[Elecraft] Aid to Japan

[Paul Saville]

My apologies in advance for an off-topic reply to an off-topic post.

Having been through a relatively minor disaster myself, I can report
that neither the Salvation Army nor the Red Cross provided a
particularly useful, if any, contribution to the emergency response
effort, although both began touting for donations within days of the
event. Granted they do provide valuable welfare assistance in
non-emergency times.

Here's my list of proven useful people & organizations for disaster
response:

1. Fire Dept, Medical personnel, Police & Military (including Urban
Search & Rescue teams from VK, Japan, China, Taiwan, UK, USA and maybe
elsewhere)

2. The utility workers who got the power & water supplies working (the
most undervalued group in my opinion)

3. Ad-hoc community groups who distributed hot food and drinkable water,
and helped by making a start with the damage cleanup.

4. Amateur Radio Emergency Communicators, and the hams who worked to
keep the local VHF/UHF repeaters operational.

The best way for hams to help is to increase your own preparedness for
providing emergency communications, and to contribute time, expertise
and/or donations to amateur radio emergency communications organizations.

73 Paul ZL3IN


On 16/03/11 01:23, AB8XA wrote:
> Barb and I ask those of you here to help Japan as you can.  We chose to do it through the Salvation Army. You may choose otherwise.
> 
> quote
> The Salvation Army has been at work in Japan since 1895, operating more than 80 centers there, including two hospitals and four children’s homes. We have nearly 200 officers, 3,000 members and nearly 1,000 employees already at work in the country. We are a part of Japan’s communities and dedicated to their recovery.
> end quote
> 
> You can donate online on this web page, using credit card or PayPal:
> 
> http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
> 
> Thanks!
> --
> Moe and Barb
> AB8XA and W8FCJ