The Causes community helps get relief efforts underway in Japan

We’re watching the relief efforts in Japan very closely at Causes. As soon as the earthquake hit Japan last week, we started fielding requests from people whose first question was, “How can I help?”

Over the weekend we saw nuclear reactors in Japan deteriorating: hydrogen explosions at one plant and a third failing to cool, more than half a million people are without homes, there have been over 200 aftershocks and the number of dead isn’t known yet, but estimates are saying that number will reach the tens of thousands.

At Causes, we’re blown away by the outpouring of generosity on the part of our global community. As of this afternoon, you have donated over $150,000 to various nonprofits serving in Japan and have been sharing via Facebook, Twitter, email and others. Thank you.

We’re not done yet

The global aid community is responding as quickly as possible to Japan: sending relief crews to work on the ground, building internal capacity, organizing needed supplies, and making sure they’re getting the word out across their communities.

Save the Children has sent response workers to Japan to assess and respond to the needs of families and children there.

The Japanese Cultural & Community Center Center of Northern California is raising funds to organize efforts to get food and water directly to affected citizens, search efforts, clothing and essential supplies to those in need.

Shelter Box has a team enroute to Japan now to provide support on the ground.

Oxfam America is working to identify partners to assist people who are suffering in the Pacific tsunami disaster and whose voices may not otherwise be heard.

The American Red Cross is working with their Japanese partners to provide emergency disaster relief services in Japan.