In the days following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the response from the travel industry was immediate.

Read on to find out what industry providers are doing and how you, as a traveler, can help direct resources to the right places.

With regard to relief efforts, the Japan’s government is currently identifying needs for relief materials and is establishing storage and transportation to the affected areas.

It is not advised to send relief items without coordination from the Japanese government. The search and rescue phase is limited only to local disaster relief workers and international NGOs are being asked to wait until the situation improves before mobilizing aid.

Response from the Travel Industry

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center’s (BCLC) Corporate Aid Tracker, as of early this week, global business assistance for Japan has exceeded $200 million. This is the third-largest business response to a disaster, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast and the Indian Ocean Tsunami. For example:

All Nippon Airways is providing free transport of emergency supplies and has pledged to donate 1 million yen.

The ARAMARK Charitable Fund has pledged to make a $250,000 contribution to the American Red Cross and will employee contributions to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund.

Boeing and its employees will contribute $2 million to recovery efforts. Contributions from employees will go toward the American Red Cross while company relief agencies and other groups to determine how the company’s portion of the contribution can best be used to support recovery efforts. Contributions from the Boeing’s U.S.-based and international employees will go directly to the American Red Cross relief efforts.

Delta has pledged a $250,000 cash donation to the Japanese Red Cross Society and up to 5 million mile donation to World Vision Japan. Delta will also supplement employee and customer contributions with additional cash to reach its $1 million pledge.

FedEx is providing $1 million in cash and in-kind support towards relief efforts: $500,000 in cash grants being distributed among the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, World Vision and United Way Worldwide; and $500,000 of in-kind transportation assistance for planned relief efforts from Heart to Heart International, Direct Relief International, Water Missions, Project Hope and World Vision.

Get the latest updates on the situation in our Japan Travel section

Lockheed Martin has Pledged to donate $1 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to assist with the relief and recovery and will match employee donations up to an additional $500,000.

Philippine Airlines has donated 700,000 bottles of water to earthquake and tsunami victims.

United Continental preparing to transport doctors and other health care workers to assist in humanitarian efforts, and they are donating cargo space to transport relief supplies to the region in conjunction with specific shippers.

UPS has pledged $1 million in relief for earthquake victims to be used for in-kind transportation supplies and personnel. UPS is coordinating with its existing relief agency partners, including the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, to determine their needs.

How to Donate Airline Miles

Several airlines are offering bonus miles for donations made to the American Red Cross:

Through April 30, 2011, donate $50-$99 and receive 250 bonus miles in your program; donate $100 or more for 500 bonus miles.

Email your electronic receipt from the American Red Cross to:

• American Airlines – ReliefMiles@aa.com
• Continental – onesolution@coair.com
• United Continental –  japanmileagebonus@united.com

Although the bonus mile offer is for a limited time only, frequent fliers on most major carriers can donate air miles to several partner charities, including the American Red Cross, any time of year. Donated miles are not tax-deductible.

Delta Air Lines is partnered with several NGOs on the ground in Japan toward which you can donate your miles. That includes: Peace Winds; Association for Aid and Relief, Japan; Doctors without Borders, Japan; and World Vision Japan.

All Nippon Airways is inviting Mileage Club members to donate miles in 1,000 increments through April 15, 2011. For every mile donated, ANA Group will donate one yen.

How to Donate Hotel Loyalty Points

Hilton HHonors has announced that it will match total member donations, dollar for dollar, of up to $250,000 for Japan. It has partnered with the International Federation and Red Crescent Societies. Each 10,000 points donated will equal $25.

Best Western Rewards has partnered with World Vision Japan. The charity will receive $15 for 4,000 rewards points; $30 for 8,000 rewards points; $60 for 16,000 rewards points.

Marriott Rewards members can donate points to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Starwood Preferred Guest is partnered with the American Red Cross and will donate all Starpoint donations made through April 30, 2011. Donate from 2,000 Starpoints ($25) up to 16,000 Starpoints ($200).

Learn more about the area that was most affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami with 100 Days Of Art: The Setouchi International Art Festival.

Other Aid and Relief Organizations

Airline Ambassadors
The organization coordinated a structured plan within 48 hours of the disaster, but various logistical factors and radiation concerns have prevented teams and shipments from being deployed.

Further down the line, Airline Ambassadors may need hands to help deliver aid and relief supplies. To join the organization and follow upcoming trips, visitwww.airlineamb.org.

American Red Cross
As of Sunday afternoon, the American Red Cross has raised $85 million just for Japan; $3.6 million of that is in text donations alone. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10. www.redcross.org

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The JDC has a long history of charity work in Japan. Its immediate responders have provided emergency supplies to evacuation centers and has now partnered with the Israel Defense Forces Field Hospital which will be operating in Minamisanriko. https://jdc.org

AmeriCares
AmeriCares is made up of professional relief workers who donate medicines, medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in need. www.americares.org

Direct Relief International
Currently they have identified inventory to go to Japan but they are waiting for approval from the Japanese government and have partnered with the Japanese American Citizens League. One hundred percent of donations received will go to Japan. www.directrelief.org

Habitat for Humanity
They are currently assessing the damage in Japan and will work with government authorities and other organizations to determine how they can help. Habitat for Humanity Japan is asking people living in Japan who are willing to volunteer and help with the clean-up operation, and at a later stage, volunteers from outside Japan may also be needed. In the near future, Habitat for Humanity may need help here in the U.S. with phone answering and fundraising. No volunteer trips to Japan are yet planned, but to get more information, call 800-422-4828, email publicinfo@habitat.org, or visit www.habitat.org.

International Medical Corps
Provides emergency medical services as well as long-term programs, mobile clinics, and support. Text MED to 80888 to give $10.www.internationalmedicalcorps.org

MercyCorps
Mercycorps is gathering donations for overseas partner Peace Winds Japan. Text MERCY to 25283 to donate $10 on behalf of Mercy Corps.www.mercycorps.org

More on the situation in Japan and how travel companies are responding is here: Japan Earthquake Aftershocks: Rebuilding Japanese Tourism

National Volunteer Fire Council
The council has established an International Relief Fund to assist the Japan Firefighters Association. www.nvfc.org

Operation USA
This organization works with partner agencies on the ground in Japan. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10. www.opusa.org

Relief International
Relief International is providing support to and through local doctors on the ground now working in the city of Sendai in the most devastated Miyagi Prefecture. To join their Rapid Emergency Deployment (RED) Team, write to joinredteam@ri.org with your Resume/CV.  Team members will conduct initial needs assessments, coordinate with acting agencies, and design and implement relief projects. Members of the RED Teams are expected to have specific skill sets and/or previous international experience. www.ri.org

The Salvation Army
Text the words “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.www.salvationarmyusa.org

World Vision
Text 4JAPAN or 4TSUNAMI to 20222 to donate $10 on behalf of World Vision, Inc. www.worldvision.org

By Sarika Chawla for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:

• Japan Earthquake Aftershocks: Rebuilding Japanese Tourism
• American Airlines Forges Ahead With Japan Partnership As Other Airlines Cut Capacity
• Japan Tourism Plummets In Wake of Earthquake, Tsunami
• Japan Earthquake Damages Tourism Worldwide
• Travel Advice On Dealing With The Japan Earthquake & Tsunami
• Flights Rerouted As Japanese Radiation Leaks Affect Airspace
• Japan Earthquake Update: Travel Advisory Issued
• 100 Days of Japanese Art: The Setouchi International Art Festival
• Japan Travel section