What is the situation following the Japan earthquake?
Six months on from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and following tsunami that ravaged Japan’s northeast coast in March this year, impressive recovery has taken place. However, survivors are still rebuilding their lives. Generous New Zealanders donated over NZ$635,000 to World Vision’s appeal for Japan, helping us to respond immediately with emergency relief. "By international disaster-response standards, the recovery work that has taken place has been exceptional," says Mariko Kinai, World Vision’s emergency response director in Japan. According to Kinai, economic recovery is vital, especially the rebuilding of the fishing industry in the long term.
Issues faced: Earthquake, tsunami, emergency relief, disaster risk reduction, long-term rebuilding.
Focus areas: Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, two of the hardest hit areas in northeast Japan.
How is World Vision helping Japan earthquake survivors?
World Vision has reached more than147, 000 people with emergency relief supplies, including food, shelter, medical support, water and blankets. Seven child-friendly spaces were also set up. With the initial emergency response now concluded, we have begun a longer term recovery phase until 2012 to help a further 100,000 survivors in the Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures – two of the hardest hit areas.
This second response phase will focus on:
- Community building within the temporary shelter settlements
- Installing boreholes, emergency water storage and solar panels for emergency power in future disasters
- Child development and protection through child-friendly spaces
- Providing school supplies and temporary classrooms
- Helping to revitalise the local fishing industry
- Providing relief supplies and child-focused support to families who evacuated from Fukushima Prefecture
A World Vision child-friendly space in Tome City will continue operating until March 2012, as well as a daily school-feeding programme for 1000 students in Minamisanriku Town.
How can I help other disaster survivors?
World Vision received a generous outpouring of donations from supporters and was able to fully fund its Japan emergency response. This programme is now fully funded and we no longer require donations for Japan. However, by making a Children in Crisis Emergency Fund donation or starting a monthly donation today by calling 0800 90 5000, you will help us respond immediately to any future disasters.
Child-friendly space helps young tsunami survivors
Yoko Yakuwa, a World Vision Japan staff member, plays with children at the child-friendly space that replaced the Tokura Elementary School in Minamisanriku Town, Tome City.A World Vision child-friendly space (CFS) established in Tome City, has been instrumental in helping pupils of Tokura Elementary School return to some degree of normality. The school, which sat about 100m from the ocean, was overwhelmed by the massive tsunami which hit Japan earlier this year. At the CFS, pupils now play games, study, and participate in arts and crafts projects. World Vision also provides school buses to transport children every day to and from the CFS, and has brought in a mobile classroom to provide additional space for learning. "I would like to have a normal school life. I want everything to be back to normal," says 9-year-old Miyako. "We use toys and drawings to help children reflect on the disaster and express their emotions, and we’ve already seen healing occurs," explains World Vision’s child protection advisor, Makiba Yamano. According to the school principal, Astushi Asokara, the CFS has been highly effective in assisting children to continue with their studies.
Key Facts:
- 400,000 people displaced
- 20,000 people dead or missing
- More than 800,000 homes completely or partially destroyed
- World Vision is currently focusing on rebuilding lives and local economies
