I think it's outrageous that someone immediatelly comes up with fake donation website to make money out of this.

Anyway, when I went for lunch today and saw the stuff on the news on TSR there was a number you could phone to donate. So maybe check out their website, they might be organising something or at least there should be a link there to something genuine.

Hi Kamil,

I am thinking to donate for the victims in Japan, too. NGOs (World Vision, etc) and Red Crosses have official sites for the donation, which I think are the reliable paths.

Hi Both. Thanks for the tips. I checked World Vision and indeed they are collecting money for Japan but I don't like the fact that you cannot choose your own amount of money you are willing to donate.

I also checked American Red Cross but they seem to be accepting only American Credit Cards. I cannot open Japanese Red Cross website.

I didn't know this can be so difficult.

Kamil,

I just googled 'Red Cross' and see that the first results give the 'American Red Cross' ??

However, the headquarters is here in Geneva, and can be found under its full name: International Committee of the Red Cross

http://www.icrc.org/ 

I trust you will have no difficulty making your donation there, in local currency.

.... and Good idea for your posting!

So maybe once I recieve my credit card which will finally alow my swiss account to buy things online here, I can make its maiden voyage by donating to Japan.

Link : https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan

this webiste provides a lot of the organizations working in international relief and development efforts.

http://www.devex.com/en/articles/ways-to-donate-to-japan-pacific-relief-efforts

You could also email or phone WRS.  They should know who's collecting funds.

Ritchie

No, not the ICRC, but the IFRC -- the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.  They are the IO that deal with disasters.

http://www.ifrc.org/en/get-involved/donate/donation/?DisasterPageID=51098

"The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian and development network, with millions of volunteers in 186 member National Societies.

We are guided by Strategy 2020 – our collective plan of action to tackle the major humanitarian and development challenges of the present decade. We will continue  ‘saving lives and changing minds’ by focusing our work in three key areas: 1) disaster response and recovery, 2) development and 3) promoting social inclusion and peace.

Disaster response and recovery

I think it would be a good idea if there was a glocals charity event. Like an entrance fee or slightly more expensive drinks and the money would go towards Japan.

I'd definitely be interested to come.

japan doesn't need your donation! it is the second richest country after all.

Have you seen the effects of this on Japanese stock exchange? And this is only the begining.

Two main points:

Thousands of people are missing.

There are 4 major disasters right now: earthquake, tsunami, nuclear, and volcanic.

My thoughts: i imagine the local organizations might have some trouble in capacity and relief efforts - a.k.a. providing staff for all of these events. In addition, you can't forget that regular health issues like heart attacks, women in labor, sick children just do not occur in an emergency - all of these things continue to happen. Even though Japan is quite wealthy, that does not guarantee that it can, or even any other country, can respond efficiently and effectively for its people in such an event.

I would be interested in an event, maybe organizing something with the IFRC or other organization?

i will be hosting a March Birthday Drinks on March 24, something I used to do every month and combining a collection for charity. I'm back in town for a limited time and will selling raffle tickets with all proceeds going to a charity where the help with get there quickest, and if that's the red cross then the red cross it is.  

oh, but the catch is I'm looking for people to help by providing items to raffle away. Lady Godiva where i'm having the party, is offering some items.

hope you stop by!

Yumiko

Hi all. Thanks for all these comments. It is nice to see that people didn't forget what is important.

Andrew and YouMeCo,

I think it's a great idea to organise something. I usually spend fortune on drinks anyway so this time at least it might go to a good cause...

Tomii,

no pressure for anyone to contribute. It was just a question so that I can fulfill my needs of helping I guess. I am happy that this post attracted some attention though. To be precise however, Japan is the 3rd biggest ecconomy in the world (at least was before the earthquake). I think you forgot about China...

Kamil

A well-known Swiss organisation which collects funds for disasters is called La Chaine du Bonheur. They are regularly mentioned in Swiss media and many Swiss people choose to give through them. See

www.bonheur.ch/fr.html

www.swiss-solidarity.org/en.html

The account is compte postal 10-15 000-6. You can pay by BVR, for example at any post office, you should add "Japon" in the message box as this account a general one used for many collections (Haiti etc). You can also pay through the website.

@Kamil....

japanese are very proud ppl...you guys just insult them by donating. search troops are ok though. remember the kobe earthquake? the japs said no money support pleaaaaaase.

china may be the second largest economy but it is not the second richest. japan is the most advanced country in the world and once the richest country on earth.

If you are in Zürich area on the 26th March, just join us for that event. Read the details at:

P.S.  me personally, I do not support just money transfers to some bank accounts ....

The Festival in Winterthur has a long tradition... you get to know a bit the Japanese culture and this time the entrance fees will be donated for the catastrophe.

We are organising an event on the 24th of March from 18H onwards...and im glad were not the only one! Youre more than welcome to come along. Thanks. 

http://www.hublot.com/site/commitmentforjapan/

Hublot will match contributions and send them to the Japanese Red Cross...

here is some updated information as of March 18.

a report from OCHA: http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ASAZ-8F3F8G?OpenDocument&RSS20=18-P

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/world/japans-nuke-humanitarian-battles/story-e6frea8l-1226024420711

From the Japanese Red Cross Society website at  http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.html

"We heartily appreciate your kind offer of donation.

If you want to donate money to the affected population of earthquake and tsunami, please contact your national Red Cross/Crescent society, which may have already launched fundraising campaign within your country.

If your national society doesn’t collect donation or you wish to send your donations directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society, please direct your fund to the following bank account. If you need the receipt of your fund, please state so clearly in the comment section of the bank transfer order. All the fund received under this account will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local government of the disaster-affected prefecture and to be distributed directly among the affected population of earthquake and tsunami,

Name of Bank: Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Name of Branch: Ginza
Account No.: 8047670 (Ordinary Account)
SWIFT Code: SMBC JP JT
Payee Name: The Japanese Red Cross Society
Payee Address: 1-1-3 Shiba-Daimon Minato-ku, Tokyo JAPAN

Thank you once again for your generous offer. It is surely the source of encouragement for the affected population in Japan."

some more info from the Govnt of Japan..

http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/english/html/index.html

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/airlines-offer-miles-to-red-cross-donors/

An article about a couple of airlines offering miles to Red Cross donors for aid to Japan