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Rescue workers look for missing people who were lost in the tsunami, in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture (AFP photo)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members search for the victims of Friday's tsunami in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, …
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers urge an elderly woman to move to higher ground during a tsunami warning …
International aid group World
Vision has declared the 9.0 magnitude Japan earthquake-tsunami a Category 3,
Level 3 emergency – which is the highest rating in terms of the scale and scope
of response, and is appealing globally for USD10 million to meet the critical
needs of desperate survivors.
Reports indicate that over 50 million people are affected directly and
indirectly. The confirmed death toll has climbed to 3,400 people, but more than
15,000 are still missing, while at least 500,000 people have been made
homeless.
A total of 63,000 homes were
damaged, many completely destroyed as entire coastal villages were swept away.
The threat of the spread of radiation is causing great concern, while the
government has set up a 20 kilometre exclusion zone around the power plants.
You can find the latest news on the quake here.
“This situation is, understandably, very chaotic,” said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision Japan’s manager for humanitarian and emergency affairs.
“I’ve served on disaster response programmes in Kenya, Sudan, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Haiti and the needs I’m seeing in my own country are as bad as anything I’ve seen globally.”
Here's how you can help:
1. ORGANISATIONS
Mercy Relief: The organisation has deployed a two-man preliminary disaster response team to Japan to ascertain ground needs and procure relief supplies. The MR team will help distribute supplies with UN agencies. It will also collaborate with local non-governmental organisations to support their relief efforts. With an initial tranche of USD $20,000 provided by SAP Asia Pacific Japan, the team will help address the pressing needs for food, water and quilts.
For cheque donations, please make the cheque payable to Mercy Relief Limited and send it to the Mercy Relief office at Blk 160 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh #01-1568 Singapore 310160. On the back of the cheque, indicate ‘Japan Quake and Tsunami Relief’’.
Cash donations can also be made at the Mercy Relief office. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am - 7pm. For ATM transfers/internet banking, Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account is 054-900493-6. Credit card donations can be made via eNets at www.mercyrelief.org
Singapore Red Cross: The organisation has started a hotline (6334-9152 / 6334-9153 / 6334-9154) to help those in Singapore get in touch with relatives in Japan. The SRC will take down details of the missing person and forward the information on to its sister national society, the Japanese Red Cross Society and the International Committee of Red Cross. It is also working with the Japanese Association to raise funds.
For cheque donations, please make the cheque payable to Singapore Red Cross Society and mail to the SRC office at Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486. On the back of the cheque, indicate ‘Japan disaster 2011′, name of donor/organisation, contact numbers and address.
Cash donations can also be made at the SRC office during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 9 pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, 9.30 am - 6pm.
The public can also SMS “Red Cross” to 75772. Each message will cost $50. The SRC is also working with banks like DBS, OCBC and UOB, to allow donations through ATMs and the Internet.
World Vision Singapore: A World Vision assessment team has arrived in the quake zone to assess the needs of the survivors and prepare supplies. The team brought baby supplies, warm clothing, food and daily necessities for distribution. World Vision also plans to establish child-friendly spaces so children affected by the disasters can resume normal childhood activities and experience structure and security.
For cheque donations, please make the cheque payable to World Vision International and mail to the World Vision office at 750B Chai Chee Road, #03-02, Technopark @ Chai Chee, Singapore 469002. On the back of the cheque, indicate ‘Japan disaster’.
Cash donations can also be made at the World Vision office. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm.
You can donate online at http://www.worldvision.org.sg/japandisaster/The Japanese Association: Cash donations are accepted at the reception on the first floor between 9am and 9pm daily. The association is located at 120 Adam Road. Tel: 6468 0066.
2. CORPORATIONS
Hilton HHonors: The hotel chain's HHonors program is asking members to donate their points and the group will match dollar-for-dollar up to US$250,000. Hilton is working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on this project.
Giosis Gmarket: Gmarket has set up a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief fund to help those affected by the recent earthquake. Gmarket will direct funds to relief organizations located in Japan to contribute to the recovery.
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