Online community opens up to help earthquake victims

Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter are asking users to donate to support victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Apple has programmed options into its iTunes software that allow users to register to donate between $5 and $200 to the American Red Cross.

On the other hand, the Red Cross has also launched a campaign on Facebook to call on people and organizations to help the victims of the earthquake disaster in Japan. The initial goal is to raise $25,000 to help alleviate the damage suffered by the Japanese people.

President of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, Tadateru Konoe (in black) walks amid the ruins in Otsuchi - Photo: Reuters

However, the amount raised has skyrocketed unexpectedly. At 5:30 a.m. GMT, the amount raised by 1,300 donors has surpassed $50,000, bringing the fundraising goal to $75,000.

A Facebook account named Amina Naqvi commented: “Japan has contributed a lot to the world's technological development in the past. Now it is time to pay back. Kind-hearted people, please come and help Japan."

A text message donation service was also set up by the Red Cross. During the earthquake in Haiti last year, the Red Cross raised $20 million for the victims using this method.

Meanwhile, Twitter urged: “It is part of our duty to help in whatever way we can, no matter how big or small. So let's find a way to help the victims of the earthquake.”

Accordingly, Twitter continuously updates information every second with instructions for people on how and where to receive donations. At the same time, Twitter also offers many different ways to donate to the victims in Japan.

In addition, the largest social network game company today, Zynga, has established a Japanese Children's Fund after the earthquake and tsunami. The company hopes to raise $2 million.

Zynga asks players to donate money through virtual transactions in games like CityVille, FrontierVille, FarmVille and others. All proceeds from buying sweet potatoes in CityVille, radishes in FarmVille or Kobe beef in FrontierVille will go to help children in the Pacific region after the Pacific earthquake and tsunami.

The Google page also guides users to find donation points in the area as well as provides other necessary information.

As of 5:30 a.m. GMT, Google's people search service had helped nearly 140,000 profiles for people looking for information about friends and family.

Some websites calling for aid for earthquake and tsunami victims:

blog.twitter.jp/2011/03/blog-post_12.html (Guide to donating on Twitter)
http://www.causes.com/campaigns/154523 (Thông tin quyên góp của Hội Chữ thập đỏ)
www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html (Google Crisis Response Page)
http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com (Trang tìm người của Google)

According to TNO