The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington expresses our deepest condolences to the people and communities affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake (Jan. 1, 2024) and the Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple fires (Dec. 31 and Jan. 2). Our hearts go out to our friends, colleagues, members, and affected individuals and communities.

Please consider supporting some of the following organizations who are sending relief efforts to the affected communities. We have listed some organizations and copied a description of their relief efforts below. Donations to the following organizations can be made in English and/or Japanese.

Seattle Betsuin Arson Restoration Fund

“At 10:00 pm on December 31, 2023, an intruder broke into the temple and sought refuge in the basement. Shortly after, the individual committed arson, resulting in considerable fire and water damage to the basement area. The smoke and water damage extended throughout the entire temple, prompting its closure to all. Efforts are underway to assess the costs of repairing the damage caused. Fortunately, no one was injured. The Hondo (main hall) and Nokotsudo (columbarium) managed to be unscathed from the fire; however, both have not yet been assessed and we fear they are heavily damaged by smoke and moisture. 

In light of this unfortunate situation, we see an opportunity for renewal, rebuilding, and reaffirming our mission to share the message of the Buddha. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the community for the outpouring of support. “

Organizations Providing Relief Aid for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in Japan

Akai Hane / 赤い羽根

“We carry out the furtherance business for disaster volunteer activity as “disaster volunteer, NPO activity support donation” (borasapo, 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake) to support person suffered from by “2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake” in Central Community Chest of Japan. We will support activities such as volunteer group, NPO performing contribution from all of you as financial funds in cooperation with disaster volunteer centers of stricken area.”

「中央共同募金会では、「令和6年能登半島地震」により被災された方を支えるため、災害ボランティア活動に対する助成事業を、「災害ボランティア・NPO活動サポート募金（ボラサポ・令和6年能登半島地震）」として実施します。皆さまからのご寄付を原資として、被災地の災害ボランティアセンター等と連携して行う、ボランティア団体・NPO等の活動を支援いたします。」

Civic Force

“Civic Force began its response immediately after the disaster in the affected areas are working as ARROWS（Airborne Rescue & Relief Operations With Search） member.”

「Civic Forceは被災地での支援活動を行っています。ご支援をお願いします。」

Japanese Red Cross Society / 日本赤十学社

“The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) began its response immediately after the disaster, and its chapters in the affected areas are working with Red Cross hospitals and Red Cross Blood Centers to assess the extent of the damage.”

「日本赤十字社では、令和６年能登半島地震災害による義援金を受け付けております。
　皆さま方からお寄せいただきました義援金は、被災地の方々の生活を支援するため、被災都道府県が設置する義援金配分委員会へ全額をお送りします。
　また、義援金の募集については、被災都道府県の判断によるものであり、日本赤十字社はその判断に基づき、受付を実施しています。」

Nippon Foundation / 日本財団

“A special fund has been established to provide emergency relief in the event of large-scale damage from a major disaster like an earthquake striking directly below a large urban center or in the Nankai Trough off Japan’s Pacific coast.”

「日本財団では、被災した方々への緊急支援、家屋の復旧支援、災害NPOの活動支援など、いま必要とされる支援を迅速に進めてまいります。

お預かりしたご寄付は、日本財団で間接経費を取ることなく、全額を災害支援のために活用いたします。皆さまのご協力をお願いいたします。
（被害状況及び支援状況により、皆さまからお預かりしたご寄付のすべてを活用できない場合、今後発生する災害において、速やかに被災地で支援活動を行う際の支援金として活用させていただきます。）」

Peace Winds America

“On the evening of January 1, Peace Winds Japan dispatched an eight-person team from its ARROWS disaster response team. The team includes doctors and nurses who specialize in emergency medicine and search-and-rescue work, and they are traveling by land from their Hiroshima headquarters. They will assess the needs on the ground and be joined on January 2 by a second team traveling with Peace Winds search-and-rescue helicopters. Depending on the needs on the ground, they will prepare to conduct search and rescue in collapsed buildings, including with their dog teams; provide emergency medical care; and set up a platform to distribute emergency supplies.”

Second Harvest / セカンドハーベストジャパン

“Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) plans to leave for the disaster-stricken areas on Jan. 5 (Fri) to support.
At a community center in Nanao-city, Ishikawa Prefecture, we will be collaborating with local organizations and disaster relief organizations including “Gorilla”, to provide food and hot-meals by utilizing bottled water, cut-vegetables, rice, and other foods transported from 2HJ’s warehouse in Saitama Prefecture.

2HJ will also conduct surveys to understand critical local needs. In addition to emergency supports, we plan to build a support structure to meet further needs in collaboration with various stakeholders including food companies with which 2HJ has trusted partnerships.”

「カンドハーベスト・ジャパンは被災地支援のために、1/5（金）現地に向けて出発します。

石川県七尾市所有のコミュニティセンターを拠点に、当団体八潮倉庫（埼玉県）より運搬する、水、カット野菜、アルファ米他緊急食を活用し、災害支援団体Gorillaはじめ地元団体と連携の上、食品の提供や炊き出しを実施します。
また、現地ニーズのヒヤリング調査も実施します。今後、パートナーシップを結ぶ食品企業をはじめとする各ステークホルダーと協働で、緊急支援に加え、その後も継続的に必要とされる支援体制を構築していく予定です。」

Yahoo!基金

「皆さまからのご寄付はYahoo!基金を通じて、クレジットカード会社の手数料等（消費税含む）を除き全て本災害の緊急救援活動、被災地復旧支援として被災者や被災地のために活用させていただきます。」