Crisis in Japan: How You Can Help

By Ric O’Barry

Japan has endured a natural disaster of epic proportions. On March 11, 2011, the northern prefectures were rocked by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, by far the most powerful to strike Japan in recorded history. The coastlines were then ravaged by a massive tsunami, so intense its power was felt on the other side of the Pacific. Now, with search and rescue efforts still underway, the entire country is faced with the possibility of a full nuclear meltdown. It’s unimaginable.

We have many friends and extended Dolphin Project family in Japan, and we also had volunteers just a few miles from the epicenter of the earthquake. They witnessed an entire fishing town reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes. They made it out safely, in no small part due to the overwhelming kindness of the Japanese people they met with along the way. Many in Japan did not make it out, and many more still face an uncertain future.

We are dedicated to protecting dolphins and whales, but now is the time for us all to help our dear friends in Japan with their terrible ordeal. As I’ve said from the beginning of our campaign, we are not against “Japan” or the Japanese people. Our Campaign is not about hate, but about helping dolphins and the people of Japan.

If you can, please donate to help our friends in Japan.

Here’s a list of organizations and resources:

Japanese Red Cross:

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

Peace Boat:

http://www.peaceboat.org/english/index.php

Japanese Americans Citizen’s League:

https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?idb=126499583&df_id=1700&1700.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=xth7h1uv12.app246b

Otsuchi Recovery Effort:

http://www.otsuchi.org/

Japan Society:

http://www.japansociety.org/earthquake