After the Quake, Japan Mourns & Recovers

by Official U.S. Navy Imagery

Earlier this week, NASA released startling images of Japan’s coastline before and after the 8.9 earthquake occurred last Friday afternoon. The images show how Japan’s coastline appears to have receded inland. According to CNN, scientists estimate the coast shifted approximately 8 feet closer to North America while other land masses on the coast sunk – so when the tsunami came ashore the water stayed, leaving several cities underwater.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology estimates that the earthquake shifted the planet on its axis by nearly 4 inches. How will this affect the earth’s rotation and daylight? Luckily, not by very much. NASA geophysicist Richard Gross believes that the Japanese earthquake will have shortened the day by 1.8 microseconds.

The quake was the largest to hit Japan in its recorded history. It caused over 150 aftershocks in the first 24 hours and a massive tsunami sent countries as far away as the United States and Canada under a tsunami warning.

The human tragedy in Japan is devastating. The death toll is expected to top 10,000. Infrastructures, buildings, farmland and roads have been destroyed. Many Japanese people in the affected areas still struggle to find shelter, water, food and supplies.

Now, more than ever, the Japanese people need the help and support of the world.

Here are three ways you can help.

1. To donate to the American Red Cross, text REDCROSS to 90999. Each text will donate $10 towards the Red Cross’s efforts in Japan. This amount will show up on your phone bill.

2. Retweet Red Cross information across Twitter and post it on Facebook to encourage others to donate.

3. Donate to another US organization – the following are accepting donations to help Japan.

All Hands Volunteers
Donations: 919-830-3573
Website: www.hands.org/donate/japan-tsunami

AmeriCares
Donations: 203-658-9500
Website: www.americares.org

Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT)
Donations: 301-738-7122
Website: http://amurt.us

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
Donations: 1-888-989-8244
Website: www.us.tzuchi.org/usa/home.nsf/other/donateCharity

Catholic Relief Services
Donations: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Website: www.crs.org

Direct Relief International
Donations: 805-964-4767
Website: www.DirectRelief.org

Giving Children Hope
Donations: 714-523-4454
Website: www.gchope.org

Habitat for Humanity International
Donations: 1-800-Habitat
Website: www.habitat.org

International Medical Corps
Donations: 800-481-4462
Website: www.internationalmedicalcorps.org

International Rescue Committee
Donations: 1-877-REFUGEE (733-8433)
Website: www.rescue.org

Mercy Corps
Donations: 800-852-2100
Website: www.mercycorps.org/donate/japan

Operation Blessing
Donations: 800-730-2537
Website: www.operationblessing.org

Relief International
Donations: 310-478-1200
Website: www.ri.org

Save the Children
Donations: 1-800-728-3843
Website: www.savethechildren.org

World Vision
Donations: 1-800-777-5777
Website: www.worldvision.org

Six Weeks Later….Rebuilding Haiti Will Continue for Years to Come

The Artists from Caribbean Craft are Accounted for!

It has been 6 weeks since a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake rippled through Haiti resulting in one of the largest humanitarian crisis in years.  While much progress has been made to rescue and rebuild what is left from the disastrous quake and its unforgiving aftershocks; there is still much work and healing to be done.

Days after the event occurred, I posted a list of reputable organizations who needed donations to rebuild in Demonstrating Compassionate Action to Haiti’s Earthquake Victims and expressed concern for the artisans from Caribbean Craft,  a Haitian group of artists who create some of our favorite home decor pieces using recycled oil drums.

I am relieved to share this update from Gifts with Humanity, the retail arm of our importer.  We have been told that they have indeed heard from all their Haitian artisans from Caribbean Craft! They are all accounted for, one with a foot injury.  Unfortunately they have no idea when they can resume production because of the conditions and lack of facilities to import the oil drums to recycle into their art…which is the situation thousands of survivors are now finding themselves in; the lack of resources means they cannot find employment at this time.

Green America’s Green Business Network recently shared their updates on the Haitian recover efforts with their members:

….I want to share with you a couple ways that our members and colleagues are pulling together to help the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Our hearts are heavy as we see the suffering and feel so inadequate. There’s both immediate disaster recovery to do as well longer term rebuilding work.

First, our allies like Mercy Corps and Haiti Partners are working on addressing key issues such as clean water and shelter. Network for Good has put together a list of organizations on the ground doing direct work today.

Second, we’d like to point you to the resources in our online community investing center for ways you can invest to help Haiti rebuild over time. By searching for “Haiti,” a number of investment organizations will be there—Fonkoze and Accion International on providing microfinance to Calvert and Mennonite Economic Development Associates on providing loan programs.

I am posting links from this article in our side column Rebuild Haiti. For those of us who are blessed with good health and income, my hope is that will continue to send our support their way to take on this massive undertaking.  Helping to rebuild Haiti into a stronger nation and eradicating the poor and desperate conditions will have a positive long term impact on our global culture as a whole.

Demonstrating Compassionate Action to Haiti’s Earthquake Victims

Since learning about the 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake that ruptured Haiti one week ago, my heart has grown heavier each day as I see the images on the news and listen to the horrific tales of desperation.

Thank you so much for your love and concern for the poor of Haiti.  We still don’t have much to report on the earthquake – communication is difficult because of phones aren’t working.  I’ve been in touch with Bette and Sister Maryann, who are safe.  The Clinic also appears fine.  Jeremie is about 100 miles from the epicenter of the earthquake – however, they DID feel it – the ground shook for about 20 seconds and there were aftershocks throughout the night.

Reports are still coming in – but we do know that buildings have been reported as damaged or destroyed, and it’s certain that the rickety housing of the poor has suffered – flimsy even in good weather -  however, we are just praying that there are no injuries or deaths.

We are trying to contact all of our staff and volunteers in Haiti – some of whom are in Port au Prince.  Nearly all have relatives and friends in Port au Prince, so they are all very worried.    I hope to be able to have some more news soon – please know that I have relayed the absolute love and concern that has been pouring out by email… We will we assessing injuries and damage, but it will take a while – we care for 225,000 people in 100 rural villages – some as far away as 18 hours by foot.

Communication is very difficult to the most rural areas.  We do ask for your continued support – if you would like to help, any donations towards our Earthquake Emergency Fund would be appreciated.  As I said, we are still assessing the problems, but we will be sure that your gifts go towards the most needy.  Thank you again,

Marilyn Lowney Haitian HealthFoundation

Here are some ways you can help:

Donate to CARE