Canadian aid agencies are preparing to help Japan in any way they can after the most powerful earthquake in the country's history.
Relief efforts began soon after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan, triggering a tsunami. The most recent reports put death-toll estimates above 10,000.
Here in Southwestern Ontario a number of teams are on stand-by.
Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (or CMAT) has already sent assessment teams to the island nation. Of the nearly 1000 people across Canada involved in this non-profit group, 200 live in Southwestern Ontario. They consist of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, advanced and primary care paramedics.
In Japan, CMAT will conduct a survey to determine what, if any, infrastructure remains. "We won't know until the assessment team [arrives]," says Valerie Rzepka, the National Chair for CMAT. "Just going by the media reports and the pictures that we have been seeing, we anticipate at least mobilizing medical teams for the immediate future."
As of midday on Sunday the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) said it had raised $1 million dollars, but a spokesperson said the agency is holding back its crews until the Japanese Red Cross requests further support.
"We are on standby awaiting word from the Japanese Red Cross," Tanya Elliott, CRC communications director, told CTV.ca in a telephone interview.
The CRC's webpage is accepting donations for victims of the earthquake and tsunami and is also taking donations through its toll-free number at 1-800-418-1111. Canadians can also text the word "ASIA" to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5.
For anyone looking for friends or family in Japan, visit: www.familylinks.icrc.org/eng/familylinks-japan
For more information on CMAT: http://www.canadianmedicalteams.org/
