Prayers and Blessing to Japan

On Friday, March 11, 2011, the country of Japan was struck by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami that added to the devastation. The official death toll rests at 1,900 people so far but this figure is suspected to be extremely low compared to the reality. More than 24,000 people are stranded in the worst hit areas and close to 430,000 are living in shelters or with relatives.

It is impossible to conceive of this overwhelming reality without having lived through a similar disaster. Too often, we watch the news and sit in awe of the destruction that has happened to “someone else.” But disasters like this don’t just happen to someone else. This event has affected our entire planet.

The initial earthquake was caused when one tectonic plate pushed below the surface of another. Japan was rocked by an earthquake measuring 7.2 just two days before the twin disaster struck; a quake that has since been named a foreshock. There is a 5% chance of a larger earthquake striking within days of a major quake of this type. The change generated by the second earthquake shifted the Earth on its axis a full 6.5 inches and moved the island of Japan 13 feet closer to the United States. In the grand scheme of things, these distances don’t seem like much but consider the amount of force needed to make those kinds of changes to our planet.

The tsunami generated by the earthquake caused additional destruction along the coast of Japan but also caused damage throughout the Far East before traveling to South America and parts of the Pacific United States.

In an already devastating situation, fear of one more disaster has been added to the mix by the slow failure and potential meltdown of several nuclear reactors. Four nuclear complexes were damaged in the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Three reactors at Fukushima Dai-ichi have lost the ability to cool down and a building that housed another reactor suffered a hydrogen explosion today. Temporary measures to cool the reactors down are not expected to be completely successful.

The people of Japan are without food and water. There is no running water, no power and no heat. Temperatures are near-freezing. More than 1,000 bodies washed up along the coast of the Miyagi Prefecture today adding to the horror these people must face. Crematoriums are overwhelmed and cannot process the bodies being brought in while emergency workers are running out of body bags and caskets.

Most of us will never need to live through a disaster of this magnitude. Many of us will try to reach out and ease the suffering of others. If you are interested in helping, there are many amazing and legitimate organizations out there that have the expertise to help but may just be in need of funds. American Red Cross, World Vision, AmeriCares, and Save the Children are just a few of these organizations but there are hundreds. Please be careful when donating money as there are already many scams set up to take advantage of the kindness of others.

And whether you are able to donate or not, offer a prayer to whatever deity you hold sacred that the suffering of the people of Japan will be limited...