The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers. These local volunteers in Japan are distributing relief items, ensuring displaced people are offered hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation. The Japanese Red Cross has also deployed 95 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses. The Japanese Red Cross operates 92 hospitals throughout the country. People in Japan and other countries in the Pacific can register at http://www.icrc.org/familylinks to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details.
The NMI Red Cross is now accepting financial donations from individuals and businesses here in the CNMI. Due to the severe infrastructure damage in the affected areas, In-kind donations such as food and clothing are not being accepted at this time.
For those organizations that are trying to raise funds on their own, we would encourage you to direct your collected funds to the American Red Cross-Japan Relief. The Red Cross has very high standards for accountability and can ensure that your donation will be used in a way that provides the most impact for those in need. Donations will be used to support those affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan and throughout the Pacific. Donations can be made at the NMI Chapter office on Airport Road or on line by going to www.redcross.org. Checks should be made out to the American Red Cross-Japan Earthquake Relief. For more information about the Red Cross and how you can help, please call John Hirsh at 234-3459.
