--DO NOT-- Send Your Relief Money to Japanese Soto-Shu ...

On March 16, Soka Gakkai youth volunteers from Hokkaido, Aomori and Akita prefectures reached the Iwate Culture Center. They met with Soka Gakkai Iwate prefectural youth leader Shun'ichi Tomita to organize the delivery of relief supplies throughout the region, based on requests from the affected areas. On March 15, the first delivery of relief materials reached Otsuchi town in Iwate prefecture which had been out of communication since the earthquake. Otsuchi, located on the coast, had been completely isolated due to the earthquake, tsunamis and fires.
The delivery was made possible due to the efforts of one Soka Gakkai member from Otsuchi, Masaki Takagi, whose own home was completely swept away by the tsunami. He was able to contact the Soka Gakkai Iwate Culture Center after driving 80km to Hanamaki City where he finally found a working phone. On contacting the Iwate Culture Center, Mr. Takagi was able to notify them of conditions in Otsuchi, requesting relief supplies be sent, including blankets, food and water. He also clarified that the roads near the wildfire that had broken out in the area were still accessible and that Otsuchi was reachable.


http://www.sgi.org/news/h-relief/relif2 ... tinue.html

The monastery in Taiwan began loading supplies into vehicles to be transported to the people in the area who had lost homes, possessions, and loved ones due to the earthquake and tsunami.. Medical supplies and food are of the first order, but blankets and creature comforts are also important. Most important, though, is the gentle touch of a caring hand: Someone wiping a tear from a scared child's eye. The compassionate, loving gaze of someone who cares deeply. These heartfelt connections are the elements are not overlooked by Fo Guang Buddhists.

CWS's response centers on emergency relief support to at least 5,000 families, about 25,000 individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeastern area of Japan - the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Ibaragi and Tochigi. Assistance will include immediately required food items and non-food items through a partnership with the Japan Platform, known by the acronym JPF. CWS will focus on evacuation sites where basic needs of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are not being met. These sites are presently being prioritized and identified by JPF.

The CWS response will include ready-to-eat food to meet calorie requirements of those living in evacuation sites. In addition, the response team will distribute sanitation kits, including napkins and soap to fill significant sanitation and hygiene gaps. Water consumption requirements at evacuation sites will be addressed, and one potential substitute for water could include prepared green tea. Blankets, accessed from sources from within the region, are being prioritized to help protect people from the cold, which is becoming an increasingly dire problem as fuel and gas supplies are running out. In order to maintain radio contact at evacuation sites, batteries will be supplied to support victims receiving vital news on nuclear and radiation related developments, information collection and communications. Gas and fuel supplies will also be provided to evacuation sites.

Relief efforts will be carried out by member non-governmental organizations of the JPF and will be coordinated with other humanitarian agencies as well as local authorities. Assistance will be delivered based upon Sphere minimum standards in terms of calorie consumption requirements, water consumption requirements and appropriate sanitation measures. The CWS Asia/Pacific head of emergencies will be stationed in Tokyo this week to coordinate the response along with CWS team on the ground. Relief items will be accessed within the Asia/Pacific region.

The bishops urged all Christians engaged in the medical field to join rescue teams organised by the government or NGO to help Japan.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency, the compassion of the Taiwanese population can be seen in the tonnes of material aid that arrived yesterday in Tokyo.

A first batch of 26 tonnes of relief supplies, including coats, masks, blankets, generators and mineral water, arrived at Narita Airport outside Tokyo, whilst another shipment of instant noodles, 298 generators and 200 heaters arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

Happy Science has established an Emergency Disaster Headquarters and has started various supportive activities in the affected areas, prioritizing our efforts in insuring the safety of the people.

At Happy Science Temples and Local Branches across the world, we are praying from our hearts that people will be relieved of their sufferings. We also pray for the quick recovery of the stricken areas. We have opened up our facilities in these areas to the public as temporary evacuation centers. Happy Science will do all that is possible to provide everyday commodities and any necessary assistance through our volunteers.

On March 23, Tzu chi volunteers sent 10 tons of relief goods to the cities of Rikuzentakata and Ofunato, which were severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami, in Iwate Prefecture. On March 24, a disaster relief team will travel to these two cities to prepare for aid distributions on March 25. 

http://tw.tzuchi.org/en/index.php?optio ... 18&lang=en