Thousands of people are now confirmed dead after Thursday’s devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. Police expect the death toll to rapidly climb as bodies wash up on the shore.

As shocked bystanders across the globe and in neighboring countries, many of us feel helpless with the sight of the photographs and want to do what we can to help. There are many organizations working to relieve Japan’s citizens.

Here are some ways you can help the people of Japan from your own home:

1. Donate to IMC – International Medical Corps is mobilizing relief teams and supplies, as well as contacting partners in the area in order to deploy their most effective strategy. They are a group of medical professionals who provide vital health services with a focus on training in order to return devastated populations to self-sufficiency. You can donate online at www.internationalmedicalcorps.org.

2. Donate to Save the Children – Save the Children stands ready to meet the needs of children and families affected by these events. An international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan. You can donate to their efforts online at www.savethechildren.org.

3. Donate money, supplies or air miles to Operation USA – Los Angeles-based international relief agency OpUSA is preparing for their efforts in Japan, and are asking for monetary donations from individuals. They are also requesting air miles through United Airlines Charity Miles program. If your employer would like to get involved, corporate donations of bulk quantities of disaster-appropriate supplies are also needed. Find out the ways you can donate at www.opusa.org.

4. Text a donation to the Red Cross – The Red Cross has launched their relief efforts in Japan. You can donate online, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone.

5. Donate to Doctors Without Borders – Doctors Without Borders has two three-person teams in Japan attempting to get to the hardest hit areas by helicopter. Another 25 staff will respond once the situation has been assessed. You can find out how to donate by visiting their website at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
6. Donate to MercyCorps - Mercy Corps is working with its longtime partner, Peace Winds, to rush tents, food, water and other relief items to the disaster zone.

Here are some more ideas from our friends at HandsOn:

• Teach. The massive amount of media coverage around this disaster has brought it into everyone’s lives. Resources at generationOn can help children and young adults better understand what their role in disaster relief, even when the disaster is half way around the world, through lessons about philanthropy.
• Follow. HandsOn Network’s disaster response Twitter account that will be updated with information about how you can assist recovery efforts as it becomes available.
• Volunteer. Crisis Commons is seeking volunteers to help gather data and identify needs of local agencies and humanitarian aid organizations that can be addressed through collaborative software development

Thanks to Finger Candy Media for aggregating all these text opportunities in one place.

United States

• Text “JAPAN” or “TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- Save the Children Federation, Inc.
• Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10- American Red Cross
• Text “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to donate $10- Salvation Army
• Text “MED” to 80888 to donate $10- Assist International Medical Corps
• Text “SUPPORT” to 85944 to donate $10- ADRA Relief for Japan tsunami victims
• Text “MERCY” to 25283 to donate $10- Mercy Corps
• Text “4JAPAN” or “4TSUNAMI” to 20222 to donate $10- World Vision, Inc.
• Text “TSUNAMI” to 50555 to donate $10- Convoy for Hope
• Text “JAPAN” to 50555 to donate $10- GlobalGiving

Canada

• Text “ASIA” or “ASIE“ to 30333 to donate $5- The Canadian Red Cross Society
• Text “QUAKE” to 45678 to donate $10- The Salvation Army in Canada
• Text “GIVE” to 45678 to donate $5- UNICEF

United Kingdom

• Text “GIVE” TO 70707 to donate £5- Disasters Emergency Committee

All donations are a one time addition to your monthly mobile phone bill.

Of course, you can always help by keeping up with what’s going on and making sure your friends and loved ones in the area have up-to-date information. Google has a resource site that may provide answers to those in need.

To find out more about what’s going on in Japan, click here.