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You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / “How you can help victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami”

Reader Interactions

15Comments

  1. 1.

    Platonicspoof

    Some donation sites and other info at this Japan Times page.

    And to repeat my comment in the last thread, an hour ago the Kyodo news agency said:

    TOKYO, March 14, Kyodo
    …
    Fuel rods at the No. 2 reactor of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant were fully exposed Monday, following Friday’s deadly earthquake, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said.
    …
    The plant operator said water levels fell as fuel for pumps that are used for seawater injection operations ran out.
    …
    Tokyo Electric earlier said the cooling functions of the reactor had been lost and began injecting seawater into the reactor to cool it down.

  2. 2.

    tom p

    My neice was in Sendai when the earthquake hit. Survived that, then the tsunami, now she has been evacuated to an army base because of the nuclear problems. Communication with her has been sketchy to say the least, and little more than “I am OK.” I look at the pictures and I think of her, and her inability to know what is coming next, or what she is going to do or anything at all…

    Please give.

  3. 3.

    Linda Featheringill

    Made a donation. Not much but the little ones will add up. [Look at what we did for the Obama election fund.]

    It seems to be taking a long time to get food and water to survivors. On the other hand, I am not there and cannot see what is going on.

    I do understand spending resources to get/keep the nuclear situation under control. Very important.

    They really have suffered a perfect storm of problems. Good luck to them all.

  4. 4.

    paranoid android

    No recommendation for organizations, but important information for anyone who wants to donate:

    The Dos and Don’ts of Disaster Donations
    http://goodintents.org/disaster/the-dos-and-donts-of-disaster-donations

    Most important points:

    Do NOT send gifts in kind like clothes or medicine – those kinds of shipments almost always end up in the trash and clog roads, warehouses and airports.

    DO donate money, but DON’T earmark it for a specific cause. Find an organization you trust and donate to their general fund.

  7. 7.

    RareSanity

    @Anne Laurie (top):

    I’m at work now and a couple of my coworkers have stated that the Japanese Red Cross is probably the best route for providing direct assistance. However, it appears that the English version of the site is not being updated very frequently. But on the Japanese version of the site, there is an announcement that they are trying to get accounts setup in order to receive donations. They are also stating that, as a general rule, they do not accept goods from individuals.

    The main statement on the Japanese version of the website is this:

    “The people affected by the earthquake in northeastern Japan recently, and everyone in your family, I would like to express our sincere sympathy.
    __　
    The Red Cross has sent a rescue party and is currently in the disaster area. We’re working all out to give to relief to those affected.”

    After reading that, I was initially discouraged, but then, Google to the rescue! Google is accepting donations on behalf of the Japanese Red Cross here.

    Sadly, one of my coworker’s in-laws live in Sendai and they have yet to hear from them at this point. They are still holding out hope that the interruptions in communications is the reason they have not been able to contact them.

    On a brighter note, as my two coworkers and I were talking about this, they both talked about how grateful they were to the U.S. Military, for responding so quickly. They said that they have already been responsible for saving thousands of lives. Also, one of them asked to me pass on this message, “Please tell your friends (you guys at Balloon-Juice) thank you very much for their help. This is very difficult time in Japan and their kindness is very appreciated.”

    I wish you guys could hear the sincere emotion of thanks that they were expressing about the U.S. Military moving so quickly to help. I almost teared up myself, I was so proud of our service people, and our military in Japan. Also, I know that we all have donated to various causes, be it Hati, or Katrina, or any number of events around the globe. For this one, I am here to tell you, I see the direct result of the giving for this cause. It happened thousands of miles away, but a simple statement, “Hey guys, I have a bunch of people that would like to donate money to help in Japan, do you know of any charities?”, brought smiles to their distressed faces.

    You’re doing good Balloon-Juicers! I am a witness to you lifting the spirits of people directly affect by this.

  8. 8.

    MTiffany

    Not to make light of the situation, and I apologize if this has already been suggested, but: karaoke benefit concert anyone? “Bad singing for a good cause.” Anything to pre-empt one of those awful televised benefit concerts.

  13. 13.

    tom p

    @asiangrrlMN: she is a ray of sunshine… I have dealt with depression all my life, but not her, not her, always a smile, always the “sunny side”….

    When I first heard she was going over, I thought, “WHat a great adventure…”

    I had no idea. Now I wonder what this adventure will inflict on her?

    Sooo.. to those of you who think of her, (and the ones in similar situations) thank you.

    and please give.

    Last I heard, she had hot water and electricity, I have no idea if that is still true, but even if it is, there are hundreds of thousands for whom it is not.

    Please.. give….

  14. 14.

    tom p

    @<a href="#comment-2474979"

    Sadly, one of my coworker’s in-laws live in Sendai and they have yet to hear from them at this point. They are still holding out hope that the interruptions in communications is the reason they have not been able to contact them.

    >RareSanity:

    RS; On Friday morn,I woke up and heard the news, I did not expect to here from beth for days… maybe weeks. she found a way…. I hope, I pray, (an atheists prayers… I apologize, but if god is the god…. never mind, I hope your coworkers here soon from their relatives.

  15. 15.

    tom p

    I hope your coworkers HEAR soon from their relatives.

    What an idiot I am…

    Still, if God is listening to me, I am praying for
    your freinds relatives.

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