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| The Security Industry Association have expressed their empathy for the people of Japan |
The Board members and staff of the Security Industry Association have expressed deepest concern for those affected by the recent events in Japan.
The world has watched in horror as the earthquake and tsunami claimed thousands of lives, in fear as a potential nuclear accident threatened to take many more and in awe as countless people became heroes, risking their own well-being that others may live. From the average person offering a stranger food, water or shelter to the search and rescue teams pulling survivors from the water and the rubble to the power plant workers braving high levels of radiation to prevent an atomic disaster, the worst of times has brought out the best of men and women.
Many of SIA's members have operations in Japan, and their thoughts are with those companies' employees and their families as they confront difficulties beyond our comprehension.
As Japan works to rebuild, SIA is supporting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center as it directs relief efforts from American businesses. In particular, SIA wishes to highlight the center's three tips for "do no harm" assistance:
- Allow first responders to do their job: Do not send unrequested materials or people that would only get in the way.
- Work only with credible humanitarian organizations: The center provides guidance through its Disaster Help Desk for Businesses.
- Distinguish between a pledge and a donation: Recovery is a long-term project, and pledging now to donate later will help to sustain the process when the rush of donations that immediately follows a disaster has ended.
The people of Japan have already shown remarkable resilience these past few weeks. As the world marvels at their strength and mourn for their losses, SIA will continue to look for ways to help them to move on.
