Will you donate to Japan?

[hipchickie]

Just because a country isn't a third world country doesn't mean they are rich. Japan has the world's highest debt to GDP ratio - 200 percent - more than three times the United States' burden.

Japan has (by some estimates) external investments of $3 Trillion. They also have a solid government and japan has a long history of raising money from their own citizens and institutions through bonds and lending.
Even if the US had 3x the debt, I would never think to call us poor.

but anyway, I am not trying to talk anyone out of donating to Japan - the question was asked and I gave my viewpoint.
Donate to where and what you want to, but I hope anyone that has the means to does donate, to where ever your heart tell you

 

[Colleen27]

I'm not. I'm sure it isn't a popular viewpoint, but we only have so much to give and I don't feel right about sending those limited dollars halfway around the world when there are people in my own community in need of help. The USA might be a rich nation but our safety net has a lot of holes and it isn't easy being hungry or cold or without a reliable place to call home even here in the land of plenty.

I'm sure millions of people all around the world will reach out to help the Japanese people in this terrible time, but I feel that my efforts are better focused on the local organizations that seem almost forgotten between holiday guilt-giving seasons.

 

[sissy_ib]

I don't think anyone should have to defend their position on this issue. The simple fact is no one person or entity can donate to every cause. The amount you chose to donate to any charity or fund should be personal IMHO, whether it be $1 or $1000. That being said I have donated to Save the Children's Japan earthquake fund. If anyone is wondering where the money goes I believe charities are required to disclose what percentage of the donations go directly to the cause and what goes to things like administrative cost. Unfortunately I am unsure where exactly to find those numbers.

 

[gk90]

I don't think anyone should have to defend their position on this issue. The simple fact is no one person or entity can donate to every cause. [snip]
If anyone is wondering where the money goes I believe charities are required to disclose what percentage of the donations go directly to the cause and what goes to things like administrative cost. Unfortunately I am unsure where exactly to find those numbers.

Great post!
Every reputable charity has some kind of financial disclosure statement on its web page.
You can also go to this site for financial info on many charities
http://www.charitynavigator.org/

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I am unsure who i will use for my donation, the devestation is heartbreaking and i dont care the country or nationality of folks i help, people are people to me. I do have a hard time with all the money different governments are sending when there are so many in their own country that still require help-Katrina, for example............to me that is heartbreaking, but i hope someway somehow everyone gets the help they so desperatly need after such a horrendous natural disaster. I will do my small part just as i do in my daily life hoping that one day if god forbid i shall ever need the help, others are there to offer to me.

 

[brat]

Sent water and rice

A friend of mine is there, he is okay and in a shelter, he got to call home on reporters phone.We saw him on TV today talking with reporters.He teaches English to kids.

We send to other places that also need it. In my mind need is need and I do not want the job of need triage so I give where and when I can.

 

[MomRN]

I probably will not. We have a family member who was lifelined to another city with a brain bleed, and their family is not well off. I imagine the money will run out soon for them, and we will help them. There was also a fire that killed a mother, her child, and her step-brother. The other family members were hospitalized but are doing well now. There will be a fundraising event next week for them, and we plan on attending.

It's not that my heart does not go out them... it truly does, but we are by no means rich and right now those 2 causes are closer to home. Had those issues not arose, then we probably would have donated in some way.

 

[mjbaby]

I will donate, yes. Probably through Episcopal Relief and Development and/or Oxfam, and will take advantage of my employer's matching gift program to maximize the dollar amount.

I will donate because I believe that we're all in this together and that we should treat people the way we want to be treated. The Japanese government, Red Cross, and civilian populations were generous with significant contributions when the United States needed assistance after 9/11 and Katrina. We are also a "rich nation" and could have addressed those catastrophes on our own, but were not made to do so thanks to Japan and other countries who stepped up.

Now it's our turn to step up.

 

[JaymeC]

Yes, we'll be donating. I don't want to say how much, but it will mean digging into our savings to do it.

But I'm a bit more affected by this than most. We lived in Japan for three years and came 'home' six months ago to the US. Thankfully, all of my friends have checked in as safe and sound, but the whole situation breaks my heart.

As for donating to a wealthy nation... you're right in that only so much can go around. But people also donating large sums to Katrina victims, even though they were in the richest nation of all. Sometimes you need to take care of the poor in a rich country. I don't mind you not donating at all, we all have different things that touch us, but I can't see not donating because the country is 'rich' while living in the US.

 

[dvcgirl]

Just because a country isn't a third world country doesn't mean they are rich. Japan has the world's highest debt to GDP ratio - 200 percent - more than three times the United States' burden.

This is true, but unlike the US, most of the debt is held by the Japanese people. And so they're a bit less vulnerable than we are in that respect.

However, with this disaster....there will be significant setbacks. The Nikkei is down nearly 20% in two days after the very scary escalation at the crippled nuclear plant.

We've sent money through the International Red Cross. You can designate where you'd like your funds to be sent.

 

[annsteere]

I make regular quarterly donations to UMCOR.

I'll donate additional when I see the right opportunity.

I worked for World Relief International and admire this plan.

OP asked about spreading gift out over three months and giving more. Also good. Giving over three years would be even better.

"Compassion Fatigue" is the reality that people see a disaster on tv, are emotionally moved, and write a check. But, after about 10 days, the story loses its punch.

Haiti, Katrina, the tsunami in Thailand are all well off of our radar these days.

Japan needs stuff like water, food, search teams right now. Aid is a huge help with that. They will be in good shape to undertake the rebuilding of the country.

Haiti needed the same types of immediate aid plus they need economic help to rebuild houses and schools. Same for Thailand and other places where the disaster happens in a place where the economic foundation is not strong.

Consider giving over the longer haul to places that catch your heart. That helps relief agencies rebuild people's lives, not just feed them the first week.

 

[bettymae1121]

I donated $10 to the Redcross (via text message, very cool!) and I'll likely give a larger contribution to my own company. I work for a non-profit medical organization and we have a disaster relief fund for things like this.

 

[luvmy3]

I will donate, yes. Probably through Episcopal Relief and Development and/or Oxfam, and will take advantage of my employer's matching gift program to maximize the dollar amount.

I will donate because I believe that we're all in this together and that we should treat people the way we want to be treated. The Japanese government, Red Cross, and civilian populations were generous with significant contributions when the United States needed assistance after 9/11 and Katrina. We are also a "rich nation" and could have addressed those catastrophes on our own, but were not made to do so thanks to Japan and other countries who stepped up.

Now it's our turn to step up.

Has there been a Natural Disaster somewhere in the world and we haven't stepped up?


I won't be donating, I feel that my part of my tax dollars help the relief effort so I will not contribute anything out of my pocket. I don't care if its not a popular sentiment, but its how I feel.

 

[mombrontrent]

Has there been a Natural Disaster somewhere in the world and we haven't stepped up?


I won't be donating, I feel that my part of my tax dollars help the relief effort so I will not contribute anything out of my pocket. I don't care if its not a popular sentiment, but its how I feel.

I feel the same. I feel absolutley terrible for the people of Japan. However I am Canadian and give my government ALOT of tax dollars and I know they will be donating to Japn with my money.

 

[eliza61]

Being a full time student, I've been aware of the disaster in Japan but just today took the time to actually look at photos and read of the devestation in. I then went to our church association webpage and found how I can donate through them. I know Japan is far, far away, but living in an area that is at risk for earthquakes I would want to think that if my family was ever affected people far, far away from me would be willing to help if able.

My questions are:
For those of you who are donating, how did you come up with a figure?

Do you think it's better to spread out donations over 3 months, and give a little more, than give a one time donation?

For those of you who may have friends or family in Japan, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

FYI: There is also some very interesting photos, etc, from Disneyland Tokyo.

I'll donate through the red cross. I volunteered with them long time ago and they do awesome work. Generally I do a bit of both. I have favorite charities that I donate over long periods of time but I'll throw in an extra couple of bucks to the red cross especially for japan.

As a parent, I can't imagine the fear those parents are experiencing right now.

 

[wvjules]

Japan has (by some estimates) external investments of $3 Trillion. They also have a solid government and japan has a long history of raising money from their own citizens and institutions through bonds and lending.
Even if the US had 3x the debt, I would never think to call us poor.

but anyway, I am not trying to talk anyone out of donating to Japan - the question was asked and I gave my viewpoint.
Donate to where and what you want to, but I hope anyone that has the means to does donate, to where ever your heart tell you

Did you donate to Katrina Relief?

 

[ilovejack02]

Japan has (by some estimates) external investments of $3 Trillion. They also have a solid government and japan has a long history of raising money from their own citizens and institutions through bonds and lending.
Even if the US had 3x the debt, I would never think to call us poor.

but anyway, I am not trying to talk anyone out of donating to Japan - the question was asked and I gave my viewpoint.
Donate to where and what you want to, but I hope anyone that has the means to does donate, to where ever your heart tell you

Just a little information about Japan and their generosity during our time of need.
http://mobile.nola.com/advnola/db_/...204D04?contentguid=SsapPYG0&full=true#display

New Orleanians watching the dramatic images from Japan's tsunami cannot help but feel deep sympathy for the thousands of people affected by the disaster.

AP Photo/Kyodo NewsShores are submerged in Natori city, Miyagi prefecture (state), Japan, after a ferocious tsunami slammed Japan's eastern coasts Friday.

Much of the damage caused by the massive waves is eerily similar to Katrina's aftermath: Homes washed off their foundations. Cars piled on top of houses. Large fishing boats carried inland as if they were children's toys and deposited on highways.

New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, who covered the 1995 Kobe earthquake, writes that the Japanese are a particularly resilient and stoic people.

They are also a generous people. After Katrina, the Japanese government offered material and monetary assistance that surpassed $1 million and that included tents, blankets, power generators and portable water tanks. Japan also provided $200,000 to the American Red Cross to aid hurricane victims. In addition, Takashi Endo, a private businessman in Japan, donated $1 million from his personal funds to Katrina relief efforts.

Most metro New Orleans residents appreciate the help we received from the Japanese then. Now they need our help. Here's what you can do:

To give to the American Red Cross Japan relief fund, text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your mobile phone. You can also donate online.

Catholic Relief Services has also launched a relief effort in Japan, and you can donate here.

The Salvation Army is already responding on the ground and is you can text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to their relief efforts.

Save The Children, which focuses its disaster aid on kids, is also accepting donations.


Of course I will be donating . : ) Most likely I will donate at church. Our diocese has a long standing close relationship with the Tohoku diocese which was directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami . Our church and diocese worked countless hours in NOLA for about 2 years and are still there, but not there everyday anymore but still do work for habitat there. The Tohoku diocese sent us a huge donation , that really helped the efforts and we will do the same for them.

 

[eliza61]

Did you donate to Katrina Relief?

*** gasp*** (spoken in best Southern drawl). WV, now where are your manners, you aren't supposed to ask folks where they spent their money.

 

[Shock13]

While watching CNN last night, Piers Morgan was interviewing someone from the Red Cross and they stated that $0.91 of every dollar is used for the relief effort.
Even though it's not every penny, I still donated as I believe that the Red Cross have the resources and manpower to take care of things like this than the smaller charities.

 

[declansdad]

Did you donate to Katrina Relief?

What does that matter? She answered the questions and no one should belittle her for her opinion. Everyone is free to donate their money in any way and to anywhere they chose.