If you’ve been watching the news wondering how to help the Japanese people respond to this indescribable disaster, here are a few ideas:
Catholic charitable agencies are accepting donations for Japan and other countries affected by the magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunamis that followed. You can send donations to Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ international relief and development agency, or to Caritas, the church’s international disaster relief and development umbrella organzation.
The International Red Cross has already begun relief work. Visit Redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone. You can use your “causes” Facebook ap to give directly to the American Red Cross as well.
Other familiar agencies with boots on the ground are Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, and World Vision.
The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund was launched at GlobalGiving. to gather funds that will be given to a variety of relief organizations helping victims of the earthquake. Mercy Corps is gathering donations for its overseas partner, Peace Winds Japan.
Google has launched the Person Finder: 2011 Japan Earthquake to help connect people that may have been displaced due to the disaster. Google has also launched a crisis response page aggregating local resources and emergency information.
Please feel free to share any legitimate services, agencies or useful newslinks with us via the comments section. It goes without saying to remember these folks in your prayers tonight.
