Help Japan
My heart goes out to all of those in Japan, and friends and relatives, as well as anyone affected by the recent disaster. Although I am not linked to anyone in Japan, I still feel the need to make people aware of the recent natural disaster and how to help. Too many times in the past (albeit, when I was younger) I neglected to donate - not because I was insensitive, but because I didn't know how. So this post - although I doubt many to read it - is not to manipulate or persuade you to give any money - but to tell you how if you want to.
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As of yet, Japan has not asked for help from the Red Cross (one of the major organisations that people are donating to) or any aid, and so if you donate, the money will be just in case, when and if, Japan ask.
Instead of donating to the Red Cross, I would encourage you to think about donating to Doctors Without Borders, who have already apparently gone to help (or the European Medicin sans Frontieres).
For more info see here - www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/03/did-your-donation-really-reach...
For Doctors Without Borders, please see here ( specifically Medecins Sans Frontieres) - www.msf.org.uk/Japanese_earthquake_20110311.news
Thanks.
UPDATE - Japan have now asked the UK for assistance with rescue operations, including search and rescue and person identification expertise.