Iowans who are compelled to donate cash toward relief efforts in Japan are encouraged to go through established charities, like the American Red Cross. Barbara Michaels, with the Brushy Creek chapter in Fort Dodge, says new estimates indicate last week’s earthquake and tsunami may have a $60-billion impact.

Michaels says it’s easy for Iowans to contribute. She suggests people use the main website, www.redcross.org, or they can make a ten-dollar donation by texting “redcross” to 9-0-9-9-9. Michaels says there are no immediate plans to send an Iowa Red Cross delegation to assist the survivors in Japan.

“There is a fairly rigorous training course that would prepare someone for international relief,” Michaels says. “There aren’t very many of those folks trained in the Iowa area for that.” The death toll in Japan exceeds 24-hundred, with more than 3,000 people still missing and 450,000 living in shelters.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City