For more information, check out CNN's "Impact Your World" section.
The world is mobilizing to help victims of Friday's 8.9-magnitude earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami on Japan.
The U.S. State Department is urging U.S. citizens to contact friends and family as soon as possible. They can also e-mail the State Department at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Those seeking information on security in or travel to Japan can call 1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444.
Google also is assisting in helping victims touch base with friends and loved ones. Its People Finder, which was tracking almost 153,000 records as of Monday morning, allows users to look for victims or post information about people. It works in five languages.
As myriad nations offer monetary aid, condolences and rescue teams, many people around the world are seeking ways to ease the burden on the Japanese government and people.
The humanitarian group World Vision is rushing personnel into the affected areas and providing food, water, medical supplies and shelter for victims.
It also plans to establish one or more “child-friendly spaces” for kids “affected by disasters to resume normal childhood activities and experience structure and security that are often lost following emergency situations."
Follow World Vision’s blog for updates, and visit its website or text “4japan” to 20222 to send a $10 donation to the group. It will show up on your next mobile phone bill.
The American Red Cross sent a disaster expert from Washington to Japan on Monday and the Japanese Red Cross has dispatched dozens of response teams. If you'd like to donate to the Red Cross efforts, text "redcross" to 90999, and you can make a $10 donation to the organization.
You can also keep up with Red Cross updates by following its Twitter feed and Facebook updates.
The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895, sent a team to Sendai to assess damages and hopes to provide food, water and other necessities. In Tokyo, the Salvation Army opened its main building to house and feed commuters who were unable to reach their homes.
The aid organization is issuing updates via its blog, its Twitter feed and Facebook page. It also is accepting donations via text message. Those interested in contributing $10 to the group can text "japan" or "quake" to 80888.
AmeriCares, which is also accepting donations, said it is mobilizing resources and sending an emergency response manager to the region.
Save the Children is sending an emergency team to assist its staff in Japan. Donations to the group's Children's Emergency Fund will help preserve the welfare of young ones, who "are always the most vulnerable in a disaster," Eiichi Sadamatsu in central Tokyo said in a statement.
Globalgiving.com, another aid organization that allows donors to select the causes they want to support – including climate change, economic development, human rights and disaster relief – has established a Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. GlobalGiving will disburse funds to organizations providing aid and relief to victims.
Among those organizations are Save the Children and the International Medical Corps. The Corps, which focuses on "health care training and relief and development programs," is coordinating with local authorities and partners to determine the most pressing needs. It also is providing technical expertise and assisting with logistics.
To contribute to the Corps' efforts, visit its website or text "med" to 80888 to send the group a $10 donation.
And don't forget the "other" victims of the temblor and tsunami. The American Humane Association, which has been rescuing animals in disasters since 1916, has set up a relief fund for rescuing animals. Donations help provide shelter and care.
You can keep up with American Humane Association developments on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information, please read CNNMoney's story explaining how donors should watch the crisis unfold before sending contributions. The article also provides tips on what to give, where to give and how to avoid scams.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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I pray for all those and their families that were affected by this tragic event. I pray for their health for food to feed the hungry shelter for the homeless and for everyone to find their lost loved ones.
I wish I could go over there help with anything from cleaning up to helping rescue to rebuilding, god bless everyone over htere
God love,s all of you ,help is on the way and everything is going to be ok.
I live in Vermont and have lots of room for a family/families, whom would I contact to offer lodging?
I made this same offer yesterday. I do not see my post though. I would like to know the same thing.
I put out a post yesterday. Where did it go?
A lot of people seem to feel the need to physically participate. This is an overwhelming disaster and compassionate feeling run high. I don’t think they want or can accommodate any people coming in, that would further strain their very limited resources. The people they want are specialists in disaster recovery and they are already there or on the way. Contributions to trusted charitable organization that are set up to best direct the funds where they can be most useful.
100% of donations made to Lutheran Disaster Relief through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America go directly to people in need. NO administrative costs are taken from what you donate. 100% goes directly where it's needed. To donate now, contact https://community.elca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=631
Please help if you can. People are dying.
i am a college student in florida and i really want to help.... i dont have money to give but ill do other things...
Cnn, what are you doing with the comments that are removed from this site, are they accessable? Are you afraid THE PEOPLE will find out the truth? WE DESERVE THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT!!!!!!!!
I realize that the banks are not going to disclose this fact, but people should know that 1% – 4% of each and every charitable donation made online, because it is made with a credit card, goes to the VISA/Mastercard consortium as their transaction fee – not to the people that the donors thought they were helping. There should be a law that this fact be disclosed to charitable donors.
I can't wait for the local sushi places to hold a Red Cross Fundraiser. All the vegetarian Sushi you can eat with the money going to a good cause. What could be better?
i pray that all those who are affected will get help soon...the devestation caused is unbeleivable,it makes me think twice about life,at how it could change within a blink of the eye...GOD save us
i would like to know how i can get there and help these people in need i would do anything to help the people in need and ity doesnt matter what is praise the lord of the who survived and my those who rest in peace .someone let me no please..by email legalizeournation@yahoo.com
I have no mmoney to send, our to get a plan ticket, but I am a Builder, I use green to build with, all the junk laying around I see homes, I can build wood fired ovens, that one fire, can cook for hours and hours, if there is away for me to get there, I could help in more way them any money I could send.
please help me get there
thank you for your help and anything, that you may do to help me help them.
Randy J, Anderson
olddoolebugger@yahoo.com
I all so have 25 years in seismic explorations