Sixth month anniversary of the Japan quake

Six months after Japan’s 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, there’s been impressive recovery but survivors are struggling emotionally and economically.

"No country would have been able to protect itself against an earthquake and tsunami the scale of which we experienced," says Mariko Kinai, World Vision's emergency response director in Japan.

"Six months later the survivors are still living with uncertainty and hardship. This isn't something you can recover from quickly."

World Vision began responding in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and has already reached more than 147,000 people with emergency relief supplies and long-term recovery assistance.

"By international disaster response standards, the recovery that has taken place in Japan has been exceptional," says Kinai. "The progress here shows that preparedness and strong disaster response capacity makes a big difference."

Hardship not over

However, while rebuilding is taking place, survivors battle every day with the physical and psychological effects of what happened. Besides losing loved ones and having homes washed away, livelihoods have been lost and rebuilding local economies will be a long-term process.

In the coastal town of Kesennuma, the fishing industry is operating at 20 per cent of its normal capacity and thousands of workers are still without jobs. World Vision is helping replace equipment lost in the tsunami, and will also be launching a campaign in local high schools to renew interest in the fishing industry.

"Economic recovery is key" explains Kinai. "By assisting local fishermen with new equipment and supplies, World Vision is able to help jumpstart the industry and promote long-term re-growth. This has a direct benefit to children whose parents are currently out of work."

Emotional scars

World Vision has focused its efforts on Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, two of the hardest-hit areas. The organisation set up seven Child-Friendly Spaces to give children a chance to recover from the emotional and psychological toll of the disaster. They participate in art therapy and structured activities designed to help them return to a normal, stable environment.

"Much like in Christchurch, there have been many aftershocks that make children continuously anxious. After each one they relive the nightmare of March 11" Kinai says.

As late as August 18, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake sent tremors through the region.

World Vision has moved into the second phase of its response which will run through to June next year. Its focus until then will be on child development and protection as well as installing boreholes, emergency water storage, and solar panels for emergency power in future disasters.

• To all the amazing people who donated to World Vision's Japan Appeal. You've made such a difference and enabled phenomenal progress.

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