Pagans Standing By Japan: How You Can Help

On Friday, as I watched the news and saw the damage caused by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami that swept the Pacific, I began to reach out to Pagan charities and get as much information as possible on the best way to help the Japanese people rescue, heal and restore. I wish I could claim I was overwhelmed with responses.

Peter Dybing has been reaching out to his contacts to find the best way for folks to effectively aid in the disaster relief. He’s posted his recommendations on his blog. Here is his primary suggestion, and he’s asking folks to match his $54 contribution:

My primary suggestion for donations is ‘Doctors without Boarders. This organization now has two teams on the ground in Japan setting up medical treatment centers. While this is a well-known NGO, I am recommending them due to their level of accomplishment in Haiti saving lives. Additionally, when this organization raised enough funds for its Haiti response it stopped accepting donations. It is important to recognize that organizations have a logistical limit as to how much they can accomplish. By suspending fundraising this organization demonstrated a commitment to spend funds wisely and not just take the opportunity to raise unlimited cash as other large NGO’s did. With this in mind, a Pagan Community donation Page has been set up to enable donations to this organization.

The Delaware Valley Pagan Network is also raising donations for disaster relief.

Circle Sanctuary is facilitating a worldwide healing ritual tonight for Japan:

Join Shibaten, Selena, & others in a worldwide spiritual healing
circle for Japan, those there, and those aiding in disaster rescue &
relief.

At 7 pm CDT on Sunday, which is 9 am Tokyo time on Monday, we will be
sending prayers of healing. Shibaten, a Japanese Pagan who is in
Japan, will be playing healing music with his digideridoo. Selena
Fox, an American Pagan who is in Wisconsin, USA, will be sounding a
sacred singing bowl from Japan that she has used in Pagan and
interfaith rituals around the world for more than 20 years. Pagans of
many paths as well as those of other religions from many places will
be joining in.

I’ll be contributing what I can and hope you will too. If you know of other ways to show support and solidarity with the Japanese people and the peoples of the Pacific Rim as they respond to this disaster please let us know in the comments.