JAPAN QUAKE: HOW TO HELP

AP/Kyodo News

In the wake of the devastating catastrophe which shook Japan on Friday, help is starting to pour in this embattled nation. Hours after the quake, the United States has pledged its support for Japan by sending two of its naval assets, the USS Blue Ridge and the USS Ronald Reagan. It has also sent coolant to assist Japanese nuclear experts in alleviating temperatures at a damaged nuclear power plant. In the coming days, the United States is expected to pour in financial aid while the American public has already mobilized efforts to gather financial aid and supplies for quake victims.

Other countries have followed suit as well. Russia and China set aside its disputes with Japan and has expressed their sympathies and pledges of help. Russia's Emergencies Ministry is sending a six aircraft with doctors, emergency personnel, sniffer dogs and a mobile hospital. The Chinese Red Cross has offered 1 million yuan in emergency aid and has sent a fully-equipped emergency response unit to the country. 45 other nations are also on their way to sending assistance to Japan either in financial aid or search-and-rescue teams.

We Pray for Japan wristband/Lady Gaga webstore

Even Hollywood stars are joining the bandwagon to help. Pop star Lady Gaga has designed and released a special prayer bracelet which fans can buy for $5.00, all the proceeds of which will go directly to Japan relief efforts. Other stars have tweeted their support and sympathies for the Japanese people such as Glee star Lea Michele, country music star Taylor Swift, rapper P. Diddy, and pop stars Katy Perry and Justin Bieber.

For those who want to help Japan in anyway they can in the wake of this disaster, here are some organizations you can contact: 

THE RED CROSS. All Red Cross and Red Crescent Organizations around the world are on alert since the quake happened Friday and are ready to receive donations. In the United States, you can simply use your mobile phone to donate $10.00 by texting REDCROSS to 90999. You can also go online to donate. In the Philippines, you can also go online to donate of text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Army has been operating in Japan since 1895. As of the moment, they are only accepting financial contributions as in-kind donations are difficult to ship. For US residents, you can simply text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 in order to donate $10.00. You can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go online to donate. In the Philippines, you can donate to Salvation Army by calling (02) 524 0086/88, Fax: (2) 521 6912 or Email: saphl1@phl.salvationarmy.org 

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS. For 25 years, the IMC has a long history of responding to natural disasters in over 50 countries including the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, the 2005 Pakistan Quake and the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. For US residents, you can donate to IMC by texting MED to 80888 from your mobile phone. You can also go to the IMC website to donate.

SHELTERBOX. The UK-based aid organization specializes in providing portable housing units in times of natural disasters. It is also sending a Shelterbox Response Team to Japan to assist in sheltering survivors. To donate to Shelterbox, visit their website.

For Filipinos who are worried for their loved-ones in Japan, the Department of Foreign Affairs is sending a consular team there to assess and assist in the condition of OFWs. For a list DFA Emergency Numbers that you contact for information on Filipino in Japan, visit this link. News agency GMA News has also set up a Person Finder Service for those looking for missing persons.