Disaster Relief in Japan

It has been a week since the earthquake in Japan.

A week since the tsunami the earthquake caused.

Less than a week since we learned about the further terror of potential nuclear meltdown and radiation.

This is the worst tragedy to hit Japan since the events of World War II.

The images streaming in from overseas are heartwrenching, almost beyond description. Ultimately, we will see these images again on the pages of some future edition of National Geographic. Images of despair and loneliness and the emptiness of unbelievable personal loss.


My heart and my prayers go out to the people of Japan. Their pain, panic, and chaos - their fear -  are unfathomable, as with any disaster. With a sick stomach, the rest of the world watches as their travesty unfolds with the knowledge that things will get worse before they get better.

Glib but true.

In this vein, any compassionate human being desparately desires to help out, in any way. The first instinct is to establish a physical connectivity, like anyone would do to help a neighbor. Here in Houston, this instinct was commonplace for weeks following Katrina. Neighbors helped neighbors to cut up fallen trees and cover up leaking rooves. Better yet, strangers helped strangers. We were all there to help each other with the very physical tasks of digging out and cleaning up.

It was cathartic and mutually reassuring, especially when combined with the hugs and gentle pats on the back. Somehow a touch makes everything all right again.

But we can't do that for the people of Japan. At least, not directly. We need to rely on those on the ground, whether via our Marines or the hands, backs, and shoulders of those working for the various disaster relief agencies. We have to trust them with our intentions and our hopes.

More difficult still, we have to trust others with the only thing we can really put forth, the only physical connection we can establish with our Japanese neighbors on the other side of the globe.

Our money.

Properly utilized disaster aid money has proven an elusive animal in recent times. The Haiti earthquake in 2010 revealed the ills of corruption and cronyism; over $500 million of private donations were collected yet only about a fifth of those funds has been used. Much of the rest of it has just disappeared into the hands of a corrupt government and its shady processes. Prior to that, the American Red Cross fell into that same dark cavern when millions of dollars were somehow misappropriated and/or questioned. At the same time, generous Americans found out that much of their hard-earned money went to pay high salaries to top executives instead of helping those in need.

That is a jagged little pill to swallow, as Alanis Morrissette might agree.

This leaves us in a quandary. We want to help but can't get there to be a part of it. The only way to do it is money. But, with belts getting tighter and ends inching farther apart and harder to connect, who can we trust?


I hastened to Bing to find an answer, for me and for you, because I hate feeling helpless.


Givewell provides fantastic information, including recommendations (they highly recommend Doctors Without Borders and Direct Relief International) and detailed analyses of various charitable organizations functioning in the international arena. It offers a synopsis of why it may not be as helpful as you think for Americans, and the rest of the world, to continue to donate to Japan as they did to Haiti. The reasoning is sound and critical. Please read it with an open mind. If you do, I guarantee it will make sense.


Charity Navigator is less comprehensive, but provides financials and historical background (for registered users).


Another concern of mine was the integrity of the information flowing to us through our media. It is well known that the American media tends to sensationalize disasters. I lived this reality while overseas. Events occurring in my backyard in The Hague, which for me were just commonplace goings on, sent my friends and relatives here in the U.S. afluster worrying for our safety. After all, sensationalizing a disaster stirs up more fear, and fear is good for business, right? But, this approach is propogated by many journalists with impure intentions and, moreover, inadequate backgrounds and educational base.

Fear. 


There is already too much fear surrounding this disaster, most of it coming from the fear of the unknown. And of course, the upheaval of predictable life.


I learned some interesting facts that helped me to put it in perspective.

• The Japanese government is better equipped to handle the impact and effects of earthquakes and tsunamis than practically anywhere on earth. They practice highly detailed disaster plans, specific and step-by-step plans, on a regular and frequent basis.
• As a result of this constant practice, combined with the intended design of the nuclear plants in question, their plan was in effect within seconds of the first rattles of the quake. Furthermore, the potential Armageddon-like scenarios, even though things appear quite disastrous and apocolyptic at the moment, were averted. 
• The radiation levels are not as disastrous as implied.
• Foreigners putting boot to ground to help might be counter-productive due to language and culture barriers.
• The Japanese are highly efficient and competent people.

Several sites recommended the rest of the world to hang tight. Rely on the Japanese organizations that are already in action. Don't donate too much money right now.


I feel more at ease about my decision. For this one, I will take the easy way out: I will pray.
After all, prayer is easy.

Prayer is powerful. As is God. He can achieve ALL things.

John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you; that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage. I have overcome the world."