Helping Japan

Japan's tsunami aftermath from space

The massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan has left thousands of families homeless and has left children with no parents as well food and fuel shortages. Although 91 countries have responded to the disaster in Japan offering aid such as blankets, food, search dogs and military transport, an article on the BBC news website  says the Japanese government is among the best prepared in the world for disasters, which is why they are only making specific requests for help, such as calling for search and rescue teams and there has been no request (yet) for humanitarian assistance from the international community.

Several charities like Save the Children UK, British Red Cross, and World Vision UK are asking for donations. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is usually the first to launch a major fundraising appeal after a disaster, but they are not planning one for Japan. A spokesman for the DEC says that the help needed (after a disaster) in developing countries is very different.

The Japanese government is taking charge to carefully coordinate all of the help being offered. Charities are addressing the worse affected areas in Japan and donations are being made to supply medical care, shelter, food, etc., but Japan is pretty much in control…as a spokesman for the DEC put it, “the danger is almost ‘too many cooks spoil the broth.’”

When I first saw news of the disaster in Japan, I was in shock watching the videos of thousands of homes being destroyed... knowing lives were taken and that the survivors would be left with almost nothing…no shelter, food, or their family. During this tragic time, it is understandable that people have an overwhelming desire to help Japan in any way possible. The responses from charities are wonderful, but it is also fortunate that Japan is a very self-sufficient country that has been very well prepared for a disaster such as this.