Canadian Red Cross sends $5,000,000 to the Japanese Red Cross for Disaster Relief

Reposted from the Canadian Red Cross Website:

"Canadian Red Cross Sends $5 Million to Japan Donated by Generous Canadians

OTTAWA March 19- 2011 - The Canadian Red Cross is transferring $5 million in cash to the Japanese Red Cross to support relief efforts following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The money will be used to support emergency health and the distribution of relief items to people impacted by this disaster.
"The compassion the Canadian people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the Canadian Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with such an immense humanitarian tragedy,” stated Satoshi Sugai, Director International Relief Division, Japanese Red Cross Society.   “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."
‪
The Japanese Red Cross has an official role as part of the National Disaster Response Plan in Japan. Their role focuses on supporting emergency medical care, hospital care, psychological support, and distribution of relief supplies such as blankets, food and basic supplies.

 The Canadian Red Cross has also been part of a high level support team that recently deployed a disaster response specialist to Japan. The team is assisting the Japanese Red Cross in addressing current critical gaps and in creating a longer term recovery plans.

The Canadian Red Cross will send additional financial support as the needs of people affected by this disaster unfold. Canadians can continue to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, at your local branch office or by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. "

Libya No-fly Zone Approved by UN !

At last the No-fly zone has been approved, I hope in time to save some of the Libyan people.

The vote was 10 countries for, 0 against, with 5 abstentions.

Live feed of the statements following the vote here, taking place now.

Also Aljazeera Live stream showing pictures of celebrations in Benghazi.

Canadian Red Cross supporting Japanese Red Cross with Donations

According to an article, One of many NGOs to flood into Japan after quake returns to Canada early by James Keller, The Canadian Press,on the Winnipeg Free Press website, the Canadian Red Cross is sending money that they have collected on behalf of the Japanese relief effort to the Japanese Red Cross to support their efforts on the ground. The article states that $6,000,000 has already been collected by the Canadian Red Cross.

The article also highlights some of the problems of well-intentioned NGOs rushing to stressed areas when they may not know the geography or language with the possibility of becoming a burden to the local government rather than a help. In this case, the independent NGO in question, not a Red Cross team, made the decision to return because they were unequipped to handle the worsening radiation, probably the wisest course of action.

Yesterday I watched a CBC broadcast that said that that a shipment of blankets was on its way to Japan (25,000 were requested urgently by Japan) from The Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian government.

The generosity of Canadians is so encouraging. I hope the money continues to make its way to Japan in a way that makes a difference. It seems that the Canadian Red Cross is doing its best, knows that support of the Japanese Red Cross is one of the most effective ways to help, and hopefully makes a difference to the people in Japan in this very stressful time.

Canadian Red Cross - Japan Donations

From The Canadian Red Cross page at:

http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000005&tid=003http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000005&tid=003

Red Cross responds to massive earthquake in Japan.

On Friday March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan. This has triggered 4 metre waves in Japan and tsunami warnings across the Pacific coastline, including British Columbia. Hundreds of people are reported dead, and many more are injured or missing. The earthquake has caused fires and severe damage to buildings, leaving 4.4 million households without electricity.
The Japanese Red Cross has deployed medical tents and 82 medical teams to the affected area. Volunteers are on the ground providing first aid and search and rescue operations. The Red Cross has started Restoring Family Links activities and emergency relief planning is underway.

The Canadian Red Cross is monitoring the situation closely and has emergency supplies and trained emergency response personnel ready to be deployed.

Canadians wishing to help support relief efforts underway are encouraged to contribute by:

• Donating online
• Calling 1-800-418-1111
• By texting the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5*
• By contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

* A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply to donation texts. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. This service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of theCanadian Red Crossby the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mobilegiving.ca. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 30333.

Canadians in Japan -- Phone numbers to Call for Information About Them and CBC's Live Blog

Reposted from the CBC News website. 

Link to the article Canadians struggle to reach loved ones in Japan .

 "Canadians in Japan

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is trying to determine whether any Canadians in Japan were affected by the earthquake.
Friends and relatives seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in the affected area should call one of these numbers: 613-943-1055 or 1-800-387-3124.
People can also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca.
Staff in Ottawa and across the Asia-Pacific region are also closely monitoring the potential impact of the tsunami warnings for the wider region, a Foreign Affairs spokesperson said."

CBC's Live Blog where people are posting updates and you can send your own. It also has a whole list of informative links like the one to Wikipedia' Sendai 2011 Earthquake page. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2011/03/live-blog-disaster-in-japan.html

Google Japan Crisis Response Page for the Earthquake/Tsunami

For anyone wanting to provide information about people in Japan or see information others have provided you might want to try this page:

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

 or

From the same page:

Local Japan Emergency dials:
171 + 1 + line phone number to leave a message
171 + 2 + line phone number to listen to the message

My hopes and wishes for your safety and those you love on this very sad day.