How to Help Japan

What can you do to help the people of Japan whose country has been devastated by a tsunami resulting from one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded? 

On Friday, President Obama released a statement sending his “deepest condolences” and promising support to the stricken country. “The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial,” the president said.

Many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief to those affected by the disaster.

 The Red Cross has already launched efforts in Japan. Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 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 group is currently organizing efforts and donations to its Children's Emergency Fund will support outreach.

International Medical Corps is responding to the health needs of the disaster’s victims. President Nancy Aossey 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 their medical response, visit Internationalmedicalcorps.org. 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 for relief organizations helping victims and has already raised thousands, 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. To contribute to earthquake relief, text  “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

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 their efforts or make a donation, visit doctorswithoutborders.org.

Along with an appeal for monetary donations, Operation USA has also announced efforts to collect bulk corporate donations of health care supplies. If you are interested in donating bulk medical items, visit OpUSA.org.

For any who have loved ones abroad, Google has stepped up to help. Along with a tsunami alert posted on their front page, they’ve launched the Person Finder 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.

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.”

—The Huffington Post