REFUGEE CRISIS IN JAPAN - URGENT

My sister R is currently walking and camping in the westcountry, collecting emails whenever and wherever she can. A friend of hers is involved in front-line relief work in Japan. I've posted below R's current blogpost. It's hard to know what any of us might do, other than hold Japan in our thoughts; however, I have asked avaaz.org, one of the most effective online campaigning petition groups in the world in terms of making a difference, to consider how they might address the refugee crisis.

R posts: 'Internet time about to run out, but this is critical. From E at the frontline of the disaster in Japan... writing in haste and with passion. Whatever you might do to help, please do it, and urge those around you to do the same':

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currently in fukushima city there are 1200 spaces in shelter. there are 6000 refugees. they have nothing to heat it with. it's minus 2 and snowing.

minami sanruku, endai, there are 500 spaces in shelter,6000 need shelter, it's minus 3

in ofutama, iwate there are 350 spaces in shelters and 40,000 need shelter. it's minus 5.

buses are shipping more people from evacuated areas to places like .....fukushima city. fukushima city is about 80km of the nasty reactor...
people have run out of gasoline and fuel for heating and cooking.

children are getting sick, chest infections are spreading, some women with babies have stopped lactating.

all this is direct from the ER response teams, not the mainstream press.

yes, there is a possible impending nuclear issue.
but the very real and happening refugee issue needs to be addressed as well.
i'm not harping for donations and bleeding hearts at all, but while the world watches the reactor there's several other impending issues not being reported it seems.

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