Countries Unite To Help Japan

Photo: Fairfax County International Task Force

On March 11 —just a few weeks after the Christchurch earthquake— Japan had experienced one of the worst earthquakes ever, registering at a 9.0 on the Richter Scale. An earthquake with that magnitude happens only once in 5 to 10 years. Shortly afterward, a devastating tsunami followed. This earthquake was so severe that it has been said that Japan shifted 8 feet (2.4 meters). Aftershocks have been as high as 6.0 on the Richter scale. The earth's axis moved 10 inches that day.

Not since World War II has Japan experienced such destruction. More than 2,000,000 households
are without electrical power and water. Over 10,000 have perished. The biggest hurdle this country will face is stopping the nuclear reactors from having a meltdown. Thousands of people as well as their pets have been displaced from their homes.

Photo Source: News Observer

Countries Band Together

Countries from all over the world are uniting to help Japan in the midst of disaster. Many of the countries had landed on March 13 and will be deploying on March 14 at first dawn. These next hours are critical if there are any survivors to be found.

Some of the countries assisting Japan include:

• The United States has already sent a joint team of 144 rescue workers out there with 12 rescue dogs who will bark alert at the sight of any persons. One rescue team is from Fairfax County, Virginia, and the other is from Los Angeles County, California. Over 85 tons of equipment have been provided for this mission.
• Great Britain has sent a search and rescue team of 59 rescue workers, 4 doctors, 2 rescue dogs and 11 tons of equipment.
• Germany has sent 40 rescue workers and 2 rescue dogs through the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief. This agency is composed mainly of volunteers.
• France has over 100 from their country assisting Japan and an additional 11 from Monaco helping the country through their plight.
• Italy is standing by on word from the Japanese government on how they can help.
• China arrived with its rescue workers on Sunday morning.
• Australiahas deployed 72 rescue workers to Japan. It also has offered its field hospitals and victim identification personnel to Japan. Additionally, dogs will be en route as well.
  
• Singaporesent 5 rescue workers and two search and rescue dogs each. Many more rescue workers are on standby.
• South Korea sent 5 rescue dogs.
• New Zealand will be contributing 48 rescue workers to the search.

This is just the tip of the iceberg with many more countries currently on standby waiting to offer help to Japan when requested. In the social arena, the Annenberg Foundation will be providing $200,000 USD toward sending rescue dogs to aid in the Japan response efforts because over 100,000 people hit "Like" on The the Dogs Bless USA page on Facebook by Sunday evening. (110,356 and counting) Originally, they were going to offer $100,000 yet because of the actions of those on Facebook, the amount was doubled. Countless donations have rolled in from around the world. If you would like to help, you can find a variety of agencies through this link.

 I am truly saddened and dismayed at what has happened to Japan and send them my sympathy, hopes and prayers during this tragic time.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts on this historic event?

Search And Rescue In The Christchurch Earthquake

Photo: Sky Wide Design

Four days ago, Christchurch, New Zealand registered an earthquake that hit 6.3 on the Richter Scale. The first 100 hours after an earthquake are critical. With over 200 people missing and 145 people declared dead, finding the injured survivors is of the utmost importance.

Coming Together From Near And Far

Search dogs have been brought from England, Australia as well as New Zealand to assist in the rescue. They are working non-stop with rescuers to find the rest of the missing people. They have been working on rotating twelve hour shifts to make this possible.

The sheer numbers are jawdropping:

• 120 patients have been moved to other hospitals
• 600 people are working as search and rescue
• 17 per cent of the properties have been declared unsafe. 60 per cent of the properties are safe
• 4000 home checks have taken place
• 80 percent of power has been restored to the residents since the earthquake
• 62,500 people have no water and 100,000 do not have sewage service

How You Can Help

The Red Cross New Zealand is accepting donations through their website. You can find their website here.

Read More About It

New Zealand Herald Article
New Zealand Warned To Brace For Aftershocks - News.Co.Au


My thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.