Japan relief effort

[Terry Phillips]

I recently made a contribution to AmeriCares to help with relief efforts in Japan.
Yesterday they sent this status update.

Go to
www.americares.org
to pitch in.
Thanks in advance.
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Dear Terry,

It's been eight days since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and deadly tsunami struck Japan ? and the country is struggling to respond to the aftermath of this still unfolding disaster. The Japanese government has mounted a massive emergency response effort, but scale of the devastation is such that internal resources won't be enough to meet the needs of survivors.

AmeriCares began mobilizing within hours of the crisis and we now have teams working with hospitals, shelters, local NGOs and relief officials in Tokyo and Sendai to deliver assistance to the disaster victims.

Emergency response is always difficult, but in recent days, relief efforts have been hampered by snowfall and freezing weather, and the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant remains a major threat. But AmeriCares operational capability in Japan is growing quickly and ? while logistics remain challenging ? our relief effort is expanding to meet the needs of the survivors.

As of this writing, government reports are staggering ? now more than 6,000 people dead, with near certainty that that number will continue to rise, and over 10,000 people still missing. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and are homeless. Food, water and fuel remain in short supply. And millions of homes remain without electricity.

AmeriCares is prepared to provide immediate and ongoing assistance ? working to align our efforts with the priorities of local health authorities and government relief officials. We are identifying specific needs in the disaster zone and sourcing medical and personal hygiene items from donors and suppliers within Japan. We are also working with a local NGO on an aid convoy to Sendai ? the epicenter of the earthquake and the region most impacted by the tsunami.

The health concerns of survivors are increasing ? hospitals, while functioning, are running low on emergency supplies as well as resources to care for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Poor sanitation conditions are leading to a rise in diarrhea and other illnesses among evacuees ? conditions that are a particular threat to the large elderly population.

We are closely monitoring the unfolding situation at the Fukushima plant and the health risks it poses. AmeriCares medical director is engaged with leading radiation experts on assessing this issue, and staff safety is our first priority.

Thank you for your concern and generosity in helping AmeriCares respond in the face of this tragedy.

[Terry Phillips]

Dear Terry,

Your generosity is saving lives, and the people of Japan are grateful.

AmeriCares had a team of relief workers on the ground in Japan within days of the earthquake and tsunami, and our most recent aid shipment arrived earlier this week. It includes more than 850,000 bandages and wound dressings, enough anesthesia to treat 2,000 patients, sutures for 2,500 procedures, plus antibiotics for acute bacterial infections, IV solutions, pain relievers, masks, syringes, gloves and hygiene kits.

Because of supporters like you, AmeriCares responded immediately with lifesaving aid for the people of Japan. But their needs are still not met ? so our job is still not done.

Three weeks after the worst natural disaster in Japan's history, the situation on the ground remains dire. Nearly 175,000 people are still living in evacuation centers and thousands more are living in cars or in homes with no electricity or running water. More than half of the hospitals in the Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures have reached full capacity and are unable to accept new patients, and 33 hospitals are not admitting patients due to a lack of medical resources and staff.

AmeriCares is committed to months ? and years ? of hard work delivering medicines and medical and hygiene supplies. Even now we don't know the full extent of the damage that has been done in Japan, but we do know we can count on generous supporters like you.

We are saving lives together. Please consider another life-changing gift to help the people of Japan.

Thank you for everything you do.