The scenes from the horrific March 11, 2011 Japanese tsunami keep coming in as the death toll mounts.  Thousands are dead and many more are homeless.  On top of this the nuclear peril is still not under control.  Many people want to donate, but are skeptical that their funds will get to the people that need it most in a timely fashion.  There is no way of knowing this unless one goes to Japan themselves with their dough.

Wakuya, Japan - Wikimedia commons

Todd’s Wanderings has started a Blog4Japan outreach to fuel donations through local agencies in order to more efficiently provide aid to the stricken areas.  Most foreign aid is directed through international organizations like the Red Cross.  The Red Cross is a great agency and most money donated through them will find a suitable target; however, the list of agencies below are local Japanese agencies and donators can be sure that their money will get to those in need quicker.

How would Todd know one might ask?  Todd is a blogger who lives in Japan, married a Japanese wife, and was in Tokyo when the earthquake hit.  Read his firsthand account here.  Furthermore, he and his wife are both professional aid and recovery workers with the United Nations.  He was on the scene during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, so he knows what he is talking about when he recommends agencies that are better situated to provide immediate relief.

Here are organizations with links that Todd suggests that you can donate to in order to provide much needed relief to those in need.

Japanese Organizations We Trust

Please consider donating to one or more of these organizations. All are local Japanese organizations and we have found the English Pages for you. Even a small amount like $10 is useful, but we hope you donate more!

Peace Winds Japan is one of the largest Japanese organizations providing humanitarian relief such as food, clothing, fuel and medical supplies to the affected areas. You can Donate Here.

JEN is a well known NGO dedicated to restoring a self-supporting livelihood both economically and mentally to those who have been stricken with hardship due to conflicts and disasters. They are currently supporting emergency relief items such as food, woman’s hygienic items, clothes and other essentials to the survivors of the Japan Tsunami. You can Donate Here.

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is donating food and essential items to the survivors of the tsunami. They also keep a well maintained English blog of their activities in Japan for the tsunami which you can Follow Here. You can Donate Here.

The Japan Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning is taking donations for their response to the tsunami that will focus on the reproductive health needs of women and mothers in affected areas. You can Donate Here.

The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA Japan) team is delivering essential medical services through mobile clinics and delivering relief goods to the nursing homes and schools (evacuation shelters) in Aoba and Miyagino Wards. You can Donate Here.

Habitat For Humanity Japan is still assessing the situation but will be involved in the reconstruction of housing once the emergency period ends. This is one of the most vital aspects of recovery and the homeless will need a lot of help to put their lives back together. You can Donate Here.

The Institute for Cultural Affairs Japan (ICA) is still assessing the situation but is accepting donations. You can Donate Here.

Stay tuned,

TT