How to Help Out With Tsunami and Earthquake Relief

In response to the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami aftermath in Japan and the Pacific, locally-based organizations are taking up the cause of people and families, whose lives have been forever changed.

Last Friday, the largest earthquake in 140 years struck Japan along with a Tsunami that hit the Pacific region. The earthquake registered at a magnitude of 8.9; the quake and tsunami combo leveled buildings, cracked highways, and generated high casulties with hundreds of unsuspecting citizens missing, wounded, and killed.

Patch has crafted a list of organizations that are accepting assistance and donations to help out with this crisis:

• American Red Cross; Nationwide the American Red Cross is accepting text donations to help the relief efforts for those affected by the tragedy. Make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or go to their website and give a gift to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

• Global Giving; This D.C. group is collecting donations that will be dispersed to various groups to provide relief and aid to victims. The website has two donation funds the Emergency Aid to Tsunami & Earthquake Survivors and the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

• Convoy Of Hope; The DC global relief  organization is accepting online donations. You can also text TSUNAMI to 50555 and donate $10 to Convoy of Hope’s Disaster Response efforts.
• Adventists Development and Relief Agency (ADRA);  ADRA's international headquarters is located in Silver, Spring MD and offers a few ways for citizens to get involved with the relief efforts. Visit the website to get info on giving contributions via the phone, mail, or internet to the Emergency Response Fund.
• Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT); An AMURT team is travelling with the Japanese Self-Defense Force from Nagano to Sendai in order to do disaster assessment. The Rockville, MD non-profit is expecting there will be a great need for volunteers. Check their website to see if you can join.
• Operation Blessing International (OBI); With a warehouse located in Virginia Beach, VA, OBI is offering ways to help. Currently, OBI is acessing the situation and formulating what is the most effective way to help as many people as possible. In the mean time donations can be made online on their website to the Disaster Relief Fund.
• Baptist World Alliance; This is a fellowship of Baptist conventions and unions associated with the branch in Falls Church, VA. People can give gifts to help on their website.

Many organizations are still trying to determine the best way to aid with this tragedy. To find out more ways to help or offer condolence emails check out the Embassy of Japan's website, and look at some of these organizations that are helping with disaster relief.