Giving to Earthquake/Tsunami Victims in Japan

The earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on Friday left more than 2,400 people dead. The number of people officially missing is 3,118, according to reports from MSNBC.

The people who did survive the earthquake and subsequent tsunami now are facing a fifth day without food and without water. They are also facing the threat of a nuclear meltdown. Here, in the United States, in South Cobb, we watch.

When we watch devastating scenes like the ones we see from Japan now, the first questions we usually ask are, “Is (family member, friend, etc.) safe?” and “How can I help?”

South Cobb Patch can help you answer those questions.

First, to find or help others find their loved ones in Japan, try the Google Person Finder.

Have you already found them? Do you have families or friends in Japan right now? Did you somehow escape the disasters there? Let us know at South Cobb Patch. E-mail Editor Kiri Walton with your stories and information at kiri.walton@patch.com.

Secondly, there are several ways to give to those who survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan.

Salvation Army: According to Lafee Watson, communications manager for the Atlanta-area Salvation Army, people can contribute by texting the words “Japan” or “Quake” to 80888 to make a $10 donation, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, by visiting www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org or by sending a check marked “Japan earthquake relief” to:
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728.

American Red Cross: Reuben Brown, spokesman for the Atlanta-area Red Cross, said people can give by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or texting "Red Cross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. People can also visit redcross.org and click “donate funds.”

Update 8:10 a.m. Brown stated in an e-mail to South Cobb Patch, "As of Sunday afternoon (Mar. 13), the American Red Cross had raised approximately $7.8 million for Japan earthquake Pacific tsunami response. This figure includes more than $1.1 million in text donations."

Save The Children and World Vision: People can visit savethechildren.org or worldvision.org and complete a form to contribute funds to the disaster relief effort.

Lastly, be careful about giving.

“When we learn of these disasters our natural instinct is to reach out to charities and relief efforts that can help; however, please take a moment to be sure you are connecting with those that actually can,”  Fred T. Elsberry Jr., president and CEO of the BBB which serves Metro Atlanta, stated in a news release.  “Not only do people need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to those that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance.”

The Better Business Bureau of Metro Atlanta offers these tips to keep in mind in times such as these:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.

Be cautious when giving online.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the disaster impact areas.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. 

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations.

Donate directly to the relief charity you have chosen.