The unprecedented magnitude of the earthquake and tsunami that wiped out several of Japan’s coastal cities proved to be a contrast from the amount of relief the country received from outside sources.
According to an article in The Washington Post, the American Red Cross had received $92.3 million in aid within a week after the earthquake in Haiti last year, but only $47 million within the same amount of time after the disaster in Japan. World Vision, a Christian humanitarian aid group, had raised $15.8 million within the week following Haiti’s crisis while only $3 million was raised for Japan.
Where has all the help gone?
Japan’s economic status — the third-largest in the world before the earthquake — along with its productive and self-reliant culture seem to have cultivated a belief that the country needs less outside help.
However, photographs of the hardest-hit areas of Japan challenge this “have more, need less” perspective by revealing pictures of buildings diminished to toothpicks, cars and planes tossed about like toys and faces of people who have lost loved ones. Japan’s national police agency reported March 28 that more than 10,000 people are dead and close to 17,500 are listed as missing. The suffering in Japan is real.
Fortunately, people looking to give can ensure their money goes to places that are most in need.
Organizations like Charity Navigator, an independent and non-profit group, research and evaluate American charities so that donors can make more intelligent and purposeful donations. Its website, CharityNavigator.org, presents tips for those seeking a reputable charity along with red flags to help donors recognize a possible unreliable aid organization. The site offers income statements of charities and a breakdown of expenses for each. Viewers can read ratings written by people who have given to a charity and can see how long an organization has operated. Donors can even track where their money is spent.
College students don’t have much money, but most charities will accept any amount, and compassion is shown through even small donations.
We need to remain aware of Japan’s situation and the state of its people. We need to remain aware that a natural disaster strikes in moments, but its aftermath lingers regardless of how stable a country was before.
Embrace the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
Below are the sites of some well-respected charities:
Redcross.org
Mercycorps.org
Americares.org
Globalgiving.org
Savethechildren.org
Remember even a $5-$10 donation can do some good.
