One year after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, CARE continues to provide support for communities recovering from the disaster. On March 11, 2011, the northeast coast of Japan s main island was hit by a massive earthquake followed by a powerful tsunami that leveled coastal cities. In the middle of the disaster zone was the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The damage from the quake and tsunami resulted in a meltdown and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Over 128,700 buildings were completely destroyed and an area of 451 km² was flooded by the tsunami. CARE Japan immediately organized a convoy to the city of Kamaishi in Iwate prefecture, one of the worst-hit areas, and distributed relief items. Within one week of the disaster, CARE Japan was implementing a feeding program for 600 evacuees. Since the disaster struck, CARE Japan has reached nearly 38,000 survivors. CARE s early response efforts in Japan focused on providing emergency relief items such as blankets and mattresses. CARE also supported families living in evacuation centres with well-balanced, warm meals, as well as ensuring families who remained in their homes received food or food vouchers. CARE Japan also assisted local business owners to restart their economic activities. As part of this work, CARE joined in the creation of an impromptu market commonly known as a pickup truck market, where farm producers and shopkeepers drive their own pickup trucks to a parking lot and sell their wares. CARE supports this market in a town called Otsuchi by providing shades, tables and benches.
CARE Japan provided warm, well-balanced meals to evacuees and delivered food and food vouchers to families who remained in their homes. The Otsuchi market was founded by two local retail store owners, Mr. Shoetsu and Mrs. Keiko Mukushi. They wanted to create a place that would revitalize both retailers and shoppers and allow for a meeting place for survivors to reconnect. The phase of receiving help is over, said Mrs. Mukushi. We wanted to create a place where we ourselves can make suggestions, work and make money, not just waiting for someone s help. Fifteen stores are now open in the pickup truck market in Otsuchi and it is thriving. As hoped, it is also a place for people to reconnect. Mrs. Mukushi was able to meet a friend at the market and confirm her safety for the first time since the disaster. Just as CARE supported businesses to restart, it also helped students go back to school and resume their normal educational activities. CARE provided nearly 400 students in Otsuchi, Miyako and Kirikiri with new sports uniforms and equipment, learning materials, and musical instruments. The physical scars left behind by the disaster are beginning to heal, but the psychological damage requires more time and consideration. This is the emotional trauma left behind after survivors witnessed the loss of family members and loved ones, the destruction of homes and businesses and the devastation of their normal way of life.
Newsletters and community newspapers provide important and useful information for survivors about where to find medical support and other services and to keep up-to-date on what s happening in their community. CARE Japan has decided to continue our psychosocial program until June 2013. One year has passed since the earthquake and tsunami. Temporary housing compounds have been built and many stores are restarting their businesses, says Katsuhiko Takeda, the National Director for CARE Japan. Still, the psychosocial effects of the disaster remain present. Many survivors are struggling to overcome the events of March 11. CARE is working in partnership with the local Social Welfare Association to implement its psychosocial program. CARE is helping to rebuild and strengthen social networks by supporting community newsletters, community cafés, and local festivals. In the community cafés people can meet, chat and get to know each other. This is particularly important for elderly people who find it difficult to adjust to their new surroundings. The newsletters and community newspapers provide important and useful information for survivors about where to find medical support and other services and to keep up-to-date on what s happening in their community. Festivals and traditional art performing groups provide an opportunity for survivors to embrace traditional forms of entertainment once again and celebrate important dates and milestones. Individual passion and energy for recovery has been steadily increasing and expanding for survivors and their communities. Thanks to the support of our generous Canadian donors, CARE Japan can continue to help empower families, businesses and entire communities.
Your gift in action Food and relief items: 611 evacuees received well-balanced, warm meals. 806 families received food delivered to their homes, or food vouchers. 18,800 survivors received blankets. 220 survivors received mattresses. 1,400 families received packages of insect repellent. Economic empowerment: 15 shop owners who lost their businesses are now part of the pickup truck market project. 25 restaurants, bars and food-related shops have received equipment and tools to resume their businesses. Psychosocial support: Over 1,500 people have participated in community cafés from June to December 2011. Nearly 7,000 people attended in traditional musical events and festivals. Over 21,000 community newsletters/newspapers have been distributed to survivors to help them stay connected with their community. Community support: 500 elderly, pregnant and disabled survivors benefitted from a CARE supported communal bus service in Otsuchi. Nearly 600 families received new household appliances. Nearly 400 students in Otsuchi, Miyako and Kirikiri were provided with new sports uniforms and equipment, learning materials, and musical instruments THANK YOU for your generous donation. You have and will continue to make a difference in the lives of Japan earthquake and tsunami survivors. CARE Canada 9 Gurdwara Road Suite 200 Ottawa, ON K2E 7X6 Canada tel 613.228.5679 web care.ca