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Members of the Japanese Canadian community in Metro Vancouver have united behind a relief fundraising effort in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

A coalition of student, business, cultural and other groups agreed to support what’s being called the B.C.-Japan Earthquake Relief Fund during a hastily convened meeting on March 12.

On March 11, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck off of Japan’s northeastern coast and a massive tsunami destroyed coastal areas. It’s been estimated that at least 10,000 people have died.

B.C.-Japan Earthquake Relief Fund organizers are encouraging British Columbians who want to help earthquake survivors to donate directly to the Canadian Red Cross.

They are also establishing a relief fund and providing organizational support to those who want to collect donations themselves.

“I think what’s happening here locally is that the trauma of the images is hard to just watch and to absorb, so it’s really compelling people to act in some way,” said Julia Aoki, with the Powell Street Festival Society.

Representatives of more than 20 organizations met last weekend at the Vancouver office of Tonari Gumi, a Japanese community volunteer group, to discuss helping the earthquake survivors.

Tonari Gumi’s office is now serving as the headquarters for much of the work.

“We’re encouraging people to donate to the Red Cross but also to do their own research and feel comfortable with the organization that they’re donating to and be aware where the money’s going and what it’s being used for,” said Aoki, who is also involved with the relief project.

There are also plans to hold a fundraising concert in connection with the B.C.-Japan Earthquake Relief Fund initiative.

At the University of B.C., campus organizations are also coordinating relief fundraising efforts.

The UBC Japan Association has pledged to donate its club profits to the Canadian Red Cross and has established a dedicated fund to pool contributions from other campus groups.

Kaveh Sarhangpour, with the UBC Japan Association, said around a dozen campus groups are onboard.

As well, the UBC Japan Association has set up a booth in the university’s student union building and is encouraging donations to the Canadian Red Cross.

“It’s just amazing how everyone’s so supportive and I think it really shows the diversity of the school and how caring everyone is,” said Shimon Miyamoto, a UBC student whose parents live in Tokyo.

Today B.C. Premier Christy Clark encouraged people to donate to the Red Cross and said her newly named cabinet will discuss providing assistance.

“You’ll hear the news of it in the coming days,” she told reporters shortly after she was sworn in as premier in Victoria.

The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow and by phone at 1-800-418-1111. People can also text message the word “ASIA” to 30333 for a one-time $5 donation or contact their local Red Cross office.

Please note: This article was update on March 17, 2011, to indicate the B.C.-Japan Earthquake Relief Fund is the name of the initiative supported by members of the local Japanese Canadian community.

You can follow Stephen Thomson on Twitter at twitter.com/thomsonstraight.