Why isn't there a bigger push for donations for Japan?

[JeffersonChick]

I seem to remember that when Haiti was hit, every TV channel I turned on showed where and how to donate. Haven't seen anything for Japan.

:shrug:

[dbackjon]

1. They have been on American Idol

Probably because Japan is a fairly wealthy nation - Haiti, not so much

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Because Japan is a wealthy economy, the third in the world

while they need help, (and more than we are admitting, that little nuke issue, if it was just a quake they would not) people have that belief that they do not.

On the other hand Haiti is the poorest country in the America's.

[Liberal_in_LA]

19. yep.

[NewJeffCT]

3. Per capita income in Japan is $33,828/year

In Haiti, the per capita income is $1,121 per year. Japan is a wealthy country with a strong infrastructure. Haiti is dirt poor and has little infrastructure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita

[hyphenate]

4. I would think probably for the same reason

that there wasn't a huge push for aid to New Zealand--Haiti is an impoverished country, with a higher percentage of its population uneducated, while Japan is a world power, and has more of the resources needed to help rescue itself.

I had asked the same question when it came to NZ, and it was answered that they had those resources to make a go of rescue work.

[abelenkpe]

5. Billboards all over LA

asking for donations to Red Cross for Japan. Kids school is also collecting and work, etc.

[EFerrari]

7. I hope the American Red Cross isn't using a disaster (again)

to raise monies for their operating expenses.

[CountAllVotes]

8. that is why I contribute to ...

Go ahead an flame me, I do not care ... Catholic Relief Services ( http://www.crs.org/ ). They spend 95% of the money they collect on programs. They are on the ground in Japan already providing much needed assistance.

[remember2000forever]

11. Me Too!

[CountAllVotes]

14. it is a good organization

I am not a devout Catholic by a long shot but when there is a disaster, I contribute to them. They were first on the ground after Katrina, Rita and yes, they were even in international countries that have had recent disasters like Indonesia and India, etc.

I'm glad to know I am not the only member of the DU that contributes to them! :D

[Bragi]

12. Really? Are you sure?

I have no doubt they are a credible organization, but the Japanese Government has asked aid organizations to stay home for now, so I doubt they are actually on the ground at this time.

See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/are-charities-taking-advantage-of-the-urge-to-help-japan/article1946825/

[EFerrari]

16. They were already there, apparently, in the area.

"The U.S. bishops' Catholic Relief Services was working with Caritas Japan. A CRS spokeswoman said her agency was ready to help in other Asian countries where it already worked."

http://www.catholicsun.org/2011/march/14/japan-unfold.html

[Bragi]

17. Got it /nt

[EFerrari]

13. Wow, that's great.

Especially now when everyone is so strapped, it's good to know who is responsible with their expenses and who isn't. :hi:

[LiberalAndProud]

6. I don't really know, but the first thing that popped into my head was

that Limbaugh told us not to.

That is all.

[Bragi]

9. Japan's Red Cross (and Crescent) says it does NOT seek donations

The Japanese Red Cross has not issued an international appeal. The organization “has determined that external assistance is not required, and is therefore not seeking funding or other assistance from donors at this time,” said a bulletin issued this week by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Even the United Nations conceded this week that while it has sent a disaster-response team to Japan, the deployment was unusual because “the government of Japan has a very strong disaster-preparedness and response mechanism in place.”

Are charities taking advantage of the urge to help Japan?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/are-charities-taking-advantage-of-the-urge-to-help-japan/article1946825/

[RebelOne]

10. Our Kroger supermarkets here in North Georgia

are requesting customers to round off their grocery totals for donations to Japan.

[Bragi]

15. Listen up people: THEY DON'T WANT DONATIONS!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/are-charities-taking-advantage-of-the-urge-to-help-japan/article1946825/

[CountAllVotes]

18. bull

(CNN) -- The world continues to mobilize to help victims after a massive earthquake and tsunami sparked a nuclear crisis in Japan.

Google is helping victims touch base with friends and loved ones. Its People Finder, which was tracking almost 309,200 records as of Thursday, allows users to look for victims or post information about people. It works in five languages.

As nations offer monetary aid, condolences and rescue teams, many people around the world are seeking ways to ease the burden on the Japanese government and people.

The humanitarian group World Vision has personnel on the ground distributing first relief supplies like water, diapers, blankets and powdered milk to victims and their children in affected areas.

It also plans to establish one or more "child-friendly spaces" for kids "affected by disasters to resume normal childhood activities and experience structure and security that are often lost following emergency situations."

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/14/iyw.howtohelp.japan/index.html

There is an extensive list on this link, including organizations like "Doctors Without Borders", Save the Children, etc. etc. etc.

How can you possibly think that they do not want any help?

[Turborama]

20. K&R

Thanks for the link.

[Bluebear]

22. +++

[Bonobo]

21. No where does it say that. WTF is your problem anyway? nt

[Raine]

23. I heard a media talking head say the Japan has not

really sought donations, maybe or maybe not ... I don't know. :shrug: