If anyone feels the desire to help in a practical way, here are some options to consider. I personally do not support or vouch for any of these organizations except for the last one. CRASH Japan is a relief organization that I've worked with in the past, and there's a fair chance that I may also have a chance to do some on-the-ground relief work with them this time around too.


1. Red Cross
The Japanese Red Cross Society has a well-organized disaster response. If you wish to make a donation, please do so through your local Red Cross society, and they will make sure the donations are earmarked for the Japan earthquake relief effort.

USA: Go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

Canada: Go to http://www.redcross.ca/ and hit the “Donate” button.

2. Save the Children: http://www.savethechildren.org/ is accepting donations via. Paypal for this (and other) relief efforts. I do not know whether it’s possible to specify or earmark funds for a particular cause, however.

3. International Medical Corps http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/ You can text MED to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10 (presumably USA only).

4. Salvation Army: is sending a team to Sendai. The following is taken from the Salvation Army (USA) website:
There are five ways people can contribute money to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Japan:
- Text the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
- By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
- On-line at: www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
- By mail: Send your check, marked “Japan earthquake relief” to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301-0959
At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting in-kind donations from the general public for disaster relief operations in Japan.

Canadians may donate by visiting the Canadian Salvation Army website: http://www.salvationarmy.ca/

5. The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund at http://www.globalgiving.org/

6. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ MSF Japan currently has teams trying to reach the affected areas.

7. Peace Winds Japan is on the ground, distributing relief supplies. http://www.peace-winds.org/en/ Overseas donations can be made through their partner MercyCorps https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan (Personal note: they seem to have the most direct, quickest way to donate on their website, compared to any other organization).

8. CRASH Japan (This is my personal charity of choice. I have worked with them on the ground during earthquake relief efforts in Niigata a couple years ago, and have several friends within the organization). I list this charity last, as they are a Christian organization (and I want to be sensitive to those who may not share my spiritual views) that operates within a network of churches throughout Japan.

a) Go to http://crashjapan.com/ and fill in the form in the “Contact Us” section. Ask for updated information on the Sendai earthquake to be sent to you, as well as a request for how you can help.

b) USA: Checks with donations can be sent to:

Horizon Central
1001 E. Palmer St.Indianapolis,
IN 46203 USA

Please write: CRASH – Japan earthquake in the comment line of the check to ensure the funds are sent to the correct account.