We’ve all been shocked and moved by the images and stories coming out of Japan following last week’s earthquakes, tsunami, and now, nuclear crisis. Conditions are deteriorating, and United Way Worldwide is determined to support the Community Chest of Japan, a part of the United Way worldwide network.

The Community Chest of Japan has established a fund, but chaos and difficulty inside Japan are making it difficult for them to set up a website where people can give direct donations.

United Way Worldwide is now accepting contributions on its website for the Community Chest of Japan, and the funds will be directed to the Community Chest of Japan through United Way’s International Donor Advised Giving (IDAG) program.

To make a donation, visit: http://liveunited.org/japan

If you have a smart phone, getting prepared for disaster has never been easier. Over on Mashable, they have a great list of resources that either use Web 2.0 tools like Facebook , or can be integrated with any current generation smart phone.

Though it sounds rather fancy and complicated, it is really just another way of organizing the same principles and information we’ve recommended: Things like creating a plan, establishing meeting places for your family, and making sure you have your emergency contact information updated and available.

If you have a smart phone, it may be also be good idea to install social media apps like Facebook and Twitter because the 3G network could still be functioning after a disaster, even as phone lines may be busy or unavailable.  A quick status update could be a useful way to let a lot of people know you’re okay, or your location, or anything else worth communicating.

Use these tools in combination with other, low-tech, steps and you’ll be quite prepared.

Some favorites that were mentioned include:

My Maps which lets you plan a route using landmarks, lines, and shapes, and lets you easily share that route or access it on your mobile browser.You can also print out a copy of the map you’ve created and add to your “Go Bag” or your child’s backpack.

For iPhone users (I’m sure there will soon be an Android equivalent) they also mentioned the ICE App (99 cents in App Store). The app creates one central location to conveniently store information about your medical conditions and allergies as well as emergency contacts. You can even enter insurance information and contact details for your specific doctors. Mashable also links to other iPhone apps that can help you out in case of emergency.

But my favorite is the Emergency Radio app, which turns your iPhone into a supercharged scanner for police, fire, NOAA and other emergency radio frequencies.

The following is an update from United Way World Wide:

The response to the earthquake in Haiti is one of the largest the world has ever seen, and coordination of resources, personnel and aid has been challenging for many organizations.
While we’ve provided some immediate aid—through our networks, United Way has distributed water, juice, over-the counter medicines, first aid products, protein bars, canned foods and cleaning supplies—we continue to communicate to our donors that United Ways’ most important role is to assist with long-term recovery efforts.

Our experience has taught us to be deliberate as we consider how best to invest their donations to help those affected by the disaster.

Through our partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren, we have made an initial grant to Project Medishare to transport medical volunteers and supplies, as well as food and water, to Haiti, and we are developing a plan for how the balance of the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund will be invested.

Additional developments in the United Way Haiti response:

• United Way of New York City and the Brooklyn Community Foundation launched the NYC Haitian Community Hope and Healing Fund. The Fund is a long-term initiative that will help strengthen New York City community based organizations so they can most effectively serve the anticipated increased number of people affected bythe Haiti earthquake who need assistance.

• United Way of Palm Beach County raised $45,000 and has distributed the first portion to Missionary Flights International (MFI). Their Board met last week to approve additional funds to MFI as well as Communities in Schools to support the needs of Haitian children coming into their community.

• Switchboard of Miami, which operates the 2-1-1 program, is recruiting volunteers to provide grief counseling and is offering services at Miami-Dade County welcome centers including Homestead, St. Thomas University and Miami International Airport. Potential volunteers must pass a mandatory background check. As of February 3, 17,000 people entered Florida through the Repatriation program. Among those, 195 are medical evacuees—23 remain hospitalized.

• United Way of Thailand presented United Way Worldwide Board Member, Arthur Bellis, with a check for $5,000 for the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund to go toward our recovery and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. In response to the crisis in Haiti, women’s fashion retailer, New York & Company, is helping raise funds for the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. New York & Company will collect donations in every one of its 580 stores and online at nyandcompany.com. The company is asking every customer to add any amount to their purchase and has generously agreed to match 100% of customer donations up to $100,000. United Way is excited to partner with this national brand to help Haiti rebuild in the weeks, months and years ahead—because, as the marketing for New York & Company explains, “The Recovery is Just Beginning.”

• Polo Ralph Lauren continues to make giving fashionable with the sale of their limited edition Haiti Relief Polo Shirt to benefit the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. 100% of the proceeds from online and in-store sales of the Polo Shirt, along with a corporate contribution, and an employee and corporate matching program will be donated to the Disaster Fund. United Way is proud to partner with Polo Ralph Lauren to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti. Buy your polo today to lend your support!

The Bay Area is blessed with access to some pristine water sources. In fact the water in the Hecth Hetchy reservoir in the Yosemite was good enough to be bottled and sold to the public. But transporting water from its source requires pipes that can easily be damaged or disrupted during a disaster. Not just earthquakes but ice storms and even power outages can leave you without access to clean drinking water – which is why ensuring you have a good supply of water on hand is so important.

So for February’s Do One Thing disaster preparedness the subject is water and the goal is to have at least 72 hours of drinking water on hand. This means having at least 3 gallons of water per person in your household. A good way to do this is to throw a case of water in with your next big grocery store run. Often times they’re on sale and you can get a big discount. The more adventurous can use water collecting barrels to catch and store rainwater. Just be sure you sanitize the water before drinking.

Pro tip: You can keep some of your extra water supply in the freezer which has the added bonus of keeping your food cold in the event of a power outage.

(photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/lady_lush/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

On Tuesday, December 22, the San Francisco Department of Public  Health will make  16,000 doses of the vaccine available at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. These free doses will be set aside for San Francisco residents in the high-risk priority group.

The SF Dept of Pubic Health defines high risk as:

Pregnant women

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

Anyone who lives with or provides care for infants less than 6 months of age

• Health care and emergency responders with direct patient contact
• Adults ages 25-64 with medical conditions that put them at risk for complications from influenza (heart, lung or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, or weakened immune system)
• Children less than 10 years old needing their second dose of H1N1 vaccine (first dose of vaccine must have been received before December 1st)

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is located at 99 Grove Street in Civic Center Plaza. For more information about H1N1 swine flu and vaccine updates visit www.sfcdcp.org/flu or cal 211.

Volunteers 18 years of age or older are also needed for this event. If you would like to volunteer, go to www.sfcdcp.org/flu, click on the “Volunteer to Help” section, and follow the instructions. They are looking for: clinic managers, greeters, vaccinators, etc.

Sign up before December 15th!