People in the US can text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. Canadians, text REDCROSS or ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 (you can donate by phone up to 6x per month) or donate through the Red Cross website (there are some reports that 30333 still goes to the Haiti fund – honestly, it doesn’t matter; your help is needed). You can also donate through Global Giving if you prefer.

If you’re anywhere on the west coast of North America, stay off the beaches.

Google has set up a Person Finder for people looking for loved ones.

Twitter is proving to be an invaluable resource for news and information – hashtags to follow include #japan #tsunami #eqjp #earthquake – but beware false or misleading information, especially about tsunami warnings.

Al Jazeera was running much more in-depth coverage of events than CNN; you can watch the English stream online.

Live coverage, including emergency numbers for various languages, can be found on the Timeout Tokyo site.

I hate that I can do so little to help other than donate.

Be safe, everyone.