Japan Earthquake Relief: Many Countries and Aid Groups Offer Assistance

Hundreds have been killed after the worst earthquake in generations struck off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, setting off a devastating tsunami that destroyed lands of coastal territory and fanned out across the Pacific Ocean, threatening everything in its path.

The 8.9-magnitude earthquake -- the world's fifth-largest since 1900 and the biggest in Japan in 140 years -- struck at 2:46 p.m. local time, shaking buildings violently in Tokyo for several minutes and sending millions fleeing for higher ground, reported in the Los Angeles Times.

Many countries and aid groups have offered assistance for the rescue efforts and in the wake of devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Tsunami’s producing waves of up to six feet or higher are predicted to hit the coasts of Hawaii and The Americas spanning from Oregon coast to South America. Beaches and coastal areas have been closed along the California coast. Precautions are being taken as far South as Colombia and Peru.

The following is a list of Aid offers from Reuters.

President Barack Obama said the United States stood "ready to help the Japanese people in this time of great trial." The Defense Department said it was preparing American forces in the Pacific to provide earthquake and tsunami relief.

Pentagon spokeswoman Navy Commander Leslie Hullryde said the U.S. military effort included at least six U.S. Navy ships but said defense officials have not yet received a request for assistance from the Japanese government.

* The United Nations said 30 international search and rescue teams were on alert to go to Japan to provide assistance.

* South Korea is initially sending 40 emergency rescue officials who are on standby to fly in by government plane when they get clearance, its foreign ministry said.

* Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Russia was ready to provide emergency aid. "Russia is ready to offer Japan all possible aid to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy," Medvedev said in a statement on the Kremlin's official website.

* Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Beijing was ready to provide Japan with necessary assistance to deal with the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

* Thailand will offer 5 million baht ($165,000) aid to Japan and will consider giving more when the extent of the damage is known, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said.

* British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was in contact with the Japanese government and he has asked the country's ambassador in Tokyo to offer all assistance. ($1=30.37 Baht)