In keeping with the values of Tikkun Olam, World Jewish Relief (WJR), in coordination with the full range of Britain’s Jewish community, has launched an urgent appeal calling for British Jewry’s support as Japan faces a growing humanitarian crisis. The charity plays a critical role in leading the community’s humanitarian response to global catastrophes. More than five million homes are without power, water, or heat and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. The scale of need is almost incomprehensible with initial reports estimating that thousands of people have died in the disaster, with many more missing and injured.

Japan has probably the most effective and well organized earthquake response capabilities in the world. Their resilience at a time of such disaster is quite remarkable and the Japanese authorities are leading the response to the earthquake.

WJR’s support will seek to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation and recovery and potential longer term rebuilding as deemed appropriate by partner agencies.

World Jewish Relief Chief Executive, Paul Anticoni said, “We have all been moved by the appalling scenes of destruction and devastation. WJR is in a unique position to lead British Jewry’s response to the disaster by supporting the Japanese recovery effort on the ground, as well as responding to meet immediate and longer term needs. We are currently liaising with Japanese agencies and are investigating the most appropriate means of providing immediate support. Additionally, as the tsunami has had an impact across the Pacific we are assessing where else our assistance may be required. As ever, we are enormously grateful for the support of all our donors, many of whom have already responded generously.”

To donate to WJR’s Japan Tsunami Appeal go wjr.org.uk/japan

Asian Jewish Life and eJewish Philanthropy are partnering together, leveraging our global contacts, to bring first-hand information on how the Jewish/Israeli world is responding on the ground in the aftermath of the Japanese quake. For more, see Japanese earthquake updates.