Secular Charities Helping Japan Relief Effort

Millions of people remain in desperate need of food, water, shelter, and other aid in the wake of Japan’s recent natural disasters and the humanitarian crisis that has followed. To assist in the recovery effort, secular and humanist charities have set up web pages where people can directly contribute to relief organizations working in Japan. 

Here are some suggested ways you can help:

Humanist Charities, which has been in contact with American Humanist Association members and other freethought groups in Japan, has established a Japan Earthquake Fund here.

The Center for Inquiry’s SHARE program (Skeptics and Humanists Aid and Relief Effort) has set up this site for people to donate directly to Doctors Without Borders, a secular organization providing vital medical care.  

SCA Advisory Board member Richard Dawkins is asking people to donate at Non-Believers Giving Aid, where 100 percent of contributions will be forwarded to the (also secular) International Red Cross.

Foundation Beyond Belief has set up a relief fund for Japan here.

American Atheists suggest the following groups as well:

GlobalGiving is a secular organization that helps connect people with their causes and acts as the middle man without the fees normally associated with middle men. You can donate online or text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10.

International Medical Corps is a non-sectarian organization dedicated to saving lives by bringing health care training, relief and development into areas that need it. You can donate online.

For the animal lovers among us, the American Humane Society is sending personnel over to help rescue pets and animals hurt or separated in the disaster. You can donate to them to help fund those rescue efforts online.

With people like Glenn Beck attributing Japan’s earthquake and tsunami to the will of God (rather than geology) it’s a good time for nontheists to remind ourselves that the only beings with a true capacity to change the world – for good or ill – are our fellow humans.

With that in mind, please take a moment to consider donating to one of the above charities.