Image "Slider" to view satellite before and after shots of Japan's damage

This is an absolutely fantastic link, sent by Allan Johani to easily and visually show the earthquake / tsunami's damage.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

It allows you to just slide your mouse over the overhead pictures of the affected areas before and after.

Trust me - it's a cool tool, but more importantly, it shows you how much the people are suffering.

Help this country get back on its feet, folks - research charities that are having the fastest/most benefit and donate.

  Japan Damage before and After

Try this - ship this Walmart care package to the Transit Authority in Sendai

Sendai is one of the closest cities to the center of the quake.  It's transport authority has plenty of buses that can be used to transport relief goods directly to the scene.

http://www.kotsu.city.sendai.jp/english/inquiry/index.html

I don't know any better place to start - but shipping care packages from a Japan-based Walmart to this location seems like the fastest way ordinary people can get a tent and water to those in need.

Ship to:

Sendai City Transportation Bureau
1-4-15 Kimachi-dori, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi, Japan 980-0801
TEL 022-224-5111

I put together a quick care-package from Walmart and added it to my cart.  We'll see if I can actually ship it, and if it's received.

for $169 - it includes:

• Tent - sleeps 5
• water purifier
• an area-effect lamp for the tent
• a headlamp-style flashlight to allow people to work

quick relief package from walmart

Looks like Salvation army is taking a lead on the relief efforts

Their link has multiple support options, but are still not accepting gifts-in-kind:

http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw_gstate_3.nsf

1st Idea - Use Walmart to aid in delivering the basic survival needs

According to this link:  http://www.chacha.com/question/how-many-stores-does-walmart-have-in-japan

There are about 400 walmart stores in Japan, all of which have the necessary survival basics (tents, water, lamps, first aid, etc)

Walmart has a proven local-delivery logistics in place, and doesn't have to get government approval to delivery the goods unlike the assisting countries' military.

I'd like to invite comments and directions on getting money to the local walmart stores to delivery a survival goods package as close to the disaster site(s) as possible.

Google's Disaster People Finder for Japan Earthquake

An excellent tool from Google for people to get in contact with each other throughout the initial crisis time:

Google's Person finder:  http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/

This looks good...

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/

Help Japan Earthquake Victims - Start Here

Hello Everyone,

I was amazed at the technology of people reporting the victims of this earthquake on the scene.  Think of the difference between now and the tsunami in Indonesia - I watched live coverage via smartphone apps of people pointing out where others need rescued.

I started this blog as the fastest way to get help to the area.  (i do this kind of stuff for my job)

If you or anyone you know would like to donate time, money or any other help to the victims, just follow this blog, write a little post about any way you'd like to help, or your general comments, and I'll work on getting email addresses and instructions on how to get you in touch with the right charities.

Thanks in advance for any help you eventually give.  More instructions ASAP...