Humanism at work in Japan

On the day Japan was devastated by an 8.9 earthquake and massive tsunami, Foundation Beyond Belief, the humanist charitable foundation I direct, launched a fund drive for the relief effort.

We were tempted to name a relief organization as recipient on that day, but we waited. No two natural disasters are alike. The earthquakes in Haiti and Chile presented dramatically different challenges for relief organizations, and the current situation had its own unique character and needs.

It’s a good thing we waited. After a few days it became clear that most international relief organizations would be only marginally involved in the response. Through long, painful experience, Japan has become the best-prepared nation on Earth for natural disasters. Even so, the sheer scale of the task at hand will require an immense amount of effort and financial resources.

As donations poured in from our members and supporters, we monitored the situation to determine how best to direct the funds. Yesterday it became clear that our support would do the most good not in international hands, but by direct contribution to the domestic Japanese agency at the center of this massive effort.

Foundation Beyond Belief will forward 100 percent of collected funds to the Japanese Red Cross.

The Japanese Red Cross operates 92 hospitals nationwide and forms the backbone of domestic disaster response in Japan. By donating directly to JRCS, we can be confident that our funds are going where they are needed most for the long recovery ahead. And as of Wednesday March 16, Foundation Beyond Belief members and supporters have donated over $12,000 to the relief fund.

To make a donation to the Japanese Red Cross through Foundation Beyond Belief, visit our homepage and click on the orange ChipIn button in the sidebar.

Deepest thanks to all of you who have donated so generously.