The earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan on Friday is now estimated to have killed over 10,000 people, according to the police chief of Miyagi prefecture (state) on Sunday.
Reacting to this news Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan said: "This is Japan's most severe crisis since the war ended 65 years ago."
Millions of Japanese have been without clean water, food and electricity since the tsunami struck with such devastating force, according to The Associated Press.
The Japanese government has announced that it has sent over 100,000 each of blankets, bottled water, and liters of gasoline in addition to instant cup noodles, rice balls, diapers and bread to the affected areas.
Amid this disaster, several Christian aid agencies are already providing emergency relief, with the Salvation Army Japan sending a team to the worst-affected city Sendai.
"We combat natural disasters with acts of God," the group, which has been operating in Japan since 1895, stated. "We are a part of Japan's communities and dedicated to their recovery."
World Vision are assessing the damage to identify the most urgent needs to survivors and has set aside an initial budget of $400,000 to provide care.
"Our prayers and that of the partnership are for the survivors as well as everyone impacted by the calamity," said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision's humanitarian and emergency affairs manager in Japan.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has offered prayers for the people of Japan.
Williams said: “The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all.
“We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many.”
(Image shows workers searching for survivors in the aftermath of Friday's disaster).