The Salvation Army Canada allocating $75,000 to the Earthquake Relief Effort in Japan

As The Salvation Army in Japan continues its response to the earthquake that devastated areas of the country on March 10th, The Salvation Army in Canada has allocated the sum of $75,000 to support the ongoing relief effort.

The most damaged city is Sendai, about 400 kilometres away from Tokyo. Commissioner Makoto Yoshida, leader of The Salvation Army’s Japan Territory, was at territorial headquarters in Tokyo and reports: ‘Our building swayed tremendously. It was hard for us to keep standing.’  He adds: ‘We are sending a team to Sendai tonight [11 March] and tomorrow we will start providing the basic necessities as well as assessing the level of damage so we can decide what else we can do.’

Public transport in Tokyo stopped because of the earthquake, leaving many commuters unable to leave work. Commissioner Yoshida says: ‘We opened our hall on the ground floor of territorial headquarters to those who could not go home. We served them with hot drinks and packed meals.’

The Salvation Army began its work in Japan in 1885. With 172 officers/pastors and 3,000 members it serves the country through 81 ministry units including churches, social-service institutions and two hospitals.

Donations to the 2011 Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund can be made at  www.SalvationArmy.ca/japan , by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769), or via mail to The Salvation Army, 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON M4H 1P4.  Donors can also make a $10 donation by texting “QUAKE” to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada.