Red Cross of Santa Monica: Together, we can save a life

The American Red Cross is one of the most nationally recognized humanitarian organizations lead by volunteers. They provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prepare for and respond to them as well. The Red Cross depends on volunteers who outnumber their employees 36 to 1.

The Santa Monica Red Cross Chapter is focused on being a humanitarian chapter doing good for people in the community. They set the standard for responding to human suffering, providing relief to disaster victims, and helping people prepare for emergencies.

American Red Cross Services

From emergency services, to health and safety services to youth services, the American Red Cross in Santa Monica has been in business since 1917.

Their emergency services include preparedness for community, preparedness programs for businesses, disaster response, training, service to military families and veterans, and war victims tracing.

The Red Cross of Santa Monica also provides education for CPR, swimming and lifeguard training, and childcare classes. They also provide health services to the community including flu clinics, first aid stations, and blood pressure screenings.

Give Back to Your Local Red Cross

Become a part of the American Red Cross by joining their disaster relief team, their office squad, youth volunteer program, or become a CPR/First Aid Instructor. See the Red Cross of Santa Monica website to apply for a volunteer opportunity today.

There are also many ways for you to give back to the Red Cross with monetary donations and donating blood. Visit the Red Cross donation page to find out how to donate your money and find a clinic for you to donate blood. Donating blood can save a life.

Humans4Humans: Humans Helping Humans Make the World More Humane

Humans4Humans is a non profit organization designed to raise money for international and national disaster relief. In the past they have donated a lot of money to the tragedies in Haiti and Chile and have also partnered with Doctors without Borders.

They work to directly assist in funding for humanitarian groups bringing relief to communities in dire situations who need the help. Instead of starting yet another humanitarian group, Humans4Humans financially assists groups that are already established hoping that this brings them more resources leading to more solutions and sustainable results.

Helping Haiti and Chile

After the earthquakes that devastated Haiti and Chile a few years back, Humans4Humans partnered with Doctors without Borders to bring a lot of beneficial relief to the people living in Haiti and Chile at that time.

Since Humans4Humans is a 100% non-for-profit organization, all of the funds they raised directly went to the disasters after the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. Because of organizations like Humans4Humans, organizations like Doctors without Borders were able to give concentrated relief and make a big impact.

Donate to Humans4Humans

If you have questions you can contact them on the Humans4Humans website. They are located it 2934 1/2 Beverly Glen Circle Po Box 455,  Los Angeles, CA 90077-1724.

Humans4Humans relies solely on donations to give to other organizations that are able to make an impact. You can donate online to Humans4Humans today.

Operation USA: Give and It Gets There

Operation USA works to alleviate disasters, disease, and poverty. Their plan includes using private funds to relieve, rebuild and aid in development in developing countries that need the funding the most. From there, they fund grassroots organizations that promote sustainable development, sustainable income generating programs, education and health services, human rights, and leadership.

Their programs include development, disaster response, education, health, and material aid that specifically targets women and children. Sustainable development is important because the impact that an organization makes has to be long-term and able to be upheld by citizens. Organizations like Operation USA also target women and children because they are the at-risk, vulnerable demographic.

The Impact of Natural Disasters on Women and Children

Women and children are unfortunately affected by natural disasters more than men. Due to inequality and oppression, developing societies do not share the resources equally. Disproportionately, women and children are the most susceptible to violence, poverty, war, and natural disasters without a voice to speak out against the injustices.

Give and It Gets There

Operation USA prides itself on it’s policy of 96% of funds going straight to where it is needed. Operation USA delivers over $350 million for relief and development projects.

Right now, after the devastation in Japan, Operation USA has set up a texting program. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 the relief efforts in Japan.

You can donate to Operation USA through money and miles.

To get in contact with Operation USA, call 310.838.3455 or email them at info@opusa.org. They are located on 3617 Hayden Avenue, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

Relief International: Saving Lives, Sustaining Livelihoods

In times of crisis, having help to relieve the most dire situations is important. In the midst of the 8.9-magnitude Japan earthquake and tsunami, Give2Network thought it would be appropriate to focus on international relief efforts with ways for you to give back to people who need it the most.

Dedicated to reducing human suffering, Relief International provides emergency relief, rehabilitation, development assistance and program services to vulnerable communities worldwide. They remain unassociated with political groups in order to narrow their focus on the struggling people (mostly women and children) in unfortunate situations. On top of serving the needs of victims of natural disasters, civil conflicts, and poverty, Relief International provides sustainable programs to empower communities and equality.

From Haiti in 2010 to Japan in 2011

In Haiti, 80% of the population lives under $2 a day. In 2010, a 7-magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince shaking up an entire country, taking 230,000 lives, and leaving 1.3 million people displaced. Relief International has a handful of programs to help Haiti in the aftermath of this horrible disaster in a poor  country with little regulations on earthquake-proof buildings.

With the most recent natural disaster to strike humanity, Relief International was instantaneously available to provide relief in Japan. The 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami is leaving hundreds of thousands stranded and tens of thousands dead. Relief International has staff on the ground in Tokyo and brought together a crew of an Emergency Response Team to monitor the situation and respond.

See more examples of Relief International in the news.

Get Involved with Relief International

Relief International is usually looking for interns and volunteers to provide emergency relief to people worldwide. See Relief International’s current internship and volunteer opportunities.

A great way to support thousands of people globally is to donate to Relief International. You can choose the amount that you wish to donate and choose where exactly you would like your money to go towards: Global (Where Needed Most), Pakistan, Darfur (Sudan), Haiti, and Japan are the current areas that are of focus currently.

You can also donate by phone at 310.478.1200 or 800.573.3332; donate by mail at Relief International, 5455 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1280, Los Angeles, CA 90036 USA. You can specify which program you would like to donate to with Attn: (Program Name).

Donate to Japan in the Midst of a Disaster

Here at Give2Network we are deeply saddened by the sudden disaster to hit Japan. An 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck 230 miles off the coast of Sendai provoking massive 33 foot waves to engulf the coast drowning landmarks like Tokyo Disney and leading Japan to call a nuclear emergency in Fukushima. The Twitter-sphere has taken action with trends like #prayforjapan and Text REDCROSS. Seven out of ten trends on Twitter revolve around the disaster that struck Japan.

How to Give Back to Japan

There are a handful of ways to give back to Japan in their time of need:

By texting Red Cross to 90999 you will automatically donate $10 to help Japan. You can also make a donation to Japan on globalgiving.org.

Finally, take a look at Medicines sans Frontiers (Doctors without Borders). They generally will have something to assist the Japanese people relatively quickly.