The Great Tohoku Earthquake and TEDxTokyo
The tragic events triggered by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck northeast Japan on March 11th are hard to comprehend. The scale of the disaster is beyond imagination, with the loss of tens of thousands of lives, and hundreds of thousands now living in temporary shelters.
As time passes and the rescue and relief programs progress, so we are hearing more stories of individuals putting their own interests to one side in order to help others: from the doctor who gave his life to save a vital hospital satellite phone, to the thousands of volunteers in Tokyo now raising money and collecting relief goods to send to those in affected areas.
Particiapte
We invite you, the extended TEDx community, to contribute your own stories of how you have been affected by this disaster, or how you are helping with the relief effort. Please share your stories on our Facebook page, or email your story to stories@tedxtokyo.com.
What we are doing
The TEDxTokyo community has been active in initiating and supporting a number of projects, the first of whic is the establishment of a group that will focus upon the reconstruction program in the stricken areas once the initial crisis is over.
Other projects we are supporting include:
Tokyo International School Emergency Supply Centre
www.support.tokyois.com)
TEDxTokyo partner Tokyo International School in collaboration with Second Harvest Japan is accepting donations of vital supplies for those in affected areas. These are being delivered by truck on a daily basis to areas where they are most needed. The costs involved in transported aid to the north are considerable – if you are unable to donate goods please consider making a financial contribution.
Tomodachi Calling
www.cafepress.com/tomodachicalling is a charity web-shop with T-shirts and other cool products organized by a group of international friends with strong ties to Tokyo and the TEDxTokyo community. The shop features designs donated by artists and other creatives, with 100% of proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross. Please check out their blog and join them on facebook for more information.
Handmade for Japan
www.handmadeforjapan.org
Artist Daniel Rosden, a member of Rinpa Eshida who performed live at TEDxTokyo 2010, More information here
JHelp
www.jhelp.com
Another aid organisation working in the Tohoku region providing relief. Please consider making a donation.
Foreign Volunteers Japan
www.foreignvolunteersjapan.org
With a collection point near Yotsuya Sanchome, FVJ are running regular trips to the Tohoku region and collaborating with the Peace Boat and Red Cross Japan.
For a complete list of ways in which you can help please see this article from the Japan Times.
For a list of organizations that will use 100% of your donations to help those in effected areas, please see www.charitynavigator.org
TEDxTokyo would like to thank all of those who have sent in messages of support, aid and donations to partner organizations. The relief program will continue for several years – it’s never too late to contribute. Finally, whilst many events have been cancelled as a result of the earthquake, we’d like to reassure people that TEDxTokyo 2011 will be taking place as planned on May 21st.
