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Several organizations are jumping in to help victims of the Japanese quake. Here's how you can help (and this list will be updated):
- Using your cell phone, you can text-message donations of $10 to the Red Cross. 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.
- 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, is sending an assessment team from Tokyo to the city of Sendai "to assess damage and will begin providing basic necessities (food, water, etc.) beginning as soon as possible tonight or tomorrow," a spokesperson said. 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." You can text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army’s relief efforts.
- 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.
- Portland, Ore.-based 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.
- 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.)
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I'd like to see a program started to "Adopt a Family in Japan's Tsunami Disaster". And or adopt misplaced individuals, who have no where to go and start over, or even do not have anyone left to go with. Whereas many of us are disenchanted with donating after 9/11, only to wait forever for the money to get to actual families, or even to go to line administrators' pockets, we need a new direct safe vehicle for this. If such an adoption program could be parented by a safe/trusted entity like Dateline msnbc, and connected directly to Japanese authorities, and safe-guarded by Dateline; then many of us would like to send resources to such a program! Dateline could oversee the safety of the money, the transactions, the destinations, and ultimately connect Japanese survivors with helping caring American families! This could continue for a long lasting recovery project and long lasting frienships across the Pacific.
Great idea Ken, I was thinking the same thing............
Did you find a reliable way to provide funding directly to a Japanese family who lost everything?
I couldn't agree more with the Ken. Some organization or methodolgy that would allow for further involvement beyond a one time cash donation that was based in a legitimate humanitarian group. It would allow those of us with limited finacial means to still give of ourselves with time, effort or donation to help.
Especialy with the being overseen by a trustworthy organiztion. The number of scams that are already manifesting themselves sickens me.
My husband and I were talking last night and wondered if such a program was going to happen.
I believe if there was a way to adopt a family. Many would. To just give money and hope it ends up in the right
hands leaves us feeling . Well like it is not going to make a difference. Would love to help a family and know they
Got the help we intended for them. Love to see Dateline head this.
I've been looking for a program like that. I experienced Katrina and the parallels are enough to awaken nightmares. I want to help far more than a blind donation of a few bucks. I want to change lives that have been destroyed. It does not take much. People like the Japanese will find a way to make success happen. A little well placed help, however, can go a long way.
I would be proud to support a family in the US and would love to see MSNBC help make it possible.
I have two extra bedrooms and lots of room and security for a family who needs a place to stay in the us from japan i dont have alot of money but i have a safe nice home and warmth and food and safety to give a family or young adults left homeless please let me know
Here in Sydney Australia we have enough room to take a Japanese family for some time until they are able to go back to their home. My wife and I discussed this issue earlier today so if anyone knows how to get this idea up and running then please keep in touch.............
My husband and I were just talking about this tonight. Living in California at the time of the Northridge quake made me realize just how lucky we were. The thought of a half of a million people homeless, just breaks my heart. I look at the house we own. Just the 2 of us and we only use 1 out of the 5 bedrooms in it. What a better way to make a house into a home than to open up your door to those who truly have no other place to go. We would sign up to support a family or children in a heartbeat. If anyone knows of such a program, please keep us in mind.
I live alone in a 4 bedroom home and i also would concider taking in a japanese family if it is possable, i am not rich by any means, but i do have room for a family to stay with me, but dont know how to go about it, but willing to help, keep me in mind
I also would like to provide for a couple or small family until things get better at home.
I would be glad to help a family, mother with children, father with children or both with children. I would think that many of these families will be totally displaced. With all that has to be rebuilt they will all need someplace to live while that is happening. I have plenty of room for a family and I am sure that many other people do as well. I hosted a Japanese teenager many years ago and it was a wonderful experience for all. If anyone knows of a particular family that needs a place to stay if they can get here I am ready to assist. Anyone know of something like that- like sponsorships or something?
As a Japanese, I'm very glad to read kind messages here. Though I don't think (excuse me) adoptind Japanese family or children in, say, the US or any other countries is practical. First, we Japanese, in less or not affected areas, should accept, if needed, such displaced people. Second, due to the differences in life styles, language, etc., living in "foreign countries" would give the evecuees great stress.
I have a very safe place in my home for a Japanese family in Oregon..very safe, very secure. email me at diana95610@att.net
Not only many americans are open to foster japanese families or individuals, but also many people in Spain and Germany, where I live. It would be fantastic to have such a program proposed by Ken ""Adopt a Family in Japan's Tsunami Disaster" running all over the world. I would also gladly have a family at our home to help out to those that have lost everything.
Francisco (spanish living in Germany)
Dear japan families, I live in Ukraine, Zaporozhye city with my husband and my son... if you need help and home for some time we are open to you. My name's Olya, my phone number is +380979149533
I feel overwhelmed reading all those offers, although I'm not displaced myself. But as I wrote before, adopting displaced Japanese in other countries is not practical. For the people from that region, ordinally rural folks, it would be too much stress living in "foreign countries."
Already many municipalities in Japan offer places to stay for those evacuees and displaced people.
My family would love to adopt a japanese family. It would be a great idea to start a program like this. If a program like this one starts will someone please email me ay dramaqueenmpg@yahoo.com.
ATTENTION ALL JAPANESE FAMILIES!!!!!!! My family (my mom,dad,14year old sister and 13 year old me) would really love to help! If any of you need a place to stay for a little while we could take you in for a while. Your children (if you have any) will have a great education again. If you are interested call me at (989) 598-0359
also I live in Saginaw,MI
My family and I live in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, USA. We want to help but are not confident a donation will be used for those who really need it. Additionally, what we are comfortable donating is very small in comparison to what we have to offer. We have a 3-Bedroom rental condo we'd like to offer rent-free, as long as necessary, to a Japanese family displaced by the tsunami. The condo sleeps 6 comfortably. We will pay all utilities and expenses (food, clothing, etc.) until they are able to provide for themselves. I understand that Japanese culture is very different and assimilation into a new way of life amidst such tragedy will not be easy. However, neither is living in overcrowded temporary housing with limited water, food, clothing, in fear of radiation contamination, etc. We are offering a secure and safe environment to raise their children and begin to heal. We are offering a helping hand and friendship to a family in need. In return, we will gain the emotional connection of knowing those we have helped. Our children will learn the value of giving substantial meaningful assistance to those in need.
Additionally, we own 2 businesses in the area and could offer seasonal employment to those who speak English well. Note:This would not be taking a job from an American worker. We traditionally hire up to 30 foreign students/summer b/c our area has too many seasonal jobs to fill with local residents alone.
If family in need of help is reading this, you may contact me: gwen@lounginlizzard.com
My husband and I live in Portland, OR . We live in a large house. We would be honored to have a family of four live with us for a year or so until they could return home. We have a split level home so the family could feel a sense of privacy and there is help we could find to translate if family does not speak English. If a family would like to contact us please e-mail Portlandflowers@yahoo.com
Please know that we are praying for you and your loved ones and your country
Sincerely, D and Orville Flowers
I feel exactly the same way. My family would love to help. We have a 2 bedroom apartment style basement available to any family, person, or group who have lost their home(s) because of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster. I know it might be stressful to leave Japan but we would try to make things as easy as possible. We live in Colorado. Email me: Shannon.weber@gmx.com
I live in Eugene, Oregon in a very safe secure home with lot's of private space on 5 acres. I can offer a home for a Japanese family until recovery is reached.
I would loved to be, part or to start a Japanese family placement service. I am retired and very stable.
Diana Skinner 916-271-1620