Assistance thread for Japan - Open thread

[suffragette]

I thought it might help to create a resource thread for ways we can contribute to assist.

I'm hoping we can combine them in this thread for ready resource location.

I'll start:


I saw on the local Seattle news last night that Uwajimiya is accepting and matching donations for Peace Winds, which is assisting with relief efforts.

From Uwajimaya's site:
http://www.uwajimaya.com /






Peace Winds:http://peacewindsamerica.org /

http://peacewindsamerica.org/about/who-we-are/

[Hannah Bell]

1. another way to donate may be through your local sister city group,

a number of which have already started organizing some kind of assistance effort.

[suffragette]

3. Great idea and more links from that

Thanks Hannah.


Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association

http://www.sksca.org/

http://seattlejapanrelief.com/ Direct donation links on this site so anyone could donate directly through it to Peace Winds, American Red Cross, and YMCA.

Good assortment of local and national links to help:
http://www.seattle.gov/html/citizen/japanrelief.htm

[The Straight Story]

2. K&R will add some later if/when come across them (nt)

[suffragette]

4. Thanks - the more, the better

[suffragette]

5. Links to help animals in Japan

Here's a link to the article and links to the organizations in the article. There's more info on each in the article itself.


http://www.king5.com/community/blogs/the-pet-dish/How-to-help-animals-affected-by-Japan-disaster-118018319.html

http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support
Coalition of three groups - HEART-Tokushima, Animal Garden Niigata and Japan Cat Network.


http://www.arkbark.net/?q=en/node/2901
Animal Refuge Kansai


http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/98/html/index.html
Search Dog Foundation


http://www.hsi.org/news/news/2011/03/japan_aid_plan_031411.html
Humane Society International


http://www.worldvets.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=203
World Vets

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-Earthquake-Animal-Rescue-and-Support/207835229228979
Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Facebook page

[AsahinaKimi]

6. I have donated 100 dollars to

http://www.globalgiving.org. I plan to donate more next month. Thanks for posting your links.

どうもありがとうございました

[suffragette]

10. Thank you!

What does it say at the bottom of your post?

[onestepforward]

7. Doctors Without Borders

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

On Wednesday, the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team in northeastern Japan, which now consists of 12 people, established an operational base in Tome, in northern Miyagi prefecture.

Two members of the team continued to work with local doctors in evacuation centers in Minami Sanriku. Two others went to Oshima Island, just off the coast, and worked in two additional evacuation centers there. They were the first medical personnel to come to the island and saw around 40 patients, most of whom had lost their medications for their chronic diseases.

A third MSF group went further north into Miyagi prefecture to make an assessment of the needs in the town Kesennuma, learning upon arrival that national medical teams were present.

The majority of consultations were elderly patients with chronic diseases. Many of them were running out of medications for hypertension and diabetes. Snow and sub-zero temperatures further complicated the picture. Cases of hypothermia were seen, as were respiratory tract infections, which could also be linked to the crowded conditions in some of the evacuation centers.

MSF ordered 25,000 blankets from a supply base in Dubai that should arrive in the next few days.

On Thursday, MSF staff continued to work in the evacuation centers in Minami Sanriku and in different areas around Kesennuma. Other team members began additional assessments further to the north.

In Tokyo, the emergency coordination team is working to get food donations to people in evacuation centers. They are also planning to procure donations of water that can be driven by truck to the affected area, now that road access has improved. Another 5,000 blankets have been purchased in Tokyo and will be delivered by Sunday.

[suffragette]

11. Really shows the specific impact of that help

Thank you!

[eridani]

8. Some advice from GuideStar

http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/nonprofits-working-in-the-pacific.aspx?hq_e=el&hq_m=1001643&hq_l=5&hq_v=d2d73a10c5

Do a little research.

Use a reputable source, such as GuideStar, or one of our partners, such as Network for Good or JustGive, to identify charities doing the work you want to support. All of the charities listed on these sites are legitimate organizations recognized by the IRS, and you can contribute directly from the sites.

If you already have an organization in mind and are familiar with its Web site, you can do your research there. Be careful, however, if you haven't been to the site before or don't know the organization well. Con artists often post bogus Web sites and run scam donation campaigns immediately after a disaster. If you aren't already familiar with a relief organization's site, protect yourself by linking to it from a trusted site such as GuideStar, Network for Good, or JustGive. Avoid new Web sites and links provided in e-mails. And don't text your donation unless you're very sure that you're texting a legitimate organization.

http://www1.networkforgood.org/help-survivors-pacific-quake-tsunami

[suffragette]

12. ***Read eridani's post***

Great info, eridani.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1221

is another to go to and check. The link above also has specific info for Japan.

Highly recommend doing this!



Peace Winds is not on those lists. However, Mercy Corps (which is) has partnered with it for some time and since Peace Winds already had presence there, they might be able to avoid some of the issues I've been noticing some other NGO's have been having.

http://www.mercycorps.org/pressreleases/23507

I can't give much, so I'm happy Uwajimaya will match my donation and I plan to go there tomorrow. If you see some other info I should be aware of before doing that, please post it here.

[shockra]

9. Food for Life Global

To contribute toward vegan food relief.

http://www.ffl.org/

This organization serves over 2 million meals daily.

[suffragette]

13. Thanks!

[jumptheshadow]

14. For New Yorkers: Japan Society Event

http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=10a81178

Saturday, April 9th, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The line-up of performers still seems to be developing but now includes Phillip Glass, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Watch the website for more details.

[suffragette]

16. Thanks!

Looked at their website and it said "100% of the admission sales from this event will go to the
Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. "

Also from their Faq section:

http://www.japansociety.org/frequently_asked_questions

3. What percentage of my donation will go to administrative costs?

100% of donations will go directly to organizations in Japan contributing to the relief and recovery effort. Japan Society is absorbing the administrative costs of establishing the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and processing donations.

[cilla4progress]

15. Exactly the info I've been looking for -

I've been waiting to donate for a few days, as I'm certain ongoing funds are welcome, AND agencies need to get on the ground and organized to receive.

I was considering UNICEF, always a favorite for me. But now thinking Mercy Corps might be better if their sister organization Peace Winds is already on the ground? I want my funds to have the most impact - not going to administrative or setup costs. Will check out charity navigator - thanks!

[suffragette]

17. UNICEF looks like a great choice

http://www.centredaily.com/2011/03/17/2590038/japan-disaster-unicef-tips-on.html

NEW YORK, March 17, 2011 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is raising funds to help children in Japan impacted by the recent earthquake and tsunami. Because of the unprecedented nature of the epic disaster and its impact on children, resources are going to be critical in helping provide for the very unique needs of children. These include education, health, development, protection and other needs that have been compromised or disrupted in the wake of this catastrophe. 100% of all donations to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will support programs in Japan.

How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:

Website: www.unicefusa.org/japan

Text: Text JAPAN to 864233 to donate $10

Toll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDS (1-800-367-5437)


And from their webpage, they already have structure in Japan:
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/japan_21538.html

[cilla4progress]

18. Done! - through UNICEF

Thanks, Suffragette.

[suffragette]

19. Fantastic

I had been thinking about going to Uwajimaya on Saturday anyway and they'll match my meager donation for more oomph, so I'll do it that way.

[shockra]

20. Donate to GreaterGood.org

...through The Animal Rescue Site.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com

They will earmark funds toward emergency assistance and recovery for animal victims.

(Also, click for free food for shelter animals while you're there.) :)

[suffragette]

21. Good page on them on Snopes that the click for free food is True

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/animalrescue.asp

Thanks shockra.