The severe blow from nature that the Japanese people were struck with on Friday, March 11 took the lives of over ten  thousand  people and forever altered the lives and emotional well being of hundreds of thousands more. The need to address the multifaceted nature and ongoing complexity of Japan's disaster is evident with each days news updates. Within minutes after the 9.0 earthquake north east Japan was engulfed by a tsunami that has done more damage then the initial earthquake. This is then quickly followed by news of possible meltdowns from at least one damaged nuclear power plant. Today's reports speak of over half a million now homeless, shortages (and need for) water, food and blankets in the still harsh winter conditions. Emotional needs will be an important issue for many as new discoveries of deceased are being made.

Along with the needs for food, shelter and emotional support another area of concern are the breakdown of the cooling systems in  three of Japan's nuclear reactors. Aside from aftershocks, the threat of more tsunamis the threat and effects of more meltdowns remain an ongoing threat. The questionable placing of nuclear power plants over fault lines is reiterated in the U.S. with the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power plant located directly on a fault line on the shores of the Pacific in central California.

As the tragic discoveries of bodies along the beaches of Japan continue and ongoing searches by survivors for their loved ones continue the Japanese people will continue to need our love and support.

Several aid organizations are already there and active in the relief effort. Here is a list of several of these organizations: International Medical Corps www.imc-la.com, Red Cross redcross.org, Oxfam oxfam.org, Americares americares.org, Doctors Without Borders doctorswithoutbordrs.org