What's a Good Charity in Japan?

[Anonymous]

http://www.slate.com/id/2288243/

Don't let the title throw you. This is a really good article about how to best use your money/donations.

I would really, really read this.

Excerpt:" So feel free to give, and give generously: Many of us do not donate to humanitarian causes except when confronted with them on TV, and could use the reminder to help out. But give without restrictions; leave it up to the experts to figure out how to save the most lives and do the most good. If Japan needs the money, they will make sure the country gets it. But if it gets back on its feet, there are a whole lot of other places that could use the funds."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.slate.com/id/2288243/

Don't let the title throw you. This is a really good article about how to best use your money/donations.

I would really, really read this.

Excerpt:" So feel free to give, and give generously: Many of us do not donate to humanitarian causes except when confronted with them on TV, and could use the reminder to help out. But give without restrictions; leave it up to the experts to figure out how to save the most lives and do the most good. If Japan needs the money, they will make sure the country gets it. But if it gets back on its feet, there are a whole lot of other places that could use the funds."

Wow, what a terrible piece (cannot call it an article, it's not). And I see Slate has reached an all new low with the incendiary titles. Yes, Japan needs your money. And so does Haiti (still). And so do many other charities. When something like this captures the nation's attention, there will always be those saying that we shouldn't wait for tragedy to strike to give. However, that should not be mistaken for the author's wild claims that the Japanese are very well insured and the government is very well prepared for emergencies. Oh my god. I can't believe anyone would sign their name to that. Goddamn, slate. A new low.

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/15/134541988/international-humanitarian-aid-needed-for-japan?sc=tw

[Anonymous]

This board is schizophrenic.

I remember when the earthquake was in Haiti, this board was crawling with posts about donating money. For some reason, the Japanese people are only worth one thread? Or, maybe 2, I think I saw one more thread asking how to help. When Haiti happened, people were practically ordering DCUMs to donate. What? The Japanese people aren't as important?

Anyway, I heard about ShelterBox on NPR yesterday. Sounds like they're on the ground doing immediately needed work.

http://www.shelterboxusa.org/

The Japanese people are going through so much. I would like for someone to help me if I was in their position. The Japanese are parents just like us, and just like the people in Haiti. No reason why you can't donate to both if you so please. But, that's no reason to tell people NOT to donate to Japan. I just don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.slate.com/id/2288243/

Don't let the title throw you. This is a really good article about how to best use your money/donations.

I would really, really read this.

Excerpt:" So feel free to give, and give generously: Many of us do not donate to humanitarian causes except when confronted with them on TV, and could use the reminder to help out. But give without restrictions; leave it up to the experts to figure out how to save the most lives and do the most good. If Japan needs the money, they will make sure the country gets it. But if it gets back on its feet, there are a whole lot of other places that could use the funds."

I read the article and agree with 21:57. It's a terrible piece.

[Anonymous]

Awful piece of drivel, and it's not the only one...
I'm a bit disturbed by the attitude I seem to see in these pieces; because Japan had better infrastructure, are its people less hungry or in need of shelter in this crisis? Is homelessness less an issue?


As for shelterbox, I couldn't see why it would really cost $1k for a thigh-high tub of supplies (one box), so I passed on it, donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross through Google, and to Direct relief international...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Awful piece of drivel, and it's not the only one...
I'm a bit disturbed by the attitude I seem to see in these pieces; because Japan had better infrastructure, are its people less hungry or in need of shelter in this crisis? Is homelessness less an issue?


As for shelterbox, I couldn't see why it would really cost $1k for a thigh-high tub of supplies (one box), so I passed on it, donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross through Google, and to Direct relief international...

I agree that it makes no sense. The consensus seems to be that because Japan was relatively prepared, they don't deserve our aid.

Good point about ShelterBox.

Here's a list on Yahoo:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help

Personally, I always refer to CharityNavigator when donating anywhere. As an aside, Shelterbox only receives 3 stars on CharityNavigator.

[Anonymous]

FYI, if you donate $5 to the Red Cross via Living Social, they will match your donation. Donate and spread the word!

http://livingsocial.com/deals/32115-5-for-10-donation-to-red-cross-relief-efforts

[Anonymous]

Use common sense. Give your donation to the International Red Cross and give generously.

[Anonymous]

I am Japanese and already donated to the Japan Red Cross (thru a Japanese website). After that I also found that the Japan Society (a non-profit in the US) is collecting donations and they will send 100% to local Japanese non profits (http://give2asia.org/japansociety OR http://www.japansociety.org/earthquake).

I think this is a great idea because in Japan I feel that Japanese NGOs are more effective than the traditional big international ones like MSF and Save the Children. Most of these international organizations do not have any history of implementing programs in Japan. Their presence in Japan is typically for fundraising. Also, most Japanese people (especially in rural areas) do not speak any other language than Japanese. For these reasons, I think that Japanese orgs like the Japan Red Cross or other smaller local NGOs are more effective.

Japan Society is a non-profit registered in the US so you will be able to deduct your contributions. Other than the Japan Society, I think the American Red Cross is a good choice, although some of the donation will be lost while it is transferred to Japan Red Cross.

Thank you all for thinking of my country and considering making donations.

[Anonymous]

duh, International Red Cross is the only correct answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This board is schizophrenic.

I remember when the earthquake was in Haiti, this board was crawling with posts about donating money. For some reason, the Japanese people are only worth one thread? Or, maybe 2, I think I saw one more thread asking how to help. When Haiti happened, people were practically ordering DCUMs to donate. What? The Japanese people aren't as important?

Anyway, I heard about ShelterBox on NPR yesterday. Sounds like they're on the ground doing immediately needed work.

http://www.shelterboxusa.org/

The Japanese people are going through so much. I would like for someone to help me if I was in their position. The Japanese are parents just like us, and just like the people in Haiti. No reason why you can't donate to both if you so please. But, that's no reason to tell people NOT to donate to Japan. I just don't get it.

well I agree and disagree. first, donate of course. the scale of suffering is immense. but obviously Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and Japan is one of the richest. so it is a completely different situation. Haiti cannot help themselves. Japan can and will. That doesn't mean we shouldn't give to both.

i.e, if the US had a big earthquake in California, I'd expect people to help, but not quite as dire a situation as if a natural disaster hit the Ivory Coast.

[Anonymous]

Great info about the Japan society, thank you.
Obviously it will take more funds to restore the homeless in Japan to their standard of living prior to the disaster...the thought that wealthy countries can depend on government help and insurance really has not played out well in New Orleans, now has it? All these years later, that city is still largely a mess, except for tourist centers....

[Anonymous]

Thanks 21:51. I will be donating today.

[Anonymous]

Just heard David Stone on the radio. He's from the LA Fire Dept rescue team that goes abroad for emergencies. He was also on the scene at Haiti.

He commented that the destruction in Japan is so much worse than what he saw in Haiti. The combination of the earthquake AND tsumani dwarfed what he witnessed in Haiti.

If you can't afford to help, that's fine. But please don't post useless drivel trying to talk other people out of helping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This board is schizophrenic.

I remember when the earthquake was in Haiti, this board was crawling with posts about donating money. For some reason, the Japanese people are only worth one thread? Or, maybe 2, I think I saw one more thread asking how to help. When Haiti happened, people were practically ordering DCUMs to donate. What? The Japanese people aren't as important?

Anyway, I heard about ShelterBox on NPR yesterday. Sounds like they're on the ground doing immediately needed work.

http://www.shelterboxusa.org/

The Japanese people are going through so much. I would like for someone to help me if I was in their position. The Japanese are parents just like us, and just like the people in Haiti. No reason why you can't donate to both if you so please. But, that's no reason to tell people NOT to donate to Japan. I just don't get it.

well I agree and disagree. first, donate of course. the scale of suffering is immense. but obviously Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and Japan is one of the richest. so it is a completely different situation. Haiti cannot help themselves. Japan can and will. That doesn't mean we shouldn't give to both.

i.e, if the US had a big earthquake in California, I'd expect people to help, but not quite as dire a situation as if a natural disaster hit the Ivory Coast.

The premise isn't not to donate to Japan. Rather, donate to organizations like the Red Cross instead of direct to and only to Japan. Let them, the experts, decide where the money goes. That way, if there is a surplus of unusable donations, as there likely will be given Japan's financial status and the history of these things (there is a lot of precedent), the money can be used in other places, as well. Not squandered or held up.