In Wake of Earthquake and Tsunami, Our Thoughts Are with Japan

The following blog post is authored by UUSC's Rights in Humanitarian Crises Program staff, which includes Manager Martha Thompson and Senior Associate Gretchen Alther.

UPDATE (Tuesday, March 15, 10:30 a.m.): After weekend developments and careful consultation with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), this post has been updated.

As you know, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan on Friday afternoon (keep in mind the time difference). The earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that has killed scores of people, leveled buildings in several cities, and inundated farmland. The full extent of the casualties and damage is not yet known. Japan, which has an excellent disaster-response infrastructure, is already mobilizing rescue and relief efforts.

In response to the earthquake — the strongest in Japan's recorded history — and the tsunami, the International Federation of the Red Cross has deployed 11 emergency assessment teams and is providing first aid and health care. The Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance has 62 international search-and-rescue teams ready to go, and various countries have already pledged support (including the United States, which President Obama has said "stands ready to help").

Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people of Japan in this difficult time of loss and destruction. UUSC is engaging with the UUA to determine the most effective way that Unitarian Universalists can support the Japanese people, and how UUSC can best use its expertise in disaster response. If you would like to donate to the relief effort, please give to the UUA-UUSC Japan Relief Fund.

Comments

Background and update

Submitted by Martha Thompson on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 9:09am.

I'd like to thank all of the people who commented for their concerns. It is heartbreaking to see the devastation from this disaster, and we, too, are distressed at the escalating consequences. We understand that you look to UUSC for leadership in disaster-relief assistance and we want you to know that we approach these situations deliberately with our unique approach in mind.

In the wake of the disaster, the Japanese government has not yet formally asked for outside assistance. That is why we initially recommended that if people wanted to take immediate action, they could direct their support toward an organization that had established offices and infrastructure inside the country, following best practices for international humanitarian assistance.

With increasing concern about the developments in Japan, we have consulted with the UUA, who has long-term partners on the ground there, and decided to join together in the UUA-UUSC Japan Relief Fund. Read our latest update and find out more.

You need to read this

Submitted by Bahksit (not verified) on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 7:55am.

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/03/14/dont-donate-money-to-ja... Earmarking funds is a really good way of hobbling relief organizations and ensuring that they have to leave large piles of money unspent in one place while facing urgent needs in other places. And as Matthew Bishop and Michael Green said last year, we are all better at responding to human suffering caused by dramatic, telegenic emergencies than to the much greater loss of life from ongoing hunger, disease and conflict. That often results in a mess of uncoordinated NGOs parachuting in to emergency areas with lots of good intentions, where a strategic official sector response would be much more effective. Meanwhile, the smaller and less visible emergencies where NGOs can do the most good are left unfunded. In the specific case of Japan, there’s all the more reason not to donate money. Japan is a wealthy country which is responding to the disaster, among other things, by printing hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of new money. Money is not the bottleneck here: if money is needed, Japan can raise it.

UUSC Failure to Support Japaneese people in their time of need!

Submitted by Paul Tierney (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 4:33pm.

I add my comments to those that spoke of their sadness when learning that the UUSC had passed on providing aid upon the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. However, it is not too late for the UUSC to acknowledge their mistake and get behind the UUA Japan Disaster Fund. Paul J. Tierney

disappointed in Japan response

Submitted by Jeff Chard (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 10:47am.

When disasters like Katrina and Hati occurred, I was secure in the knowledge that I could count on UUSC to make sure my contribution, and my congregation's collective contribution, went where they needed to go. On Saturday I checked the website to see what info about Japan relief I could provide to my congregation the next day, and was saddened by the UUSC's decision. I am unable to undertand your logic or your consistency. If your criteria had been applied to Hurricane Katrina relief, UUSC would not have "intervened in that disaster" either. Jeff Chard Member, UU Church of Utica New York

Focus

Submitted by S. Boogenhagen (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 9:05am.

Definitely tragic what has happened in northern Japan, and for the most part, unpreventable. If there are marginalized people in great need in Japan, I am certain the UUSC will reach them. But I'd rather see UUs rise to address a preventable disaster. I'd rather see my people address the ongoing assault on workers' rights exemplified by the egregious happenings in the Wisconsin state house and other states. You won't see an international coalition forming to come to the aid of the American worker, though workers in other countries won't stand much of a chance if corporations win final control over the U.S. government. This is a struggle no one, including UUs, can afford to lose. Dr. S. V. Boogenhagen

UUA now has a relief fund

Submitted by Michel S. (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 7:53am.

announced on their webpage. Perhaps UUSC could direct people there in addition to Oxfam Japan?

Meltdown

Submitted by Jon Dobrer (not verified) on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 8:52pm.

I truly don't understand our UUSC failure to act. Whether Japan has or had resources and whether the world is participating do not excuse us from doing the right thing at this important time. People are frightened, hungry and homeless. People are thirsty, sick with all of the diseases that strike quickly in these catastrophes. But the worst is likely ahead as radiation leaks out, as radioactive steam is vented, as the partial meltdowns spew poison in the air, contaminate the water and, in the words of UU educator Malvina Reynolds, "Just a little rain with some smoke in its eye," falls on the people. There is a terrible irony that Japan, the only nation ever to suffer a nuclear attack, is now suffering this growing disaster from nuclear radiation. I do understand that the amount of pain in the world is virtually limitless, and we all have to pick and choose where to put our personal efforts, but to say "We pass, others have this covered," seems to me to be a flawed moral position. We could, at least, provide our name, logo and bona fides and give our people the opportunity of giving through our good offices. Jon Dobrer Minister, Fullerton

Time to Reconsider

Submitted by Mike Pitts (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 11:28am.

I believe the initial response by the UUSC may have been justified based on the initial assessment, however, clearly the situation is much worse than originally anticipated and the remainder of the world (including the UUSC) must begin to reconsider. Japan is one of the most industrialized county's in the world, however experience has shown all of us that the best plans/resources of man can very quicly be overcome by mother nature's fury. Now is the time for people of all faiths and beliefs to demonstrate compassion and caring for our fellow inhabitants of the globe. Someday the United States will again experience a similar type of event and one would hope that organizations such as the UUSC will respond. Let us lead by example so that when times are tragic for us we can rely on others as they need our support at this moment. Grace to all in this time of tragedy.

An unimaginable mistake

Submitted by Jonathan Coxwell (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 9:58am.

On Sunday while visiting a UU church other than my own I heard the announcement during "Joys and Concerns" that the UUSC was taking a pass on disaster relief for Japan. I could not believe what I was hearing. I belong to a different UU church but was attending to hear a potential candidate for the minister position at that church speak. This candidate, soon to be ordained, was accompanied by his family and his Japanese wife. I cannot believe the sorrow she must have felt in her heart, when the very denomination that her husband was about to enter as a practicing clergy, was turning its back on the people suffering in her homeland. Our covenant to each other is love guided by the Seven "Principals". In my opinion this action (or lack of action) violates at least 4 of those "Seven Principals". Jonathan Coxwell, Congregant Barneveld, NY

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In Wake of Earthquake and Tsunami, Our Thoughts Are with Japan

Comments