I'd like opinions on the best charities to get aid to Japan for earthquake/tsunami relief.

Some of the usual charities I think of in disaster situations are the International Red Cross, Mercy Corps, Doctors without Borders. Of course, there are many others which do similar work.

Anyone have information on which organizations can get aid to these people quickly?

Kim, do you have thoughts about this?

I am not so familiar with who is doing work here I do know that the Red Cross has been designated as the group locals around me should donate to. I saw today that the religious group World Vision was assisting but I know neither about them nor exactly what they are doing. I was wondering myself about if there was a more direct route for donations and planned today to investigate that at City Hall. Will post what I find out later.

Thanks, Kim.

The Japan America Society of Southern California and the Japanese American Community Cultural Center of Los Angeles both suggest donating to the Red Cross.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,7936585.story

The first $100,000 donated to Citizen Effect Japan Earthquake Relief Fund will be matched by Google chairman/CEO Eric Schmidt. Funds eventually go to the Red Cross.

http://citizeneffect.org/projects/ja...ke-relief-fund

What I've found out is that Red Cross seems to be the best way. There are neighborhood donation collections, and even those are going to the Red Cross first it seems. I had hoped to find a direct way...but I also think that I have no idea what is required where and perhaps that is best managed by experts on such as large scale as this.

According to the Red Cross if the donations are not used for Japan then they will use it for some other causes.

What we are seeing in Thailand, from my friends who own joint venture businesses with Japanese companies like Thai Yamaha, Thai Isuzu etc., is that they are collecting money jointly with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce. This money is supposedly being transfer to Japan on a daily basis for immediate relief. Perhaps you can check with the USA equivelant of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce for such relief effort in the US.

The <i>New York Times</i> had an article today and they listed the Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross among others. They also listed the Lions Club International, which given their membership in Japan, and the number of local Japanese area clubs, might not be a bad idea at all. See http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-fou...pan-update.php. The Red Cross I think you can find on your own.

Kathie,

This is where we sent our donation:

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/..._00002070.html

Aloha!

American Airlines is encouraging donations to the Red Cross and will give FF miles for donations when you go through the AA site. They are giving 250 FF miles for a $50 dnation and 500 FF miles for $100 or more.

Thnaks to all of you for your thoughts about this.

(HT, I can't get your link to work)

Kathie,
It is the Japanese Red Cross Society website which was on till just now.....seems they are all down now, sorry. Check later as they hopefully will be back up soon. They will get all money donated directly to the prefectures that need help. I am at work so don't have the direct info but will get it to you when I get home if the site is not up by then.

Aloha!

This was recommended to me by friends in Tokyo, local Japanese

http://www.2hj.org/index.php/news/se..._and_supplies/

I encourage to donate here, there is a clear list of what is most

needed as donations. Thank you everyone for your interest!

Kathie, thanks for starting this thread, it's a good question to ask and I'm glad some fodorites can steer people like myself in the right direction.

Kathie
The link is working now. Looks updated

Aloha!

Thanks, HT, I just found it was working again .

i made a donation at a local bank which setup an account to accept donations for the tsunami relief.

i made the check payable to the japan america society of hawaii.

United is also offering FF miles for $$ they will pass on to the Red Cross.

http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,53715,00.html

First, Kathie, thank you so much for this posting.

Here's a link for information about how you can contribute to the relief effort through Rotary International.

http://www.rotary.org/RIdocuments/en...und_faq_en.pdf

There are a lot of Rotary Club members in Japan who will help distribute the funds.

http://greenz.jp/2011/03/16/japan_needs_help/

I posted this a few days ago in the Lounge:

Save the Children: Emergency Relief for Japan Quake
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake
Toll free: 800-728-3843
Text JAPAN or 20222 to donate.

The American Red Cross: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief
www.redcross.org
Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

Salvation Army
donate.salvationarmyusa.org
Toll free: 800-SAL-ARMY
Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

International Medical Corps
www.internationalmedicalcorps.org
Text MED or 80888 to donate $10

AmeriCares
www.americares.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Global Giving
www.globalgiving.org
Text JAPAN or 50555 to donate $10

World Vision
www.worldvision.org
Toll Free: 888-56-CHILD Text 4JAPAN to 20222 to donate $10