunteers, "You are not charging for the soup?" He couldn't believe it, so he called other people who had no money to come get a good meal. As long as the blankets lasted, each person was given a warm blanket. Yes, the churches do wonderful work in times of crises.

My home church in Japan is Tokyo Union Church, and we used to feed the homeless once a month and provided warm clothing at Xmas and special rice balls for New Year's celebrations. I know what this church is doing, now, and they are in the thick of it in helping all they can.

I heartily recommend the Salvation Army, too, because they are "hands on", out there in the trenches so to speak and helping through food, blankets, clothing and medical care.

Physicians Without Borders is fantastic. Originally a French organization, they are joined by doctors and nurses from all over the world to go anywhere they are needed to give the most excellent care. I saw them at work in a refugee camp in Thailand, so I know they are there right now in Japan.

Please help in any way that you can.

[**Tinkerbell**]

That's beautiful, Stella Mae. I agree wholeheartedly. One of the acupuncturists I used to office manage for is married to a doctor that is involved in Doctors Without Borders and they go anywhere and everywhere they're needed. It takes amazing people like him to risk their own lives and health to do that work, but it also takes all the rest of us putting in whatever time or money we can to make things better for those in need.
I hope your friends and family in Japan are safe.
((hugs))

*Tink

[Leggy Peggy]

My heart is breaking for so many places in the world.
Japan is suffering, many parts of Australia are suffering.
Libya is suffering too.

Many of the people in all these places are just like us.
They have the same hopes, desires and values.
They want peace, they want their children to grow and prosper,
they want clean air, clean water, clean food and YES
they want clean government too.

I feel honoured to support them in any way that I can.