How To Help Japan

On March 11, Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded.  Shortly after, a massive tsunami struck and dumped billions of gallons of water on the Japanese mainland.  The National Police Agency has officially confirmed 6,911 deaths, 2,611 injured, and 10,692 missing as of March 18.  These numbers are expected to increase.  Save the Children reports that as many as 100,000 children have been uprooted for their homes.  

The degree and scope of damage cased by the earthquake and resulting tsunami have been devastating.  Estimates of the cost of the damage fall into the range of tens of billions of dollars.  Although Japan has invested in anti-tsunami seawalls, the tsunami simply washed over the top of some seawalls.  Power plants in Fukushima, Onagawa, and Tokai were shut down immediately following the earthquake.  However, cooling is needed to remove decay heat for several days after a plant has been shut down.  The cooling process is powered by emergency diesel generators, but when the water overflowed seawalls, the diesel backup systems were destroyed.  The result was two large explosions and radiation leakage.  Officials from the Japanese Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency have reported that radiation levels inside the plant in Fukushima are 1,000 times normal levels.  

All of Japan’s ports were briefly closed after the earthquake and many of them were destroyed.  Irrigation hams in Sukagawa have ruptured, causing flooding and washing away homes.  At least 1.5 million households are estimated to be without access to water.  Rolling blackouts due to power shortages have left about 4.4 million households without electricity.  In Ichihara, a 220,000 barrel per day oil refinery was set on fire by the earthquake.  Japan’s transportation systems have suffered severe disruptions.  

Most of these problems can be remedied through the work of aid agencies, but the economic impact of the earthquake and tsunami are arguably just as devastating as the physical damage.  The northern Tohoku region, which was most affected, accounts for 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.  The Miyagi area includes manufacturing and industrial zones with chemical and electronics plants.  Toyota, Nissan, and Honda suspended automobile production until March 14.  GlaxoSmithKline, Sony, Nestle also suspended operations following the quake.  Globally, financial markets have been volatile in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.  Stock markets around the world were adversely affected.  

The Japanese people need our help.  So far, 113 countries and 24 international organizations have offered their assistance.  The Japanese government specifically requested teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  Here are some ways that you can help out...

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is supporting and advising the Japanese Red Cross.  By making a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, you are providing hot meals and medical relief to displaced Japanese citizens. Donate here.

GlobalGiving              

GlobalGiving has established a fund that will disburse to relief and emergency organizations.  GlobalGiving is working with the International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground.  Donate here.

Save the Children

Save the Children has an immediate goal of $5 million to launch a long-term recovery plan for children affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  Donate here.  

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is working tirelessly to assist people in Japan.  They have dispersed teams to the most severely affected areas to distribute basic necessities to survivors. Donate here.  

AmeriCares

AmeriCares and its relief workers are working to deliver medicine and supplies to hospitals and shelters.  It is also dispatching health responders to treat and care for survivors. Donate here.  

(links to these organizations)