Why the poster fever to help Japan?

The current events in Japan have shocked the world and, based on its reaction, more than ever the advertising community (we did not see anything similar with other recent natural disasters like the 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean where more than 230.000 died. Yes, that is right, almost a quarter of a million).

Many companies and individuals reacted immediately to help Japan and only a few hours after the earthquake we started to see the first initiatives. Google launched a person locator, as they did in Haiti and New Zealand,  FON open their WiFi signal in Japan to provide free access, iTunes Store had the Red Cross link to donate online, etc. And the creative community did what they now best, create.

But why this time creatives and designers have mobilized like never before? What is about this tragedy that inspired to create so many different mobilizing platforms? And why posters?  Is creating a poster and selling it to obtain funds the best way to help Japan? Is it the quickest?

I believe that what ever you do to help is always welcome but seeing some of the initiatives I cannot ask myself if "helping" is the only purpose. I am not a fan of making public goodwill initiatives since it might look like you are doing it to improve your image, but that is my opinion and I know that many people disagree.

Yes, I understand that if an agency like Wieden + Kennedy creates a poster it will cause PR Buzz and probably more people will be contribute to the cause. And the more initiatives the better....but always, when there is a lot not all is good. And many times we have seen some examples in which the end did not justify the means.

I believe in this case, there is no right or wrong, as long as you help. Not black or white (and this is a good topic for the first post of the blog !)