How To Help Japan: Earthquake Relief Options
Many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief to those affected by the tsunami.
On March 11, 2011, a huge 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing widespread destruction.
President Obama has already released a statement sending "deepest condolences" and promising support to the stricken country.
Additionally, many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief to those affected by the disaster.
In response to the quake, 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 organization 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. 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 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 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. 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 the organization's efforts or make a donation, visit Doctorswithoutborders.org.
Other relief organizations are also sending representatives to disaster sites, including AmeriCare 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 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 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. SwipeGood, a charitable company that rounds credit card purchases up and donates to charity, also is helping out with the Japan relief effort, in partnership with World Vision. 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."
- Courtesy of The Huffington Post
chase allen
11:33 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
i am a heavy equipment operator form job corps and i am a mechanic i maybe only 19 but im more than willing to help with what ever i can if there is anything i can do you can email me at chase0414@yahoo.com
erin sullivan
3:50 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I've been a heavy equipment operator for 25 years and I've been trained in underground rescue. I would like to help in anyway. Erindeansullivan1@Gmail.com
GEORGE
7:09 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I HOPE WE DONT RUN OFF AND START HELPING THESE PEOPLE
WE HAVE ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF HERE
WorldPeopleAllAreOne
8:07 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
George, "THESE PEOPLE" shows me that you are concerned only with yourself. We are all one community in the world. Wake up. We have connections everywhere to eachother. Unless you are a WWII war veteran still with bias toward the "Japs" you have no excuse for this attitude. Chances are you are a WASP in your own world....a closed minded person who is force-feeding your bigotry to your young. This is why we have wars and strife. People who don't open up because of fear.
When we help others, we help ourselves. I found this site because I searched for "heavy equipment operator volunteer US volunteer" and found the guy who commented above you offering his services.
Wish you would consider your comment puts you in a VERY selfish and bad light.
Chowe
10:29 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I agree with george. Im not saying that we shouldnt assist them but we have long term unemployed people in America and our own children are starving! Google unemployment.
Edward C.Amos
2:59 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I am a heavy equipment operator and a heavy duty repairman. I am also a former navy Corpsman stationed with the marines in Okinawa Japan, please let me help. chas2amos@yahoo.com
james
3:08 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I am a crane operator, welder, steel erector and also can operate any kind of heavy equipment and I am very interested in whatever I can help with. Please let me know (252)430-9873 thanks!!
Kevin Rayford
7:45 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
Gambit I am a heavy equipment and tri axel dump truck operator I also know who to install and repair sewer lines I work very well with extenda- hoe back hoes forl lift (atv) up to 15000(lbs).........quedog1956@yahoo.com ..and I am free to travel
eric fischer
11:23 pm on Sunday, March 13, 2011
licenced for all heavy equipment including mobile crane.class 1 driver.please call if i can help.
fischere64@yahoo.com
Jim Groth
4:27 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011
Willing to volunteer in Japan as Heavy Equipment Operator from Nevada, also US Army National Guardsman
jamesgroth@yahoo.com
mike saric
6:31 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Heavy equipment operator with SAR training and first aid, rubber tire backhoe and excavator.
saricexcavating@gmail.com
alan
10:14 pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011
UNITED KINGDOM CITIZENS FOR JAPAN TSUNAMI VICTIMS..
for your assistance of any kind to affected victims of the recent tsunami
i japan please contact us via
help4japantsunami@yahoo.com
Jamie Callin
12:58 am on Friday, March 18, 2011
Jamie
Hi, I'm an experienced red sealed crane operator of 12 years, an apprentice welder and an experienced heavy machine operator. I'm currently in Thailand on vacation and will be landing back at Tokyo on March 31st. I spent some time in Tokyo for vacation 12 days ago and was well welcomed and I'm so heart broken to what has happened. I would love to repay the hospitality that was given to me. Please contact me at lonewolf10ca@gmail.com or my Thailand number 0848800685, or my Canadian number 7805042305, if any of my skills can be of any help I will cancel my connecting flight back home and stay and volunteer.
Joseph Miller
7:14 am on Sunday, March 20, 2011
Hi i'm a Heavy equipment operator. I helped out in Sri Lanka in 2004. But I'm have trouble with finding a way to assist in japan. I would realy like to lend my skills to Japan
please contact me at ANAMegod@yahoo.com
Shane
2:56 am on Thursday, March 24, 2011
I would like to offer my services as a heavy equipment operator as well as a mechanic, welder(non certified but can weld) and CDL driver of tractor trailer, tandem dump and cement mixer trucks.
My info:
Shane Cullen
P.O. Box 526
Laie, HI 96762
(808)330-0027
kurumatoy@hotmail.com
LMK if my services can be used in any relief efforts.
Sincerely, Shane Cullen
cody fife
10:27 pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
I am a 10 year heavy equipment operator willing to help I have expirence in trackhoe wheel loader and backhoe
Polarisis1@aol.com
al janes
10:39 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
I would also like to offer my services as a heavy equipment operator of 40yrs w/ also experience in multiple trades and tractor trailer dump,flat etc..
My info :
Al janes
ajanes40@yahoo.com
312-804 7286
David R Hughes II
3:16 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I am a 20 year heavy equipment operator willing to help I have experience in scrapers, front end loaders, and bulldozers, crawlers, tractor trailers, excavators, hydro-hams, I lived in japan for two years i have experience working in disaster areas, mining, construction and demolition
send any info to
Davidr65@msn.com
Sincerely
David Hughes