Helping the Humans and Animals of Japan

Such a monumental tragedy, what happened in Japan. Words cannot express. To be hit by the deadly double blow of a colossal earthquake and a tsunami on March 11 is bad enough. Throw in a nuclear crisis and you have a thoroughly traumatized nation.

There are plenty of opportunities to donate to humans and animals in Japan. Red Cross, UNICEF and the Mennonite Central Committee are all wonderful ways of helping people. And believe me, they need our help. Whatever you can spare - $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 or more - every little bit helps.

Lots of agencies are also working around the clock to help animals in Japan. A Facebook group for Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support is collecting donations. The Japanese organization known as the Animal Refuge Kansai is also doing a lot to help offer shelter and care for Japan's devastated and homeless animals. The Animal Miracle Foundation & Network has also been providing critical assistance in hard-hit areas. Finally, the groups World Vets and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) are two other very worthwhile organizations that need our support.

It is amazing how far a little bit of money goes with these groups. Whether the recipients are human beings or animals - ideally both - a small donation makes a big difference.

Crisis in Haiti Devastates Humans and Animals Alike

The crisis in Haiti has been staggering. Some observers are estimating the human death toll could reach 200,000 - just about 30,000 shy of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami death toll. A lot of generous people around the world are reaching deep in their pockets to donate to charities that are sending aid to the Haitian people. It is a gargantuan effort in every sense of the word. Watching images of rescuers pulling people out of the rubble, the corpses stacked by the side of the road, and the armies of Haitian homeless wandering the streets are all reminders of the precariousness of human life and the damage that mere seconds of severe earthquake can do to people, especially in such an impoverished nation.

In addition to the massive, large-scale effort to bring aid and relief to the Haitian people, there is also a much smaller effort to help the dislocated animals of Haiti. USA Today has noted that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is joining forces with the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti to help take care of the huge population of animals affected by the disaster. As USA Today notes:

There are an estimated 5 million head of livestock in the country (mostly goats), a large stray dog population, an untold number of companion animals and native wildlife all adversely affected by the earthquake.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the American Humane Association is also joining in on the rescue effort. There is an excellent Blog entry on Super Vegan about what you can do to help the animals of Haiti. My policy has been to donate to the charities that help human beings and whatever extra I can give, I will give to help the animals. Both are desperately in need of help.

Tragedy in Haiti

It is horrific to see the tragic images coming out of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that rocked the island nation a few days ago. The scenes of death, destruction and despair on television is almost more than any viewer can withstand. If there is any silver lining to this dark cloud, it is this: It is amazing to see how technology is helping the relief effort. People across North America have been texting donations to different earthquake relief organizations. Millions of dollars have already been raised. For those looking to help, the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) has compiled an amazing list of different relief efforts and the ways in which people in the United States and Canada can help. The URL is:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/01/13/f-emergency-contacts-haiti-relief-aid.html

Every little bit helps - $5, $10, $20 - whatever you can spare. This is a tragedy of gargantuan proportions. I know that a lot of people will be reaching deep into their pockets and doing whatever they can to help the people of Haiti. There is a lot of goodness and generosity in North America. Amazing acts of generosity have already been too numerous to count. Let's all do our own little part to keep that tradition alive and well.