Norwegian Church Aid has opened a text message donation service so that the Norwegian public can contribute to the relief effort. Donations have been steady all day.
"Our first priority is to assist 5000 families who have not received essential items, such as food, water, batteries, blankets, hygiene articles etc. We are also contributing towards purchasing petrol and kitchen fuel," says Arild Isaksen, head of the Emergency Response division at Norwegian Church Aid's headquarters in Oslo.
NCA has already transferred 300,000 Norwegian Kroner towards the relief effort through the ACT Alliance, which cooperates with Japan Platform, a network of 32 organisations. Eight of these are currently engaged in relief activities on the ground in Japan.
So far 460,000 people have been evacuated. There are widespread shortages of everything from food and water to electricity, sanitary items and medicines. Snow is expected to fall on some of the worst-hit areas later today and tomorrow.
Contact Norwegian Church Aid:
- Press hotline: (+47) 93 24 24 93