Lending a Hand to Japan

I write for a blog called SecondAct Magazine where I write stories on anything from features to food to philanthropy. Here is a post I wrote about the recent tsunami in Japan:

Billions of people watched as a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and its aftermath devastated Japan. The death toll mounts in what Prime Minister Naoto Kan describes as Japan's worst crisis since World War II.

Relief organizations have mobilized a global effort to assist the people of Japan and are requesting donations of money, rather than food and clothing, to preserve scarce resources such as transportation and warehouse space. If you would like to help, here are some key organizations spearheading humanitarian efforts:

American Red Cross

The Red Cross has mobilized 700 chapters around the world and has already given $10 million to Japan. The organization's giving page is here. Or you can text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to send a $10 donation.

GlobalGiving

Founded in 2003, GlobalGiving is an online marketplace that allows donors to select causes they wish to support. In Japan, the group is disbursing funds to organizations providing emergency services, including the International Medical Corps, Save the Children and Japanese organizations on scene. Donate here.

The United Nations Foundation

The foundation's emergency response fund is collecting donations here.

AmeriCares

Founded in 1982, the Connecticut-based nonprofit provides emergency disaster relief. Here is theJapan relief donations page.

The Salvation Army

To donate specifically to the Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan, click here or text "JAPAN" or "QUAKE" to 80888 to send a $10 donation.

Habitat for Humanity

The Georgia-based nonprofit plans to help with cleanup and rebuilding efforts. Donate here.

Convoy of Hope

This international organization based in Montana is focusing on getting water, food and emergency supplies to Japan. You can donate online here or text "TSUNAMI" to 50555 to send a $10 donation.

Save the Children

The group is primarily concerned with the welfare of children during and after disasters. Donatehere.

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

This organization works to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters, including Japan. You can donate here.

International Medical Corps

Founded in 1984, the corps is assisting with health-care needs during the disaster. Donate here or text "MED" to 80888 to send a $10 donation.

WorldVision

The organization provides emergency supplies such as clean water, food, medical supplies and shelter to survivors in Japan.

Unicef

Unicef focuses on the needs of children in disaster areas. Donate here.

More About Relief Efforts:

• Resources: Google has set up an online Crisis Response Center that helps locate people in Japan or track down other on-the-ground information.
• Do Your Homework: Many groups are collecting money in the wake of the disaster, but not all are reputable. Take the time to research organizations that ask for money by using sites such asCharity Navigator and GuideStar.
• On Texting: Texting was praised during the Haiti relief efforts as an expedient way to send money, but MSN Money notes that text donations for Japan may experience a slight delay because organizations typically will not receive the money until after donors pay their cell phone bills.