Tornadoes 2011: Strangers Across 6 States Help Victims Cope

Tornadoes 2011: Strangers Across 6 States Help Victims Cope: "As with any tragedy, the silver lining is in the way communities and people throughout the country have come together to lend their support -- even when they themselves have suffered devastating losses. Amid damage assessments and cleanup efforts, residents and officials alike are looking to make repairs and start rebuilding what was lost. Below is a look at some of the ways people across the country are helping -- and what you can do to lend your support."

Red Cross accepting donations for AL disaster relief

Red Cross accepting donations for AL disaster relief: "The deadly tornadoes that swept across Alabama and several other states over the weekend left demolished buildings, snapped trees, broken power lines and homeless people in its wake. More than 40 people lost their lives as a result of the estimated 200 tornadoes that ravaged the nation from Oklahoma to Virginia."

2010: A Really Bad Year for Natural Disasters | UN Dispatch

2010: A Really Bad Year for Natural Disasters | UN Dispatch: "If you ever find yourself thinking that there seemed to be a lot of natural disasters last year, you’d be correct. The Japan earthquake and tsunami has rightly dominated the headlines recently, but between the Pakistan floods, Haiti earthquake, floods in China and West Africa, 2010 was a particularly bad year for natural disasters.

In a new report A Year of Living Dangerously, the Brookings Institution takes a look back at the natural disasters that shook the world in 2010."

Chart: Comparison of Business Aid for Past Disasters, BCLC | BCLC

Chart: Comparison of Business Aid for Past Disasters, BCLC | BCLC: "Corporate assistance for the continuing crisis in Japan reached $277.5 million (last updated: 4/11/11). This disaster ranks among the top-three disaster responses mobilized by the business sector."

AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated March 28, 2011) - AFP

Just a reminder that AFP maintains this related AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts page on our website.

AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated March 28, 2011) - AFP: "AFP Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page (Updated March 28, 2011)

Last year, Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake. In response to the critical and overwhelming challenges that the country faced, AFP put together this Disaster Relief and Fundraising Efforts Page. This page is not meant to be comprehensive, but simply an easy way that members can keep up to date with ongoing and recent disaster relief efforts. We know that we have many members who work for organizations involved in the relief efforts. If you don't see a resource or organization listed here and would like it posted, please email the AFP Webmaster (webmaster@afpnet.org)."

Japanese Disaster Relief Fund homepage

Japanese Disaster Relief Fund homepage: "Mission
Japanese Disaster Relief Fund – Boston is a collaboration of the Boston Foundation, The Japan Society of Boston and the Fish Family Foundation. Its purpose is to provide immediate relief as well as ongoing support to affected individuals and communities in Northeast Japan, dedicated to the region’s recovery. 100% of funds raised* will go toward these relief and sustaining efforts and we anticipate that the Fund will be expended within two years.

JDRFB was launched with a leadership gift of $100,000 from the Fish Family Foundation."

Disasters leave charities struggling

Disasters leave charities struggling: "Charitable benefactors are giving less to their usual causes as they throw their support behind Queensland's flood and cyclone victims.

Some fundraiser organisers are supporting disaster relief instead of their traditional causes, while others have postponed events until Queensland is better recovered."

CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)-INTERVIEW-Japan Red Cross struggling to hand out record donations | Energy & Oil | Reuters

CORRECTED-(OFFICIAL)-INTERVIEW-Japan Red Cross struggling to hand out record donations | Energy & Oil | Reuters: "OKYO, April 7 (Reuters) - The Japanese Red Cross has almost $1.3 billion in donations from the public in the month after Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami, the most it has been given for any relief campaign, but the charity is struggling to get the cash to the neediest."

No further international assistance needed, says Japanese officials - Philadelphia charity | Examiner.com

No further international assistance needed, says Japanese officials - Philadelphia charity | Examiner.com: "With the exception of a few special areas, the Japanese government determined international emergency assistance is no longer needed. The nation entered the recovery phase in the quadruple plight caused by an earthquake and tsunami that grew worse with nuclear power plant failures and freezing temperatures."

Saipan Tribune

Saipan Tribune: "The American Red Cross NMI Chapter has pledged to donate up to 10 percent of the proceeds from the 25th Annual Red Cross Walkathon this Saturday to aid relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami devastation in Japan."

With tech power in hand, Google's crisis response team gears up - International Business Times

With tech power in hand, Google's crisis response team gears up - International Business Times: "Apart from launching a Person-Finder within minutes after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, Google has raised a donation of $250,000 so far."

EU pledges further 14 million dollars in post-quake aid to Japan - Monsters and Critics

EU pledges further 14 million dollars in post-quake aid to Japan - Monsters and Critics: "Brussels - The European Union's executive on Monday pledged an additional aid of 10 million euros (14 million dollars) to help Japan recover from the effects of last month's devastating earthquake and tsunami."

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Understanding Japan’s Needs after Earthquake and Tsunami

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | Understanding Japan’s Needs after Earthquake and Tsunami: "March 26, 2011; Source: The Lancet | The earthquake that devastated Haiti last year and the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Sumatra and the nations bordering the Indian Ocean in 2004 caused unbelievable death and destruction, but the problems facing Japan – and the NGOs trying to respond with help – are very different."

Giving to disaster relief is as easy as your nearest ATM | StarTribune.com

Giving to disaster relief is as easy as your nearest ATM | StarTribune.com: "Wells Fargo customers logging into ATM machines this month found a new option on their screens. Next to the box that says 'Deposit Cash' is one saying 'Donate to Charity.'

Donate they did. In just 10 days, the ubiquitous ATM machines collected more than $1 million for Japan relief efforts by the American Red Cross. The experiment marks the first time ATM machines have been used nationwide -- by any bank -- to raise money for a charity, say national banking officials."

Quake-hit Japan receives over 1 bil. yen in donations from abroad - The Mainichi Daily News

Quake-hit Japan receives over 1 bil. yen in donations from abroad - The Mainichi Daily News: "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan has received more than 1 billion yen in donations for reconstruction from foreign governments, private-sector groups and individuals as well as 1,300 tons in relief supplies following devastating the March 11 quake and tsunami, government and customs officials said Tuesday."

Best Links: Better Disaster Fundraising, Social Media Myths, Motivating Today

Best Links: Better Disaster Fundraising, Social Media Myths, Motivating Today: "Disaster Giving

There has been a lot of hand wringing over whether we should be raising funds for Japan and how to do it.

While I think that some organzations have taken advantage of the crisis in ways that diminish the reputation of the nonprofit sector, I also think that when people are motivated to give, giving should proceed."

Mobilizing online communities in the Face of Disaster: Tips from NetSquared Local Organizers | NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoupGlobal.org

Mobilizing online communities in the Face of Disaster: Tips from NetSquared Local Organizers | NetSquared, an initiative of TechSoupGlobal.org: "On the 12th of March, one day after the tragic earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan Ichi - Hiroyasu Ichikawa - the NetSquared Local organizer from Tokyo sent an e-mail to our NetSquared Local Organizer listserve asking for the best practices for mobilizing online communities in the time of a disaster. In the weeks that have followed, Ichi’s e-mail provoked a series of responses from all over the world. In this post, we hope to voice many of the tools, resources, and tactics that have been shared, in hopes of encouraging others around the world to get involved with the digital relief efforts."

W&M Blogs � W&M’s Commitment to Haiti

W&M Blogs � W&M’s Commitment to Haiti: "The first W&M Haiti Compact alternative break, which had been designed as a response by the College in coalition with other universities around the country to the 2010 Haitian earthquake, is back on track for a May 2011 trip."

Organizers say fundraising efforts need a boost

Organizers say fundraising efforts need a boost: "Organizers say fundraising efforts need a boost

Only $12 million pledged via Red Cross, Haitian donations had hit $200M in hours

By MARIAN SCOTT, The Gazette March 24, 2011



Have Canadians been slow to reach out a helping hand to earthquake-ravaged Japan?

While Quebecers opened their hearts and pocketbooks to Haiti in the wake of last year's 7.0-magnitude quake, relief efforts for Japan have been low-key in comparison."

Rise in Myanmar Quake Toll Feared - WSJ.com

Rise in Myanmar Quake Toll Feared - WSJ.com: "Aid agencies said they feared the death toll from a powerful earthquake in northeastern Myanmar Thursday night could climb further after government authorities reported at least 70 people were killed and hundreds of homes destroyed.

The quake struck just north of the trading hub of Tachileik, in a mountainous region near Myanmar's border with Thailand, and was measured at 6.8 by the U.S. Geological Survey. Tremors could be felt as far off as Hanoi, nearly 400 miles away, and Bangkok, more than 450 miles away, where tall buildings swayed. There was no tsunami as the earthquake occurred far inland."