Reuters/Kyodo, courtesy Trust.org - AlertNet

 On Friday, March 11 an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami devastated parts of northern Japan. Reports indicate that over 10,000 people have lost their lives. Millions of people have been affected by the disaster.

Japan has a highly developed disaster response system and the Japanese Red Cross has over two million registered volunteers. InterAction member organizations are deploying response teams and have strong partnerships with civil society groups in Japan who are responding.

For more information about volunteering after a disaster, visit the Center for International Disaster Information.

The media attention following this disaster has brought about a compassionate response from Americans. However, many are not sure of how they can best support the efforts of groups and governments responding.  InterAction has developed guidelines on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters.  

 InterAction member organizations have strong partnerships with civil society groups in Japan who are responding to the earthquake    Read the New York Times blog post by InterAction's Joel Charny on how to best support relief efforts in Japan.

Media Contact: Sue Pleming (spleming@interaction.org) or Tawana Jacobs (tjacobs@interaction.org)

InterAction phone number: 202-667-8227

donate
Assessment teams reached the severely affected city of Sendai in the Miyagi Prefecture within 24 hours after a 30-foot (7-meter) tsunami wave crashed through the city, destroying...
donate
We currently have a team working in Japan. Our operations have been based in an office in Tokyo, with our team networking with individuals and organizations actively responding to...
donate
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is collecting funds for relief efforts and has reached out to the Japanese Government to offer its expertise in earthquake...
donate
The American Red Cross is supporting the Japanese Red Cross in their response to the impact of the earthquake and tsunami disaster. The American Red Cross has provided an advisor...
donate
AmeriCares emergency team is on full alert mobilizing resources in response to the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan. AmeriCares has dispatched a...
donate
Update : 03/12/2011 - An AMURT team is travelling with the Japanese Self-Defense Force from Nagano to Sendai in order to do disaster assessment. Please see www.amurt.net for more...
donate
Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance is responding to the various needs following Japan’s catastrophe. BWAid’s Rescue 24 team...
donate
Brother's Brother Foundation in cooperation with the Japan-American Society of Pennsylvania will respond to requested needs of the residents of Japan as related to the...
donate
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation has activated its Disaster Coordination Center in Tokyo, Japan. Right now, Tzu Chi offices in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan sustained minor damaged to the...
donate
Tzu Chi volunteers delivered hot meals and distributed relief supplies to the disaster survivors in Ibaraki and Iwate Prefectures. Supplies distributed include instant rice,...
donate
CARE is working closely with the Japanese government on an appropriate response. CARE has delivered food, water and other supplies in northern Japan and will be coordinating with...
donate
In Japan, CRS is providing assistance through our sister agency, Caritas Japan. CRS has programs in the Philippines and Indonesia and works with Caritas Oceania that is active in...
donate
ChildFund International is supporting ChildFund Japan's response efforts in northeastern Japan. ChildFund Japan will attend to immediate physical needs brought about by the...
donate
CRWRC is responding immediately with partners by distributing blankets, food, clothing, and handwarmers. Immediate and longer-term efforts are being coordinated Accord, Food for...
donate
The CWS response centers on emergency relief support to at least 5,000 families, about 25,000 individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeastern area of Japan....
donate
Direct Relief International has mobilized its emergency response team to offer medical humanitarian assistance to partners around the Pacific Rim in the wake of the Japan...
donate
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting the relief efforts of the Nippon Sei Ko Kei (NSKK; the Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan). Donations to the Japan Earthquake...
donate
Giving Children Hope is currently contacting partners on the ground to assess damage and immediate needs in affected communities. Once greatest needs are made clear, GCHope will...
donate
Medical Response Teams, IDP Assistance, Recovery Assistance, Family support, and counseling.
donate
Habitat for Humanity will assess the damage caused by the earthquake in Japan and in the countries affected by the tsunami and help as needed.
donate
In response to the earthquake and devastating tsunami which occurred last week in Japan, Handicap International is gearing toward sending a small team of technical staff from its...
donate
Heart to Heart International invests heavily in disaster-readiness capabilities and is responding to the crisis in Japan. Our response has taken the form of (1) targeted resources...
donate
International Medical Corps is responding to the situation in Japan and tsunami-warning areas. We are putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with...
donate
IRD is responding to the Tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, 2011 with an emergency assessment team to identify key relief, stabilization and reconstruction programming priorities...
donate
The International Rescue Committee is directing donations and other support to partner Japanese aid groups on the ground, delivering immediate assistance to earthquake and tsunami...
donate
Islamic Relief teams in Malaysia, Indonesia and China have been requested by the Japanese government to be on standby and are closely monitoring the situation. Islamic Relief...
donate
Life for Relief and Development is responding to the humanitarian crisis in Japan by providing food, water and medical aid through partners working on the ground in the affected...
donate
Medical Teams International is working with local partners in Japan to help provide water, food and other essential needs to survivors of the earthquake and tsunami. We are...
donate
Mercy Corps is accepting donations to provide emergency assistance to earthquake and tsunami survivors in Japan on behalf of our longstanding partner, Peace Winds Japan. Donations...
donate
Operation Blessing and partner IsraAID are currently staging at the OB Philippines office located in Manila and preparing to deploy medical teams, along with gear and supplies, to...
donate
working through Japanese partner NGOs to arrange shipments of pre-cleared supplies to communities in need; longer term plans include rebuilding schools and clinics as funds allow
donate
PDA is responding to needs from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan and the ensuing tsunami across the Pacific Rim. PDA is also assessing needs in the US affected by...
donate
Relief International is working with Japanese aid groups to provide immediate medical support to survivors. We are providing support to and through local doctors on the ground now...
donate
The Salvation Army in Japan has three emergency service relief teams working in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. One of the teams is assisting people who have been...
donate
Save the Children is mobilizing its global resources to respond to the needs of children and families affected by the earthquake and its aftermath, and an international emergency...
donate
UMCOR and the General Board of Global Ministries are working through relief and church partners in Japan to respond to and provide immediate assistance. These partners include...
donate
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is raising funds to help children in Japan impacted by the recent earthquake and tsunami.
donate
World Concern is working through Global Relief Alliance partners to assess critical needs and respond with technical expertise and/or direct aid as needs are identified.
donate
World Vision will conduct rapid assessments when staff can access affected areas. Regional and global disaster response teams are on standby to respond if necessary.