We have all seen the reporting from Japan.  The cars and buildings piled up like toys.  Freighters left in the middle of cities by the Tsunami.  People who have lost everything lined up and waiting for assistance or news of missing family and friends.  In the town of Minamisanriku over 9500 people are missing from the population of 17,000.  It’s heartbreaking to watch this catastrophe which seems to just be getting worse by the hour.

Japan is a wealthy nation and has been very generous with assistance to the U.S.A  in the past.  Recently,  they donated over $1 Million in aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as $200,000 to the American Red Cross to help their efforts.  Takashi Endo, a private businessman also donated over a million dollars.  During the first Gulf War Japan gave $10 billion to the Coalition forces.  Their Constitution forbid them to send troops but that was changed after the invasion of Iraq when the government approved sending Japanese military for humanitarian and rebuilding purposes only.  Now Japan has been hit with what Prime Minister Naoto Kan says is his country’s worst crisis since World War 2.  They have lost a great deal in a short period of time and with the worsening situation at the  Fukushima Nuclear Plant they are overwhelmed.

Their most urgent needs right now are shelter, food, and water.  We are suggesting donations to these organizations.  But I want to bring attention to ShelterBox USA.  One ShelterBox container has a 10 person tent that can withstand high winds and heavy rain.  It also comes with a water filtration device and filters for 6 months, a stove, cooking utensils, tool kit, and blankets.  There is also a special package containing crayons, pens, coloring books and paper for kids who may have lost everything.  The contents vary for the climate of the affected area and what is most urgently needed.

ShelterBox relies entirely on donations.  Each box costs around $1000 to assemble.  So anything you can give will help.