Japan Earthquake Relief: Giving Wisely, Helping Effectively

Peter’s recommendations for donations can be found here.

Peter Dybing is First Officer of Covenant of the Goddess, is a National Incident team member with the US Forest Service and was on the ground helping folks shortly after the earthquake in Haiti last January. I’ve been in contact with him to help get a better idea of how to best show solidarity with the folks affected by the earthquake in Japan. He was kind enough to briefly share his thoughts on how to respond to this disaster:

As disaster strikes again let me take this opportunity to remind the Pagan community of the lessons we learned when Haiti was severely damaged over a year ago.

Pagans from around the US and the world focused their giving on a small NGO that had operations established in Haiti and were able to respond quickly with established infrastructure and save lives.  Dollars raised from our community went directly to the purchase of medical supplies.  This emphasis on direct giving to a small organization ensured that our giving was focused and effective.

As we all witness the destruction in Japan, it is important to not make rash decisions and provide funding to organizations with poor track records of delivering services and use of funds.  I am urging the community to be wise in their giving. Yes, commit yourself to an amount you are willing to give, set these funds aside, but wait until you or others identify an effective use for these funds.

Many of the large NGO’s that collected tens of millions for Haiti relief have yet to spend but a fraction of what they collected more than a year later.  Both myself and other members of the community are attempting to establish ties with small organizations providing services in Japan.  Hopefully our community will be able to identify groups who will directly serve the affected communities as they receive funding.

It was my privilege to witness funds raised by the Pagan community save many lives in Haiti, may we be as wise and effective as we respond to this current crisis.

In Service to the Goddess and all humanity,

Peter Dybing
National First Officer Covenant of the Goddess

As I hear back from Peter and other Pagan leaders on relief efforts and ways to show solidarity with Japan, particularly the Shinto community, I will post their advice and information here.