Japan Earthquake - A Singaporean's Point Of View

As we all know, various social media channels and news channels have been filled with horror reports and videos after a 8.9 earthquake striked Japan yesterday. It triggered a tsunami that destroyed a huge portion of Japan's north eastean coastal areas.



Immediately, most of us think of our friends who are in Japan and most of us prayed for their safety. Though I don't have any direct Japanese friends, I am glad whenever I see my friends receive positive replies from their Japanese friends via Facebook.

On the other hand, amongst all news, I also chance upon articles of businesses making opportunities out of this misfortune. For example, Channel News Asia sent out email advertisments asking people to purchase up-to-date news bulletins.

Such news clearly shows how lucky Singaporeans are.

Being surrounded with neighboring countries that can shield us from natural disasters, we live in a relatively safe environment all year round. Death tolls and video images tend to remain just the way they are -- numbers, and another moving image that looks similar to the 2012 movie some time back.  

On the other hand, I can't describe how much I feel for the people there which some, but not majority of my peers feel. The fear, the pain. It is indescribable. Remember the Tsunami back in India, 2004?

In 2005, I went to India as a volunteer and witnessed the aftermaths of the diseaster sites. Though it was an aftermath, the waves were still really huge (at least 3 stories high - just look at a hdb flat to imagine that height), and the people around us told us about their missing family members with tears in their eyes - most were male sole breadwinners of the family being washed away while they were fishing... They are real people, people like you and me and all your loved ones around you. They are not just-another-number.

I just received a tweet from Times - TIME's correspondents face chaos in the orderly nation of Japan | http://ti.me/fwsdFI (via @TIMEWorld). The journalist described this feel really well.

Despite the history of Japanese War etc, after attending Japanese classes this semaster, I got to know a lot more about the Japan culture, people, language and I really like what I see. Most of you have fond memories of animes, dramas, variety shows and mangas from Japan too right?

So. What can we do to help? We can't do much physically, but we can help them financially. There are some avenues I've consolidated below for you, would you donate to help?

Also, before signing off, let's remember to treasure what matters in our lives. If the world ends tomorrow, can you tell yourself that you have lived without regrets?

• World Vision

• Call 1-888-56-CHILD (1-888-562-4453)
• SMS “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10
• Visit the website to donate
• Red Cross
• SMS REDCROSS to 90999 to make the $10 donation
•  International Medical Corps (does relief teams, as well as supplies)
• SMS MED to 80888 to donate $10 to emergency relief efforts
•  Save the Children
• SMS “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10
•  GlobalGiving, based in Washington, D.C.
• Text JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10.
• The Salvation Army
• Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation
•  mGive Foundation
• Convoy of Hope, text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10
• World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals, text WAVE to 50555 to donate $10

Source:

Japan's earthquake: How to help - by Suzanne Choney

Please Help Those Affected By The EarthQuake In Japan - by Mr Gadget

 Other sources of info for latest news:

• BBC Live Updates
• Most updated news from mainstream media
• Facebook: Disaster Relief page 
• Has good information
• Twitter: follow #SupportJapan, #japan, #tsunami, #prayforjapan
• There's spam but there's useful sites too.