Help for Japan


Japan’s massive 8.9 earthquake last week creates new headlines every day as the world sits and watches the rescue and recovery mission. People everywhere seem to be asking how they can get involved and help in the recovery process. Many of the headlines are the same. Professionals in the area are asking that people wait until they have a slightly better understanding of the efforts they are going to be dealing with. That being said, locals to the area are welcome to contribute to the effort in any way they can. In this sense, the volunteer opportunity is in your backyard.

A lot of people think that volunteering means finding a major organization, being assigned a specific and organized job, and getting to work. Sure, this is one way to volunteer, but volunteering starts much smaller than that. Volunteering is merely about providing aid in any way that it is needed. Drop in on the elderly couple that live on your block and see if they need help recovering parts of their house, or offer to go the long distance to the markets that still have food on the shelves. Stop in a local clinic and offer them your free hours, assisting in any way they might be able to use you. Go to your neighborhood animal shelter and offer your time there. Or stop and assist those out on the streets trying to clear away the simple debris.

One way to help, while honoring the request to stay put until further notice, is to donate to a relief organization that is already on the ground in the area. With many large relief organizations like Red Cross or Medecins Sans Frontiers, you can earmark your money so that it goes to helping a specific cause or group. If you want to donate directly, The Japan Emergency Team is a good place to start. This website has popped up recently, and it is full of information about the ongoing situation and volunteer climate.

Finally, a last little indirect bump of assistance you can provide to Japan is by finally taking that trip to visit the country. With the expensive relief effort ahead, the country’s economy can surely benefit from your tourism.

Posted by | Comments (4)  | March 16, 2011
Category: Asia, Volunteering Abroad


4 Responses to “Help for Japan”

  1. Asa Says:

    While making a donation is always a good thing, I would encourage people to NOT earmark donations for Japan. In fact, I don’t believe Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiers) allows or wants people to earmark donations for Japan. See this note for details. Also, be wary of new sites that have popped up recently soliciting donations for Japan. Better to support organizations like Doctors without Borders or the Red Cross who have been working in Japan already and then to give an unrestricted donation so they can use the money most effectively wherever the crisis might be.

  2. Help for Japan | Travel Guide And Holiday Says:

    […] Vagablogging :: Rolf Potts Vagabonding Blog Related Posts:Indonesia’s Darmasiswa ScholarshipViator Travel Update: TokyoAdapt Japan Relief T-ShirtEmergency disaster response: Oceanic editionLessons from Japan: Earthquake Survival 101 […]

  3. Colleen Wilde Says:

    Thanks for the reply Asa. That last pop-up site is an information site. They are not asking for direct donations, though they can point you in the direction of those who are.