According to a comparison of post disaster donations by the Business and Civic Leadership Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, companies from around the world have donated, pledged, matched, or offered in-kind services of $277.5 million to Japan relief in the first month. That's compared to $146.8 million to Haiti, to date.
So why the difference? There are a few reasons.
The 7.0 quake below Port-au-Prince crumbled most of the city, killed more than 200,000 people and created an immediate and persistent public health and humanitarian emergency that has yet to abate. In Haiti, the human toll was far greater, and more vivid. Responding to the emergency, individual Americans rushed to give, texting in micro amounts to the Red Cross and other disaster relief groups almost instantly. Our hearts pained seeing families hold vigil by piles of crumbled concrete waiting, hoping, for miracles from beneath the jagged slabs.
From Japan, we saw towns swept away by killer waves, and heard about heroic efforts in the dark tunnels of a nuclear plant, but the scenes of personal suffering involved were still less vivid. And while the earthquake and tsunami is being called the most expensive disaster in history because so many expensive, high-tech facilities were damaged, that economic toll didn't motivate the average American to give in the same way.
Businesses however, rushed to give to Japan. They have more connections there, more business partners, suppliers, employees, and yes, customers. It makes sense for companies to give to the communities they deal with. They have a greater connection and a greater stake in recovery where they operate, and they operate more in Japan than in Haiti. The business community responding to the Japan quake also includes companies like Toyota, who are working to increase giving in various ways.
By day three of the Haitian tragedy, Americans had donated $97 million. By day three of the Japanese quake, Americans had donated $24 million, according to figures provided to GOOD by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. A month later, that ratio holds. In one month, American individuals donated $709 million to Haiti, more than the $246 million they've giving so far to Japan, 69 percent of which has gone to one organization, the American Red Cross.
Both American individuals and corporations gave far more when the natural disaster was on American soil. Hurricane Katrina motivated more than a billion dollars in donations from both individuals and corporations.
Sources: American donation numbers from The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Corporate donations from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.