RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Baptists have begun collecting financial contributions to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week.

“Virginia Baptists grieve with the people of Japan as the effects of the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis are becoming more apparent,” said Dean Miller, who coordinates disaster relief for Virginia Baptists. “John Upton [executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia] has spoken with several Japanese Baptist leaders, has been appraised of their situation and has informed them that they are in our prayers and that we stand ready to respond once they are able to identify their needs.”

Contributions may be made online at www.vbmb.org/donate/disaster-relief.cfm or by sending checks to Disaster Relief, Virginia Baptist Resource Center, 2828 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294. Checks should be made payable to “Virginia Baptist Mission Board,” with the designation “Japanese Earthquake” in the memo line.

Meanwhile, Paul Montacute, director of Baptist World Aid, the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, said two BWAid Rescue 24 teams left Hungary within five hours of the quake. North Carolina Baptist Men sent two relief workers to join the Hungarians, and Texas Baptist Men were on standby.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced it was sending an initial $5,000 for immediate relief needs and opening a channel for designated giving for Japanese victims of the disaster.

Baptist Global Response, which coordinates relief work with Southern Baptist missionaries, allocated an initial $100,000 to prepare for initial response. Officials said in a news release they were still assessing needs and hoped to have a person on the ground soon for initial assessment and contact with mission partners.

A Google translation of the Japan Baptist Convention website indicated that leaders there were still assessing damages to church buildings and the safety of church leaders.

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