The Red Cross Needs You! They want you to know that they are on the ground helping. An initial $10 million to its main partner in the country – the Japanese Red Cross – to help with their medical and relief activities. As pledges are fulfilled and additional donations received, the American Red Cross plans to make additional commitments to help the people affected by the earthquake, tsunami and evolving nuclear emergency.
The response to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan moves into its second week, about 430,000 people are staying in approximately 2,500 shelters operated by the Japanese government and supported by Japanese Red Cross workers.
Read: How You Can Help Japan’s Earthquake Victims
The American Red Cross has contributed at the same time; US military installations in the Far East are currently conducting voluntary noncombatant evacuations from Japan. American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) staff are supporting these operations by registering and escorting evacuees and assisting with military sheltering operations.
The Japanese Red Cross Society has repeatedly expressed its gratitude for the support of the American Red Cross and people in the United States.
“The compassion the American people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the American Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with a such an immense humanitarian tragedy, said Satoshi Sugai, director, Disaster Relief for the Japanese Red Cross. “This financial support is very much needed and continues to be welcomed to help the hundreds of thousands of lives that will forever be changed by this disaster.”
There is little or no fuel to heat the shelters and elderly evacuees are bundled in blankets to put off the cold. There is no running water. People are being provided with three meals a day, but medicines for chronic diseases are running out. Regarding the situation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, and the situation will affect many additional people if radiation contaminates homes, water and farmland.
Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami throughout the Pacific.
Related Stories:
