2011/9/7

Japan Earthquake Relief Six Months Report

A massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake shook Japan on 11 March, unleashing a powerful tsunami that wrecked the northeast coast. Six months on, the survivors started moving into temporary housing with assistance from the government and relief organisations, striving to resume a normal life. But under threat from radiation pollution and aftershocks, rehabilitation of the affected areas is a long way to go. The generous donations from various sectors of the community enabled The Salvation Army to carry out relief and rehabilitation work in Japan, providing diversified support to different target groups, benefiting around 90,000 people.Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Projects.

l      The earthquake paralysed the transportation in Tokyo. The Salvation Army territorial headquarters were opened to the commuters who were not able to go home. Basic necessities such as hot drinks and packed meals were served.

l      8,000 relief packs and food were distributed to survivors in the worst-hit areas, i.e. Sendai, Fukushima, Kesennuma, Koriyama, Yabuki-cho, Shirakawa and Mito. Each pack included personal hygiene products, clothes and daily necessities.

l      Activities were organised for the children affected in Sendai and Kesennuma to provide them with care and comfort.

l      20,000 hot meals were distributed to the elderly and children living in shelters in Miyagi Prefecture to keep them nourished.

l     2,000 electrical fans were delivered to the shelters in Miyagi Prefecture to improve ventilation in the crowned relief shelters as the summer temperature soared to 30℃ and above.

l  3,500 sets of bedding, which included blankets, mosquito nets, pillows and bed sheets, were distributed to people moving into temporary housing.

 l    30 one-tonne fishing boats were provided to the fishermen affected in Onagawa, Miyagi to facilitate the resumption of their fishing business.

l  Fishing equipment, such as life jackets, rubber clothes and rubber gloves, was provided to 550 fishermen in Onagawa. The fishermen were able to clean up sea surface, seabed and seaside to resume their fishing business.

l      Students were moved into relief shelters or temporary housing when their homes were destroyed in the disaster. However the locations are remote and schools are not easily accessible therefore The Salvation Army provided bicycles for students and families for transportation.

l      To prevent disease outbreak in the affected areas, The Salvation Army helped primary schools install anti-mosquito window screens.

l      As winter approaches, the Army plans to provide warm clothing to the victims. Some of the scarves donated by Hong Kong people have already been distributed to the elderly.

Photos of Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Projects
　

The earthquake paralysed the transportation in Tokyo.The Salvation Army territorial headquarters are opened to the commuters who are not able to go home. Basic necessities such as hot drinks and packed meals are served
Food and daily necessities are distributed to the survivors in the worst-hit areas
The affected children receive treats and entertainment	Words of blessing are printed on food packs
Delivering medical supplies to hospital
Hot meals are distributed to the elderly and children for a nutritious diet
Basic bedding are distributed to people moving into temporary housing
Fishing equipment and fishing boats are offered to the affected fishermen for livelihood restoration
Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong expresses his gratitude to Lieut-Colonel Samuel Pho, Officer Commanding for The Salvation Army’s relief efforts
A sum of HK$26.08 million was raised from the “Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders” fundraising campaign for The Salvation Army’s relief work in Japan

Thank You For Your Support

The Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macau Command has received more than HK$55 million for the Japan Earthquake Relief. It included a sum of HK$26.08 million raised from the “Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders” fundraising campaign initiated by performing professionals in Hong Kong. We thank all donors for their generosity and support in enabling us to assist the survivors in restoring their normal routine.

The Salvation Army in Japan

The Salvation Army has been at work in Japan since 1895. There are more than 80 Salvation Army service units across Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, including two hospitals and four children’s homes.

l      There are 47 Salvation Army corps (churches) and 12 outposts in Japan, with nearly 200 officers (full-time clergy) and 3,000 members.

l      The Japan Territory oversees two hospitals and 20 social services institutions including children’s homes, homes for the elderly and rehabilitation centres.