Canadians donate millions for Japanese earthquake relief
Posted Mar 14, 2011 04:41:50 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Canadians are reaching into their pockets to help the people of Japan.
Since Friday, $1.4 million dollars has been raised in online donations alone through the Canadian Red Cross.
With images and videos of the devastation posted on Facebook and Twitter, spokesperson Tanya Elliott says it’s hard not to care.
“We’re seeing devastation like what’s taken place in Japan in real time, or immediately following the disaster, so I think people are able to see it and react that much more quickly,” she said.
Dave Toycen from World Vision Canada says children need the most support because they are vulnerable physically and emotionally.
“In a situation like this, children are especially vulnerable to the obvious things like lack of food and water,” he said. “And emotionally, just dealing with whatever trauma their family’s had to deal with.”
John Byrne, the Atlantic director of the Red Cross, says the Red Cross has created a new support fund specifically for relief efforts in Japan.
“The Japanese Earthquake Asia Pacific Tsunami fund has been created,” he said. “This fund is open to all Canadians who can make a donation to the Canadian Red Cross and we will ensure those funds are used to assist the people of Japan.
Fortunately, Byrne says, the Japanese have one of the most sophisticated emergency response organizations in the world but the need for immediate aid is inevitable.
“History has shown us that with these types of events there will be significant loss and there will be significant needs. We’re very hopeful that a lot of the preparation and preparedness that have gone into this will help mitigate the end result of much loss of life,” Byrne says.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross you can do so by visiting their website or by phone at 1-800-418-1111.
Rogers, the parent company of this radio station, has also launched a text-to-donate campaign. Rogers and Fido wireless customers can text ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 to earthquake relief efforts.
100 per cent of all donations will go to the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund.
As of today, CIBC and TD Canada are accepting donations for the Red Cross at branches across the country. All major chartered banks will accept donations starting Tuesday.
VISA has announced it will waive interchange fees on donations made until April 30 to the following charities:
