Just days after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck, JCIE began documenting the work being done by NGOs in the region. For nearly two years—through December 2012—we provided short updates on our website that offered a glimpse into the day-to-day activities being undertaken to provide relief, support, and healing for those affected by the disaster.
These updates focused on the work done by the grantees of the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund, whether through our funding or through support from other sources. Together, they form a journal that offers a unique look at how NGOs engage in post-disaster assistance in the initial phases and how their work shifts over time.
These posts are on the initial two years. Information from January 2013 on is available on our 3/11 Disaster Relief & Recovery Facebook page.
NICCO‘s survey team found that the town of Rikuzentakata lost roughly half of its employees in the disaster, making it difficult for the town to respond to the emergency. Accordingly, NICCO personnel joined with doctors and experts in electrical and water supply and headed to … Read more
JEN sent its third team to Miyagi Prefecture, where they joined other teams conducting surveys of the northern part of the prefecture. In addition to JEN’s ongoing efforts in Sendai, they are planning to expand their efforts to this hard-hit northern area that has not … Read more
Japan Platform reported that relief supplies raised through its matching program reached the Natori relief supply warehouse (the town’s recreation center) today. Sanitary supplies provided by Kao (hand sanitizer, etc.) were being distributed to evacuees with the help of the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) … Read more
JEN has been posting weekly lists of items that are needed in the region, and on the 26th they announced that a truck full of supplies had successfully headed off to deliver the collected supplies. Items on their request list for the coming week include … Read more
In Iwate Prefecture’s Kamaishi City, the larger evacuation centers have been receiving relief supplies and medical services, but AMDA reports that the management of aid stocks needs to be improved. They also report that communication lines to the town of Otsuchi are still out and some evacuation … Read more
On the 29th, JEN distributed fleece clothing and underwear that was donated by UNIQLO to evacuees in Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture). The UNIQLO employees assisted in delivering these goods to more than 750 residents at three sites that had been announced on the radio. JEN is … Read more
JEN‘s team in Ishinomaki reported that it had divided up into four groups that were focusing on removing mud, providing hot meals, addressing emotional needs, and providing mobile relief services. The most urgent of these tasks is mud removal. The tsunami left wide swaths of … Read more
Peace Winds Japan has been examining medium- to long-term needs in the region and is currently working on plans in two areas: (1) supplying household items for those who are moving into temporary residences, and (2) providing play spaces where children and caregivers can play, and … Read more
On April 2–3, JEN brought its third shipment of relief supplies to Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture), providing clothing donated by UNIQLO as well as other supplies donated from around the country. They have assisted more than 2,000 people in that town to date. Among the donated … Read more
If you take a ferry from Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture) and sail for about two hours, you will reach a small island called Ajishima, home to about 500 people, most of whom are elderly. The tsunami hit the island before it had gathered full strength, but as … Read more