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Subscribe to RSSSeveral organizations are helping victims of the Japanese quake. Here's how you can help:
- The American Red Cross. Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the agency. Text the letters REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation, or visit the organization's website.
- The International Medical Corps is putting together relief teams, as well as supplies. The organization is in "contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities,” said Nancy Aossey, IMC president, on its website. You can donate here. Or, you can text MED to 80888 to donate $10 to emergency relief efforts.
- Save the Children is accepting donations for its Children's Emergency Fund. "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,' said Eiichi Sadamatsu of the organization in a statement. You can also text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10.
- GlobalGiving, based in Washington, D.C., is providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Text JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10.
- The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895. In Tokyo, the Salvation Army "opened its main building to help shelter commuters who were unable to reach home. They served hot drinks and packed meals," said a spokesperson. You can text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts.
- Mercy Corps is "accepting donations to help survivors of Japan's earthquake and tsunami through our longstanding partner, Peace Winds Japan." Donations will go to meeting the "immediate and longer-term needs of the survivors," a spokesperson said. You can text “MERCY” to 25383 to donate $10.
- World Vision, with a staff of 75 in Japan, is a Christian humanitarian organization focused on easing the emotional and psychological stress that children face during disasters. Visit the website to donate, or call 1-888-562-4453. You can text “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10.
- Doctors Without Borders, an international group, already has teams working in Japan. The groups notes it is "drawing on unrestricted donations" given to it to fund its efforts, and "we are not accepting donations specifically earmarked for the recovery efforts in Japan. We greatly appreciate your generosity and encourage your support of our work. We will continue to post updates on our homepage, Facebook and Twitter as new information becomes available." To donate, call 1-888-392-0392.
- Habitat for Humanity; donations accepted at website, or phone donations can be made by calling 1-800-HABITAT.
- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is raising funds to help children in Japan. Donations accepted at website, or by calling 1-800-367-5437.
- AmeriCares has dispatched a disaster relief expert to the region to assess the health care needs and is prepared to send medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid as necessary. Phone number for donations: 203-658-9500.
- International Rescue Committee, based in New York; Phone donations to: 1-877-733-8433. The organization is "dispatching IRC relief experts from our Thailand program to Japan to see how we can assist Japanese authorities in responding to the earthquake/tsunami disaster. We recognize Japan’s significant emergency response expertise, but will offer direct technical assistance and other emergency support."
- Baptist World Alliance/Baptist World Aid. To donated by phone, call 703-790-8980.
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a humanitarian assistance organization that also helped in Haiti and in countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami. The relief group "worked in Japan before the American entrance into World War II when the organization helped support Jewish refugees — including renowned religious leaders and yeshiva scholars — in Kobe, Japan who fled Hitler’s Europe. Today, several thousand Jews live and work in Japan." Phone: 212-687-6200.
- Catholic Relief Services is "providing assistance through our sister agency, Caritas Japan. CRS has programs in the Philippines and Indonesia and works with Caritas Oceania that is active in numerous islands in the Pacific that might be affected." For donations by phone, call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency can be reached at 1-800-424-2372, or text the word SUPPORT to 85944 to make a donation.
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, based in San Dimas, Calif., "has activated its Disaster Coordination Center in Tokyo ... Right now, Tzu Chi offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan sustained minor damages," but the two offices are open as service centers. To donate by phone, call 1-888-989-8244.
There are several animal rescue groups that are also involved. Among them:
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare has information about efforts to save animals in Japan. To make a donation by phone, call 1-800-932-4329.
And various other efforts are underway:
- The mGive Foundation, which helps with mobile donations, said these groups are also accepting text-based donations: Convoy of Hope, text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10; World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals, text WAVE to 50555 to donate $10. "When prompted, mobile donors should reply with YES to confirm a one-time gift," the foundation says. "The $10 one-time donation will appear on the donor’s next mobile bill. All donations are tax deductible and receipts may be printed" from the mGive site. "Message and data rates may apply."
- Facebook has a Disaster Relief page with lots of good information about organizations that are offering aid, and that you can help, in turn.
- Microsoft has a Disaster Response Effort underway. "We are taking a number of steps, including ensuring the safety of our employees and their families and proactively offering customers, partners and local response agencies technical support to help ensure business continuity," the company said. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)
To help you make decisions about donations, the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance offers tips on "Giving to Earthquake Relief Efforts in Japan." And another good website to check is Charity Navigator, a non-profit organization that has information on more than 5,000 charities and evaluates the groups' financial health.
And while giving is good, beware of those out there who are not good and are trying to scam you by taking your money over the Internet and using e-mail. For more information, read "Tips to avoid Japanese earthquake phishing scams."
Leave a Comment:
My name is Kevin Day and I am a construction contractor. I am curious about helping with disaster relief in Japan due to the horrific earthquake they experienced earlier today. I was looking for information about how to help and all I could find is donation links. I would rather donate my time to help the people in Japan. If anyone has info on who to contact in regards to this, please let me know. My e-mail is Day.Construction.MI@gmail.com.
If you do find out any info please let me know... vevelee4@gmail.com I live in Puerto Rico and have been left in shock with what has happen. I hope if in some future this was to happen to my home island we would receive the same kind of help i am willing to give. Please let me know.
A couple organizations you might check with:
You might also check with your local religious communities (churches, synagogues, mosques) - often times the local congregations are part of larger affiliated groups which have humanitarian relief organizations which have been in operation for decades or centuries, which help in these types of situations.
For people wanting to donate to the disaster relief in Japan, you can donate to UMCOR. Their website is:
This is the United Methodist Committee On Relief. They were on the ground in Japan within an hour of the disaster and they have no plans to leave until the recovery is over. Anyone wishing to give to this organization that aids in the assistance of victims in Japan can visit their website for more information on how to give.
Kevin Day shows exactly what Americans are like. Today the GOP wants to deny aide to Japan in their hour of need. The USA has been a long time friend of Japan and now we have elected officials who want to turn their back on them. Speaker Boehner waste taxpayers money for his aide to go to etiquette class when he could have asked former Speaker Pelosito have her aide teach his. The scenes shown live from Japan look like the movie Inception. No number yet on the lost to life. Here in California one reported death. A group of us are starting a care drive both in California and Japan and any other area that needs help.
To those who weren't listed in my thanks, I did read comments this morning and again thank you all for your kindness and well wishes on my 29th wink birthday.
Your comments are indicative of why this country can't get anything accomplished. One "side" is always bashing the other "side". In spite of your misconceptions, the GOP is not responsible for the bad things going on in this country. Also, are you even aware that you also bashed the Dems in your comment about Pelosi? How about just coming up with something that actually might do some good, make a difference, change your judgemental attitude, for instance. It should be obvious that disasters like this one in Japan point out even clearer that we are all in this together! We should be working together to help and all of us will benefit. Put your money, time, and energy where your mouth is! If you are busy helping others, you won't have so much time nitpicking every bad thing someone else does. Remember, don't throw the first stone unless you are innocent of all wrong doing!
Well said! Please people forget the political infighting and just HELP!
How about this? If you feel the same way the Speaker does, why not send your contribution to the US Treasury, Bureau of the Public Dept, in the form of a donation to offset the expenditures that the more progressive-thinking President is going to order made for the benefit of Japan whether you like it or not?
This will put your money where your mouth is in respect to the budget deficit, while at the same time helping to pay--for example--for the US troops that are being made available to provide helicopter transport out of the area for victims, heavy equipment to clear debris, and expert assistance with their immediate reactor problems, and so forth...
Focus,Focus,Focus A-hole, not a place for your politico tirade but a place to help the people of Japan .
My name is George Lainhart and I am a Law Enforcement officer and a Member of Florida 3 Airboat Search & Rescue and my team would like to offer our assistance to help in japan, we have 11 Airboats available and our team consists of Law Enforcement and Fire rescue professionals and we are all U.S Department of Interior Airboat operator certified and several of us have worked several of the major floods from Katrina to the Flood in Atlanta and with as much debris is in the water in Japan Airboats by far would be the most efficient way to preform rescues and move personnel and supplies around in the flooded areas you can contact either Sgt Kevin Roderiqus at FL3SAR@msn.com or my self at cppdsniper@yahoo.
Anything that I can do? I'm case manager working with mentally ill and developmentally delayed. Experience working with mentally ill homeless. Prior experience in Japan with military.
I am ready to go if needed. I have a strong back and lots of energy. This is so tragic, and I have bonds with many of the Japanese citizens. If given the chance, I would be there, doing all I could.
Don't get me wrong, I feel horrible for the people affected by this disaster. However, we need to focus on the disasters here at home. If you want to donate money, by all means do so, but give it to an organization here in the States, so that US citizens can benefit from it. Once we get our country in better shape we can worry about another one.
I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to Japan, but my money is staying in the US, where it is desperately needed!!!
The world is no longer a collection of nations. We are one people, we are all of the same mankind. Its time to start thinking & acting like it. Japan would be here offering their helping hand in a second, how dare you not do the same.
Money is something that is needed all over the world for lots of reasons but i strongly dissagree with you and anyone like you! I have been watching the news coverage about this disaster all day and since i can't afford to donate money i will be trying to donate any items they might need if at all possible. You say keep your money in the US where it is desperately needed????? Well i say keep your thoughts to yourself and everyone else should go ahead and offer whatever they can to Japan ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!
The wizards of smart (Bernie Bernanke and Turbo Timmy) who run this Ponzi Scheme we call the United States of America better worry about Japan selling off our worthless debt. If your house and your neighbors house both burned down what would you do? Take out another loan or call in the debt your neighbor owes you?
God bless all the people of Japan, their friends and family here and those of you offering to go help.
My husband and I are just sick about this disaster in Japan, Although we can not get to Japan to help we are willing to take in a family we have the room and would love to help any way we can.
What on earth prompts a non sequitur comment like yours at a time like this, with thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless. You sir, are an idiot.
I too have trouble understanding your sickeningly heartless, selfish comment. As though the money people would be donating would be solving our problems anyway -- these people are surely thinking of donating money they would have spent on some pleasure for themselves or using time they could have spent entertaining themselves.
I lived in Japan in 2005, working as a United States Pavilion Guide at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Japanese guests pressed crisp 1000 yen bills into our hands, hoping we could get it to the people in Louisiana who needed it.
Think about that when you next splurge on yourself, and then think about your fellow human beings who watched their loved ones get swept away in a wall of water, now huddling in a field in near-freezing temperatures, with no power or even food or clean water.
I was thinking of the French newspaper Le Monde's headline on 9/12/01, "We Are All Americans." 今私たちはみんな日本人です。 同じ地球に住んでいます。みんなは津波や地震が怖くて、家族や友達が愛する人間ですよ。 Today we are all Japanese.
A Japanese friend told me that she was moved and impressed by the generosity of Americans. I am so glad that you, Carla, are an exception. You bring shame to our country, but fortunately you are a tiny minority.
I hope you dont ever need help...but then again I truly doubt there are many people who think like you. There are no words to express the sorrow and heart wrenching sadness for all the people in Japan who somehow managed to survive and for all the souls who did not...my thoughts and prayers are with all who have suffered and lost..
I live in Hollister, California a town that received much damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Immediately after the earthquake, Japan donated a huge, very expensive earth-moving machine to help our community clear the debris. I will never forget that, and I will donate as much money as I can afford to help them in their time of need.
I do not understand how you could watch such devistation and not be moved to give. Think of those who've lost everything, including children or parents or brothers & sisters. They need help, and the very fact that we are human says we should help them. If such a disaster happened here, I would hope that the world would feel compassion and help us. "Do unto others as you would have the do unto you."
Please, no more of this.
The US red cross is one of the groups to donate. Few realize some many countries offered help of all kind to the victims of Katrina and Northridgequake. Japan has been there for the US it's nice to help in return. We have so many in need in the US with storms and FEMA is there quickly to help. Giving to Red Cross goes to all in need even those here at home.
I have visited Japan on number of occasions, I study the language and can get by, I am ready to leave my job and go to help in 'any' way possible, I am fit and strong enough to be of assistance, I am a 'survivor' type of person myself.... PLEASE assist me in assisting Japan at this critical time, my e mail is ohisashiburi@gail.com
from my previous entry above: my correct e mail is ohisashiburi@gmail.com
I am a heavy equimemt operator residing in Hawaii,if their is any need for my services please e-mail me,I am only seven hours away. God bless those poor people of Japan.
MSNBC--Please add Doctors Without Borders and Americares to your list. Both of these good organizations are preparing to go help. They need donations too.
Tsk Tsk Carla. Don't forget that there are other individuals from the US that may be stranded, dead or have lost family members due to this disaster. Do we expect the Japanese to turn their backs on them? I think not. Yes charity may begin at home, and as far as I am concerned earth is my home. Last time I checked we all belong to the human race. Yes there are individuals that are in need here, but I can almost guarantee you that many of the poorest of poor will put their last change into the Red Cross jar for this cause.
I'm a Japanese and watching this horrible disaster in Japan helplessly.
According to Japan's government, over 3,000 people were killed or missing as of March 13. 10,000 people's whereabouts are unknown because their town was washed out by massive Tunami right after the earthquake.
Moaning, crying... and totally lost. We are devastated by grief. We are all feeling as if we are trapped in a nightmare.
I'd like to thank all of you helping and supporting us. Donation, food, medical supplies, and more.
On top of them, we all deeply appreciate people who rushed in Japan for help. American military people has arrived and started helping us right after they came. For those who are coming from all over the world, including rescue dogs, I can't find a good word but thank you, really thank you.
We hang on here. The sun also rises after long long night. I really want to believe.
Thank you so much for your help.
みわさん、
日本の苦しみを考え場、心がすごく痛くなります。 頑張ってください。 日本人は強いですし、友達が助かりますよ。
今日私達はみんな日本人ですよ。
After 9/11, the French (in Le Monde) said, "We are all Americans."
Now we are all Japanese.
きっと勝つよ。
ジェシーより
This is part of what Jesus said we would see in the last days. Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes in divers places. I pray to be ready for what ever experiences come our way , to be ready to die, to be ready for Christ return, and to be ready to help any who we see needs our help as the good Samarian did.
I have amazing strong feelings for those living in this disaster. I know how I would feel if I did not know where my loved ones are or how they are, if I lost the comfort of my home, the security of my work and even my surrounding scenery that I enjoy and love. The best and first thing we can do is to remember them in our prayers. God who never slumbers or sleeps sees all and the very hairs of our head are numbered.
Not the time or place to make people worry about the "what if's " of your end of days prophecies !
This is part of what Jesus said would happen in the last days. There will be wars and rumors of wars. There will be earthquakes in divers places. I pray to be ready for what ever experiences come our way, to be ready to die, to be ready for Jesus return and to be ready to help those in need that our pathway crosses with like the Good Samaritan did in the Bible.
I have amazing strong feelings for those living in this disaster. I know how I would feel if my loved ones were missing, If I lost the comfort of my home, the security of my work, and even the surrounding scene of the place where I live and love. Prayer is the first and best thing we can do as God never slumbers or sleeps and the very hairs of our head are numbered.
I represent Martin Environmental Solutions, Inc. based out of Jacksonville, FL. We are teamed with R&R Global Developoment and a Consortium with a fleet of Heavy Equipment and are 100% ready to mobilize for Flood/Disaster Recovery and Waste Management and Infrastructure repair & rebuilding. Please contact me at tdkornacki@martinenviro.com or call me directly at 904-673-0011. We can deploy immediately!
Mr. Kornacki you should post your request on facebook and twitter it will be heard around the World faster. Your services and others is really needed now. I hope this helps in some way.
I have not heard of any aid for Japan coming from ANY Muslim country! Why is the Red Crescent not heard from? Are they less giving? The American people as a body support all aid in terrible situations like this, why can't the Muslim countries? All of the European countries are coming forward so why are the "oil rich" people of the Arab countries not giving aid. They have great wealth, why can't they share?
Help JAPAN ? We need help HERE in America ! We don't have HEALTH INSURANCE !
Funds are being cut on the homeless in NEW HAVEN, CT - yes where YALE is
WE NEED HELP HERE - let the other countries help JAPAN and get our boys home from the WAR
Sharon, I know you mean well and as someone who is HIV+ and pay over $1000/month for insurance or risk losing my drug coverage and thus dying from AIDS, but this site is for relief to Japan. Even I, who is currently on Disability and make much less than minimum wage is going to give something to their relief. Remember, you can always determine the civility of a nation by their willingness to give, help or aid is some way. Let's not compete against that type of civility.
Why isn't the Japanese Red Cross on the list? They are there and probably could put the money to use immediately.
my thought exactly. i would like to donate to a reputable, low overhead, result oriented charity based in japan, closer to the scene of tragedy which knows who to give what and from where to obtain those things quickly. i will appreciate we can get some great suggestions.
Prefer to help besides sending money,retired with plenty of time to help in anyway physically possible...just need to be called... strong back....can be reached at cjmariani1@gmail.com.. God give them strength...
UMCOR is another agency to consider.
Funding Promise-100% Efficient
Every dollar you give to UMCOR goes to the program you designate. UMCOR is 100% efficient.
Because UMCOR is funded through One Great Hour of Sharing in which United Methodist Churches participate and take a special offering every year, ALL your donated dollars will go to the relief effort.
UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. See more at: new.gbgm-umc.org/UMCOR/about
CHARITY begins at home
I feel sorry for the people of Japan but we have too many problems here in America to help anyone else. We have no health insurance and our miserable politicians are so caught up with their greed not to give a darn about anyone but themselves.....let those filthy rich republicans send their money since they don't want to help Americans....Secure our borders, get our young soldiers home, start using the death penalty and that will deter crime, our leaders need to set their priorities - THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO PAY YOUR SALARIES - START TAKING CARE OF AMERICANS!
Stef-2155003 says:
"The world is no longer a collection of nations. We are one people, we are all of the same mankind."
WE'RE ALL DOOMED IF IGNORAMUSES WANT TO SING "KUMBAYA." JUST LOOK AT ALL THE ARABIC NATIONS STEPPING UP TO HELP. YOU THINK THEY CARE? SHOW ME ONE DOLLAR OR ONE VOLUNTEER FROM THE ARAB WORLD.
with economy now days its hard for me to donate cash. BUT i will text redcross and i also have baby clothes that my son does not fit. Is there a place on where i can send it too.. please email me... this i know it will go to good use and to also help another child in need...
I have a profound idea. why doesn't NBC put that money to good use and fly Americans home. I am outside of Tokyo with a wife and three kids. right now they are reading high levels of radiation and we are warned to stay inside. It will cost me roughly $8,500-$10,000 (coach) to fly the family to the states and that is only NY or LA direct flights, where it is safe from the radiation in the air. I am sure I am not the only one in this situation. I talked to the state department and they have no plans or programs for anyone other than sending someone up north to find citizens who are unaccounted for. This blog is useful but only for those in the states who want to send money. Why not do something different and actually show how the money donated helped get Americans home safely. Giving the current situation of logistics, transportation, distribution and individuals erratic work schedules, there are many Americans who would like to get out of here but can not afford it and would use what money they have just for the flight to come home to no job, no income to live on, etc. Every little bit would greatly help the many American who live in Japan.