A week ago I was hired to teach English in Akita City, Japan. The headquarters of the school that hired me is located in Sendai, where yesterday's devastating earthquake and tsunami struck. I have no idea what the status is of the headquarters, its schools in northern Japan, or any of the people who work and study there. I emailed the person who hired me, telling them I hoped they were doing okay, but of course I haven't heard back from her.
For anyone who would like to help in the relief and recovery efforts in Japan, please see the following agency and organization websites, which I found online here at Yahoo News. Donations can be made through Network for Food's secure website. I will copy and paste the information below.
AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate here.
GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.
SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.
SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. Donate here.
AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.
CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.
SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. Donate here.
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So painful to watch live news and videos updated whole day. My prayers are with our friends & their families living in those affected provinces. God bless the victims in north Japan
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to hear about what has happened to those who would've been your neighbors and colleagues. I hope that they were safe, though so many lost their lives.
ReplyDeleteMei: I agree, and thank you so much for your shared concern and prayers!
ReplyDeleteTangled Noodle: Thank you for your concern. In fact, in Akita people were mostly unaffected, and even now they're protected from the radiation by a chain of tall mountains. It's such an unfathomable tragedy. I can hardly stand to watch the news anymore.