As news from Japan continues to dominate our news scene, most of us yearn for a way to help the innocent victims of the tragic Japanese earthquake that resulted in a fatal tsunami, enumerable gas fires and a threatening nuclear disaster. However, as we are thousands of miles away and most of us are safe and sheltered from any impending aftershocks, alleviating the situation seems almost impossible. Here are some organizations that are currently accepting donations to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake:

International Medical Corps – Relief teams provide primary and secondary health care, food and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, mental health care and skills to rehab to the areas hardest hit; focused on communities that have not yet been reached in an attempt to fill the gaps that the Japanese government has not been able to fill yet; To Donate: Visit internationalmedicalcorps.org or text MED to 80888 to donate $10 from your phone.

Salvation Army - Has deployed three teams to assist victims that have been evacutated from disaster zones; To Donate: Visit salvationarmyusa.org or text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to donate $10 from your phone.

Lions Club International – Has pledged a donation of $5 million in grant funds for immediate relief in Japan; monitoring the impact in other Pacific Ocean nations; To Donate: Visit lionsclub.org or email donations@lionsclub.org

Other organizations standing by with emergency teams, staff and supplies include: International Rescue Committee, Peace Winds Japan, Convoy of Hope, AmeriCares, AMURT, Islamic Relief USA and World Vision. Visit any of these organizations websites or visit networkforgood.org to donate.

Oftentimes, it takes a disaster or this magnitude for the very best of humanity to shine through. If you are able, we highly recommend making any contribution to any of these altruistic organizations.