(Article courtesy of Alan Taylor, March 14, 2011, NationalJournal.com)
The official number of deaths in Japan’s hardest-hit areas now surpass 1,800, but search and rescue teams in Japan fear the number may soon increase to more than 10,000, as thousands of bodies have been discovered on remote beaches. Since the earthquake, there were an additional 403 aftershock quakes, 32 of them with a magnitude greater than 6.0. Fire crews, rescue teams, and volunteers continue to dig through the tsunami wreckage for sight of survivors. Evacuation efforts continue around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and engineers work to regain control of the failing reactors.
A victim’s hand sticks out among the rubble after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck Rikuzentakata, northern Japan March 13, 2011. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai)
The massive amount of media coverage around Japan’s disaster has brought the fright into everyone’s lives. The good news is that we can contribute to the recovery efforts. I can only imagine what type of distraught people are experiencing at the other end of the world. In times of crises we should all as human beings come together and help the ones in need. We are all one race and one people, everywhere on this planet. There are many global organizations who are currently working to relieve Japan’s citizens.
Here are some ways we can help the people of Japan from our own homes:
1. Donate to IMC – International Medical Corps is mobilizing relief teams and supplies, as well as contacting partners in the area in order to deploy their most effective strategy. They are a group of medical professionals who provide vital health services with a focus on training in order to return devastated populations to self-sufficiency. You can donate online at
2. Donate to Save the Children – Save the Children stands ready to meet the needs of children and families affected by these events. An international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan. You can donate to their efforts online at
3. Donate money, supplies or air miles to Operation USA – Los Angeles-based international relief agency OpUSA is preparing for their efforts in Japan, and are asking for monetary donations from individuals. They are also requesting air miles through United Airlines Charity Miles program. If your employer would like to get involved, corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also needed. Find out the ways you can donate at
4. Text a donation to the Red Cross – The Red Cross has launched their relief efforts in Japan. You can donate online, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.
5. Donate to Doctors Without Borders – Doctors Without Borders has two three-person teams in Japan attempting to get to the hardest hit areas by helicopter. Another 25 staff will respond once the situation has been assessed. You can find out how to donate by visiting their website at
6. Donate to MercyCorps – Mercy Corps is working with its longtime partner, Peace Winds, to rush tents, food, water and other relief items to the disaster zone.
Help by Text
United States
Text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- Save the Children Federation, Inc.
Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10- American Red Cross
Text “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to donate $10- Salvation Army
Text “MED” to 80888 to donate $10- Assist International Medical Corps
Text “SUPPORT” to 85944 to donate $10- ADRA Relief for Japan tsunami victims
Text “MERCY” to 25283 to donate $10- Mercy Corps
Text “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- World Vision, Inc.
Text “TSUNAMI” to 50555 to donate $10- Convoy for Hope
Text “JAPAN” to 50555 to donate $10- Global Giving
The official number of deaths in Japan’s hardest-hit areas now surpass 1,800, but search and rescue teams in Japan fear the number may soon increase to more than 10,000, as thousands of bodies have been discovered on remote beaches. Since the earthquake, there were an additional 403 aftershock quakes, 32 of them with a magnitude greater than 6.0. Fire crews, rescue teams, and volunteers continue to dig through the tsunami wreckage for sight of survivors. Evacuation efforts continue around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and engineers work to regain control of the failing reactors.
A victim’s hand sticks out among the rubble after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami struck Rikuzentakata, northern Japan March 13, 2011. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai)
The massive amount of media coverage around Japan’s disaster has brought the fright into everyone’s lives. The good news is that we can contribute to the recovery efforts. I can only imagine what type of distraught people are experiencing at the other end of the world. In times of crises we should all as human beings come together and help the ones in need. We are all one race and one people, everywhere on this planet. There are many global organizations who are currently working to relieve Japan’s citizens.
Here are some ways we can help the people of Japan from our own homes:
1. Donate to IMC – International Medical Corps is mobilizing relief teams and supplies, as well as contacting partners in the area in order to deploy their most effective strategy. They are a group of medical professionals who provide vital health services with a focus on training in order to return devastated populations to self-sufficiency. You can donate online at
2. Donate to Save the Children – Save the Children stands ready to meet the needs of children and families affected by these events. An international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan. You can donate to their efforts online at
3. Donate money, supplies or air miles to Operation USA – Los Angeles-based international relief agency OpUSA is preparing for their efforts in Japan, and are asking for monetary donations from individuals. They are also requesting air miles through United Airlines Charity Miles program. If your employer would like to get involved, corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also needed. Find out the ways you can donate at
4. Text a donation to the Red Cross – The Red Cross has launched their relief efforts in Japan. You can donate online, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.
5. Donate to Doctors Without Borders – Doctors Without Borders has two three-person teams in Japan attempting to get to the hardest hit areas by helicopter. Another 25 staff will respond once the situation has been assessed. You can find out how to donate by visiting their website at
6. Donate to MercyCorps – Mercy Corps is working with its longtime partner, Peace Winds, to rush tents, food, water and other relief items to the disaster zone.
Help by Text
United States
Text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- Save the Children Federation, Inc.
Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10- American Red Cross
Text “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to donate $10- Salvation Army
Text “MED” to 80888 to donate $10- Assist International Medical Corps
Text “SUPPORT” to 85944 to donate $10- ADRA Relief for Japan tsunami victims
Text “MERCY” to 25283 to donate $10- Mercy Corps
Text “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- World Vision, Inc.
Text “TSUNAMI” to 50555 to donate $10- Convoy for Hope
Text “JAPAN” to 50555 to donate $10- Global Giving
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