emergency

As Japan continues to pinball between almost incomprehensible disasters, the world is stepping up to help. And Canada is no exception.

In addition to the federal government — which has pledged an array of expertise and technical assistance as well as the Canadian Forces — homegrown humanitarian and relief agencies are in high gear, deploying teams, fundraising and otherwise assisting in any way possible.

“We have made our complete resources available,” John Saunders, director of disaster management in Ontario with the Canadian Red Cross, tells Samaritanmag.  “Internationally, we have two mobile field hospitals that are complete surgical units that can be deployed on request from the Japanese Red Cross. And we’re basically on standby at this point for any human or material resources they may require.

“The Japanese Red Cross is a very robust emergency management program with over one million volunteers trained in disaster response,” Saunders continues. “They also have over 50,000 individuals trained to assist in emergency medical teams — so doctors, nurses and medics who are specifically able to be deployed for emergency medical help. All those resources are being engaged.

“Once those resources are exhausted, that’s when the international teams would step up to supplement the strong existing Japanese team. Right now, we are financially assisting them in the costs of relief programs such as bottled water to the millions without it, sheltering operations and medical assistance.”

Rock fans raised more than 700 winter clothing items for Montreal’s homeless on Feb. 25, including 259 shirts, 90 sweaters and 107 pants. Everything collected at the third annual Blankfest Quebec went to Old Brewery Mission, established in 1890.

“Montreal’s winter is really cold and harsh,” event organizer Jon Asher tells Samaritanmag. “I find that a majority of fundraisers are done during the holidays and that the after months, in January, February and March, are truly when help is needed most for those less fortunate. By raising blankets and winter clothing we can at least do our part as a community and give them warmth.”

Over the three years, Blankfest Quebec's has brought in nearly 2,000 winter clothing items.

Asher writes in the press release that he launched Blankfest Quebec after he read about his friend, New York City indie rock veteran Kenn Rowell of The Baghdaddios, who founded Blankfest in 1997 in NYC and has been organizing the annual fundraiser for the past 13 years.