Posted on 03/17/2011 6:30:25 AM PDT by quesney
To Japanese and Japan-based Freepers:
What's the best, quickest way of getting aid to people on the ground directly -- via local groups, religious instutitons, etc.
I'd rather not give it to an international bureaucracy like the Red Cross (Japanese website was confusing), other NGO's or government.
This is being posted Front/Breaking because I imagine a lot of other Freepers want this info and, let's face it, it's an emergency over there and these people need quick, effective help as soon as they can get it.
I've seen too many stories of waste, corruption and abuse (Haiti, Katrina, etc.) and would rather bypass this and get as big a share of every dollar to the people who need it now as soon as possible.
The Salvation Army will be there, only you won’t hear about it because it won’t run commercials to get more donations it can hold on to for years beyond the incident.
It doesn’t pay it’s staff deep into the six figures either.
This is not breaking news.
Perhaps AIT could make suggestions...or ping those that can.
Glad to see you are safe and sound, AIT. Have been checking on you this week via user search.
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/j/anzen/jishin_message.html
The Red Cross is probably the best shot and is the first thing on the list. They need help in large quantities immediately and from what I read, aid has been slow in getting organized.
When I was deep in addiction and alcoholism, the United Way had no answers. The Red Cross wouldn't do anything but look crosseyed at me.
The Salvation Army housed me, clothed me, fed me, and all I had to do is follow their reasonable rules: No drinking or using, be in by 8 pm and out by 8 am, no stealing, look for a job.
Caritas information was posted yesterday, with a story about how the church is mobilizing relief in the Sendai area
http://www.caritas.org/activities/emergencies/MassiveEarthquakeHitJapan.html
Catholic Relief Service is another good charity, very low overhead, most of the donations go to the field
Religion is not used as a criteria of offering aid
The Japanese Red Cross (as opposed to International Red Cross) mighty also be a good one to check out
They all need cash money to buy and transport supplies locally as they can, donating goods is a huge problem with shipment
costs and disruptions
“aid has been slow in getting organized.”
WHY?
Within days of the Haiti Quake, H-wood and aid agencies were working at warp speed.
Look into Samaritan’s Purse. They are boots on the ground in Japan delivering aid and taking donations for it.
Laz, that’s as compelling a testimony as I can imagine. The Salvation Army just went way up in my opinion. Congratulations on your recovery.
Excuse me for being blunt.
Send as much aid to Japan as they did during Katrina. Meanwhile take your money and employ an American. Have him or her paint your home, or build your car or grow your food. Charity begins at home.
The Japanese government has a bunch of US bonds they can sell to fund their own rebuilding, and since they’ll have $ they can buy stuff from us for a change. Like rice. And wood products to build homes. And so on.
That's the problem I have with many if not most charities.
Never again will the Red Cross ever see a penny from me. I was lied to by them on 9-11; they promised that they were there for the 9-11 survivors. The Red Cross what they considered the 'extra' money for themselves - instead of doing what they promised.
Fool me once, shame on you;
Fool me twice - shame on me.
Give it to your Church, or the Salvation Army. They appear to have some integrity.
日本 ピング (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)
Your tagline summarizes my opinion exactly. Kudos.
Samaritans Purseshalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach
See my number #6
Thanks Lazamataz. I’m glad they were there for you. Your testimonial is much appreciated.
https://secure20.salvationarmy.org/?projectId=IHQ-JapanQuake
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