Japan Earthquake 2011
Latest News
The Salvation Army's earthquake response in Japan is continuing its work despite difficulties caused by snow and the lack of fuel. A team that was set to head from Tokyo to the tsunami-hit north of the country had to delay its journey because of snow but has now made its way to Sendai, where a distribution will take place tomorrow morning (Saturday).
The three teams that carried out distributions in Sendai, Koriyama, Shirakawa, Fukushima and Mito City on Wednesday 16 March returned to The Salvation Army's Japan Territorial Headquarters in Tokyo to report on what they had seen and decide what should be done next. International Emergency Services worker Major Raelton Gibbs reports: 'The work that has been done is commendable – from feeding programs out of Salvation Army halls to the distribution of blankets, water bottles, bread and nappies (diapers).'
He says that Tokyo continues to feel aftershocks and admits that 'no matter how many you experience they are all a little daunting'
. The Salvation Army distribution teams are well aware of the concerns surrounding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and are staying clear of the exclusion zones.
Major Gibbs says he has been impressed by the response put together by The Salvation Army's Japan Territory. The fuel and weather problems mean that people have had to be flexible. He tells of one group that tried to get to Sendai but was unable to make it all the way and so met the needs of some smaller communities around Koriyama on the way back to Tokyo.
The focus is understandably on the immediate response but Major Gibbs says that longer-term plans are being put in place, such as the provision of cooking equipment when people return to their communities. As it often does in emergency responses, The Salvation Army will pay particular attention to communities that have been missed by the government and other agencies.
News from our National Blog
The following news is syndicated from our National Blog (http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org). Click on a story below to read it in its entirety.
It’s been a year since a tornado ripped through North Minneapolis and left hundreds of families homeless. Not only is The Salvation Army still serving tornado survivors, it has a new program to help them two more years into the future. Every morning since the storm, Doug has gone out to sit on his old concrete porch, all that remains of his former home.
“I don’t think I’ve missed a morning. It’s where I can be by myself, gather my thoughts, plan for my day,” he says.
One year ago today, Joplin, MO homes and businesses were leveled within a matter of minutes when the town suffered a direct hit by a massive EF5 tornado with wind speeds over 200 mph. The storm killed 161 people and left most residents displaced and homeless.
Throughout the day, we’ll be featuring blog posts from Danni Eickenhorst, Communications Specialist from The Salvation Army in St....Minneapolis: One Year of Service Down, Two to Go
published:
A Reason to Hope – Joplin One Year Later
published:
Joplin: One Year Later
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Other Resources
Interesteing infographic from the NYTimes.com website explaining what is happening with the nuclear reactors in Japan.
Click here to launch the NYTimes.com website
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What We're Doing:
- Three teams in place with government recognition and access to otherwise restricted areas
- Disaster team in Sendai provided over 1,000 meals, hot drinks, and other supplies
- Disaster team in Mito provided bottles of water, biscuits, blankets, diapers, and tissue boxes
- Team headed to assist evacuees near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Travel is difficult due to snow and fuel shortages.
History
The Salvation Army has been at work in Japan since 1895. Read more about The Salvation Army in Japan here.
More Information
Check our national disaster services website at: disaster.salvationarmyusa.org