JAPAN RELIEF AND RECOVERY
The Georgetown University community has quickly mobilized to respond in a number of ways to the tri-fold disaster in Japan.
Japan Disaster Relief Committee
Meetings of the Japan Disaster Relief Committee are every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in the CSJ Conference Room. The Committee is made up of students, staff and faculty interested in providing support to disaster relief efforts.
Donations
If you would like to donate online, go to the online giving form. In the “Designation” field select "Other" and type in “Japan Relief."
All funds raised will be donated to two organizations that are currently on the ground in Japan – Caritas Japan and Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE). Caritas Japan is a Catholic-based organization and JCIE is focused on long term recovery.
For a list of other organizations that are providing Japanese disaster relief and their responses, go to http://philanthropy.com/article/Many-US-Charities-Waiting/126706/
Events and Other News
Letters and Prayers Project. J-NET has started a letters and prayer project where people can submit first-hand experiences, thoughts and prayers for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. The letters will be published online for people to view freely. If you’re interested in writing, submit your piece to gujapannetwork@gmail.com. All submissions will be anonymous unless you specify how you wish to be identified. To view the Letters and Prayers Website click here.
Artwork for Heartwork. Artwork for Heartwork is an organization focused on bringing smiles back to the children of Japan. Two of their board members, Sherry Cheah and Irene Chang, are Georgetown alums. They are collecting artwork made by children from around the world for the children of Japan. By bringing drawings and messages from children all over the world, they hope to ease the struggle for the young victims of the disaster in Japan. If you would like to donate artwork, contact Suzanne Tarlov at st84@georgetown.edu or see the instructions here.
International Relations Club and J-NET team up for Japan Disaster Relief. Save the date for the International Relations Club and J-NET's annual formal event, to be held this year in the Leavey Conference Center Ballroom on April 16, 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. The theme is 007, and the dress code is black tie optional. All proceeds will help support earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan. Whether or not you are an active member of the IRC or J-NET, all are invited to attend the formal to enjoy good company, great music, plenty of food, and some suave party favors to take home. Tickets will be sold on Red Square next week ($20) and the following week ($25).
1KCranes Project for Japan Relief. Sponsored by the Rotoract student organization and the Japan Disaster Relief Committee, the 1KCranes Project is to rally the Georgetown community to fold 1,000 cranes for Japan relief. The initiative is in response to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' challenge to donate $2 to Japan relief for every paper crane folded, and is based on a Japanese legend that purports that folding 1,000 paper origami cranes can make a person’s wish come true, and a “Senbazuru”, which refers to a thousand origami cranes held together by string, and has become a symbol for peace and hope. The cranes will be sent to Japan on behalf of Georgetown. Crane Day is on Tuesday, April 5th, when you'll see students, staff and faculty folding cranes all over campus. For more information contact: 1KCranesProjectGU@gmail.com
Updates to Ongoing Humanitarian Crises. On Wednesday, April 13th at 6:30 p.m., the GU chapter of the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) will be hosting a panel titled Updates to Ongoing Humanitarian Crises in McShain Lounge. The goal of the panel is to demonstrate humanitarian response in its various phases, and to encourage people to move beyond the "CNN Effect" by staying engaged in past crises and recognizing their prolonged and complex natures. Panelists representing organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, USAID, and Mercy Corps that are involved in various facets of post-disaster relief and recovery will discuss the status of recovery in Haiti, New Orleans and other locations,. All are invited to intend! To RSVP click here.
Qdoba Japan Relief Fundraiser. This Friday, April 8th, if you bring this flyer to Qdoba Mexican Grill at 3303 M St., NW, Qdoba will donate 20% of your purchase to Georgetown's Japan Disaster Relief fund. Sponsored by Rotaract Club of Georgetown University.
MSFS Mobilizes Through Website. Following the disaster in Japan, a group of students at Georgetown University's Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program have created a website to support the people of Japan. In addition to providing information on where you can donate and learn more about earthquake relief efforts, the website offers information on fundraising events hosted by MSFS students. A short survey on the website will track the total amount donated by the MSFS community. The website can be found here.
U.S. - Japan Research Institute Seminar: Disaster and Politics. This seminar attempts to explore questions such as: How well has the administration of Prime Minister Kan managed this twin crisis? What are the deficiencies of Japan's crisis management? What will be the long-term impact of the disaster on Japanese politics and its international relations? The seminar is on April 6th at 10:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. in the DuPont Hotel and is free and open to the public. Register online by visiting:
http://www.us-jpri.org/en/seminar_tanaka_0406.html
Law Center. The Law Center has posted useful information on their Law-Asia website.
Note. A number of fundraisers and educational opportunities are currently being planned. More information will be posted here as it becomes available. Please send all updates to st84@georgetown.edu. And thanks to all for the work you continue to do for Japan!
