International relief agencies launched a variety of ways Friday for people make donations to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.

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Nearly 500 people were confirmed dead by the time dawn broke in the country Saturday morning in Sendai, the city closest to the earthquake's epicenter. Just under a thousand more people were injured, and police said nearly 600 people were unaccounted for after the magnitude-8.9 offshore quake set forth a 23-foot tsunami. The country has also been hit by more than 50 aftershocks with many above magnitude 6.0.

Here are ways viewers can help:

Online

The American Red Cross is collecting donations for its disaster relief efforts to help people in Japan and throughout the Pacific.

Save the Children is collecting donations and has dispatched an international emergency team to assist staff in Japan.

International Medical Corps' Emergency Response Fund is collecting donations and is preparing to send relief teams and supplies to the country.

The Salvation Army is collecting donations while its counterpart in Japan responds to victims' needs.

Donations to GlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund will be distributed to a variety of relief and emergency services agencies.

From Your Phone

The American Red Cross is also collecting donations via text message. Donors can text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to give $10 for relief efforts.

The Salvation Army is collecting $10 donations for each text with the words "Quake" or "Japan" sent to 80888. Donations can also be made by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

By Mail

Check donations for The Salvation Army's Japan efforts must be marked "Japan earthquake relief" and sent to:

The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 1959
Atlanta, GA
30301-0959

In Japan

Google launched a crowd sourcing database for those searching for people in Japan and for those with information about people in Japan.

Not An Ad - It's a Person Finder

Courtesy of CBSNews.com

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