How Can I Help Japan (domestic donations)

Crooked Letters, Straight Lines - Jottings from the other side of the pond

 

Needless to say, I’ve been a bit distracted by current events. One thing that many of my friends, family and colleagues have asked is how they can help Japan in its moment of need. 

 

There are many organizations that need your support for their relief efforts on the ground. I would suggest giving directly to those organizations that are doing the work on the ground because they can at least guarantee that money and goods go directly to their relief efforts. Of course there are many general donation sites that accept money but they do not give the relief organizations or non-profit organizations (NGO) the money until weeks or months later. 

 

I know there are many people who want to donate their time and relief/disaster experience. But, at the moment I think many of the groups are asking for donations. If this situation changes, I’ll update the information here.

 

The list below is based on the information I got from my friend, Sarajean who is a Tokyo-based NGO consultant. She facilitates workshops, seminars and projects aimed at developing skills, organizational capacity understanding of global issues and effective partnerships. 

news.google.com

List of Organizations (Note for cash donations, please indicate your donation is for Tohoku/Japan Tsunami/Earthquake.)

 

1. Second Harvest Japan

They are seeking cash donations outside of Japan. These funds will be used to help the people in Tohoku by getting relief supplies directly to them. You can donate money here: http://www.2hj.org/index.php/get_involved/donate_money

 

2. Peace Boat Japan

Secure online donations from overseas can be made via their affiliate Peace Boat US, using your credit card or PayPal. (Peace Boat US is a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit.) You can donate here: http://www.peaceboat-us.org/2_new/110316/index.shtml

 

3. Peace Winds Japan

Mercy Corps is the US partner for Peace Winds Japan. They worked together after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. You can donate with your credit card from their English web site (in Japanese yen):https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan

 

4. Japan Emergency NGOs (JEN)

JEN has an online English web page for overseas donations. Your donations will support a local NGO that is assisting the people in Tohoku. You can donate with your credit here: https://www.jen-npo.org/en/involved/donate1.php

 

5. Association for Aid and Relief, Japan

Overseas Bank transfers:
Bank Name: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Meguro Branch
Account Number: 1161451
Account Name: Association for Aid and Relief, JAPAN
Address: AAR, 5F, Mizuho Building, 2-12-2 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021 Japan
Swift Code: BOTKJPJT
Bank Address: Meguro Build B2 3-1-1 Kamiosaki Sinagawa-ku Tokyo Japan

 

6. AMDA (formerly Association of Medical Doctors of Asia)

To support AMDA’s activities, you can transfer your donation to the following bank account from outside Japan:
Bank Account name: AMDA
Address: Ifuku-cyou 3-31-1 Kita-ku Okayama-city, Japan
Name of Bank: The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
Name of Branch:Okayama Ekimae Branch
SWFT: BOTKJPJT
Account No.:0040514 (for transfer in US Dollars only)
In order to keep track of donations, please email them with your full name, your address and the amount of your donation: info@amdainternational.com.

Web site: http://www.amdainternational.com/