Here's How We Can Help Japan

It has been two days since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. While my relatives and friends living in Japan are safe, it breaks my heart to know that there are many others who are not as lucky. I have been spending most of my time in front of the TV over the past 2 days, watching the live footage on NHK (a Japanese news channel), and I have to say that it is agonizing. It is horrifying to see the tsunamis engulfing cars and ship; destroying homes and buildings; wiping out the small towns and taking innocent lives away. In just one town alone, the death toll is said to exceed 10,000; I can’t imagine what the total number will be.  Although I may be about 3300 miles away, I can almost feel the pains that my fellow Japanese are experiencing right now.

If this had not happened, I would probably have blogged about my half-marathon training progress. But now that this has happened, I just cannot bring myself to write about a comparatively unimportant topic. Compared to what the Japanese are going through right now, the pains that I endure during my trainings just seem to pale in comparison. I decided that I should save that post for another time.

Watching such a tragedy has reminded me to be grateful for what I have.  As I am writing this post, I know that many in Japan are in despair, and will continue to be affected by the aftermath of the earthquake. I can’t be there to comfort these people, but I know that any donations (however small) can go a long way to help these people.

So here are some ways that you can help the victims in Japan:

• American Red Cross
• AmeriCares 
• Convoy of Hope
• Global Giving
• Save The Children
• Salvation Army
• International Medical Corps
• Shelter Box 
• World Vision

Others:
If you are on Facebook, the Disaster Relief Page has lots of useful information about how you can help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami too.

My thoughts go out to all who are experiencing the aftermaths of the disaster. Please stay strong! Here's a quote to end off.