Responding to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan
earlier this month, Jewish groups announced on Thursday that they have raised at
least $2 million dollars in aid.
The Jewish Federations of North America
(JFNA), a network of Jewish fund-raising organizations, said it raised almost
one million dollars over the past few weeks.
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“By allocating our first
contribution to the JDC, Jewish Federations can be sure their funds will be put
to use quickly and effectively, benefiting those most in need,” said Fred
Zimmerman, chair of JFNA’s Emergency Committee. “We are overwhelmed by the
generosity of the Jewish community, and continue to evaluate the best
applications for federation donations as the situation
evolves.”
According to JFNA, roughly $185,000 was raised online by the
umbrella group, while individual federations – including the Jewish United
Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the UJA-Federation of New York
and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and others – raised a total of
$685,000.
Meanwhile, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, an
aid group working in 70 countries, which is partly funded by JFNA, said it
independently raised at least $1.2 million by last week, a spokesman
said.
For weeks JDC has been working with the Jewish community of Tokyo
and JEN, a Japanese NGO, providing relief to the residents in the Tohuko region,
which was worst hit by the tragedy.
“JDC’s past experience responding to
earthquakes and tsunamis has taught us that the kind of unparalleled medical
treatment we’ll help bring through the IDF Field Hospital is vital to the
recovery of the Japanese people,” said JDC CEO Steven Schwager. “Even as we
quickly provide these services during the emergency phase of our response, JDC
is monitoring needs and assessing projects to help improve local lives in the
longer-term.”
Earlier this week, Israel became one of the first nations
directly involved in delivering aid to the tsunami-battered region of
north-eastern Japan.
Its delegation of 50 medical staff volunteers
brought tons of supplies, and created a much-needed medical center in the Miyagi
prefecture, where it is currently treating hundreds of needy locals.