SAN FRANCISCO, CA., March 15, 2011 -- The Japanese
American Citizens League (JACL) today announced that it has joined with
Direct Relief International in an effort to support relief and recovery
efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami.
The JACL, founded in 1929, is the oldest and largest Asian American
civil rights organization in the United States and has a chapter in
Japan. Direct Relief International, established in 1948, is a privately
funded humanitarian organization with decades-long experience in
emergency response and humanitarian health assistance worldwide. The
organizations joined together in the face of this huge crisis in Japan
to ensure that contributions to assist Japan are used in the most
productive and efficient manner possible. 100% of funds donated to the
Japan Relief and Recovery Fund, which will be managed by Direct Relief
International, will be dedicated exclusively to relief and recovery
efforts in Japan.
Floyd Mori, National Executive Director of the JACL, said: "The JACL has
formed this partnership with Direct Relief International because of the
large number of inquiries of concerned members, partners, and friends
who are anxious to help in a meaningful way and who want to join with
the JACL in doing so. We thank all those who have already contributed
and encourage others to join the JACL and Direct Relief in this
worthwhile effort."
"Direct Relief's long experience in emergency response and efficient,
transparent use of donated funds and JACL's extensive network both
within the United States and in Japan, will ensure that resources made
available for this crisis are well managed, well spent, and used in the
most productive manner possible," said Direct Relief CEO and President
Thomas Tighe.
Direct Relief's Director of International Programs and Emergency
Response, Brett Williams, is traveling to Japan this week. Williams has
led the organization's extensive assistance to Haiti, where Direct
Relief has been the largest provider of medical material and aid (800
tons worth $60 million) since the Haiti quake in January 2010. Similar
aid is expected for Japan.
Mori and Tighe issued the following joint statement: "This is a massive,
complex emergency in Japan that we recognize is beyond the capacity of
any one organization to address fully so we believe this collaboration
makes great sense, and we encourage other people, businesses, and
organizations to join together to support people in Japan at this most
difficult time."
Anyone wishing to contribute in this manner may visit the JACL website
at
www.jacl.org and click on the link provided.
About Japanese American Citizens League
Founded in 1929, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is the
oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization concerned
with issues of education, public policy and leadership development. As a
nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, the JACL promotes public awareness
about the history and achievements of Asian American & Pacific Islanders
(AAPI), identifies and trains youth for leadership and service, and
pursues public policy issues that affect the AAPI community. The JACL
headquarters is located in San Francisco with additional offices in
Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
