JEN volunteers prepared 3,000 bowls of freshly cooked ramen to serve to people in Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture) over a three-day period. On the first day, they set up a stand by the Watanoha Station, where trains have stopped coming since the earthquake. Despite the rain … Read more
When the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) received a phone call about three families who have children with disabilities and are living in a shelter in Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture) that is running low on supplies, they quickly sprang into action, bringing food, bedding, and … Read more
Last week, the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) delivered washing machines and dryers to two evacuation centers on the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture. Many places on the peninsula are still without water and electricity, so this equipment was set up in central areas … Read more
On April 29, after a one-month delay, the Isatomae Elementary School in Minamisanriku (Miyagi Prefecture) finally held its graduation ceremony. They were joined by students from the Natari Elementary School, a school located 2 kilometers away that was heavily damaged by the tsunami and is … Read more
A staff member of the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) shared his experiences helping at an evacuation center in the Minato Middle School in the city of Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture). He first arrived in mid-April, about one month after the earthquake struck, to … Read more
JEN reports that temporary housing is being built in the city of Ishinomaki. There are currently more than 22,000 people living in evacuation centers there, so there is an urgent need for housing. During the Golden Week holidays, JEN was able to provide an average … Read more
One of Japan’s most famous marathon runners, Mari Tanigawa, has been working with the Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) as a board member and as a goodwill ambassador for their efforts to clear landmines. In early May, she joined the AAR teams in Iwate … Read more
In some fields, NGOs are winding down their relief efforts. For example, medical assistance is decreasing as the Tohoku region’s own medical institutions are starting to reopen. At the same time, other organizations are starting to prepare for the long-term task of the recovery, which … Read more
The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) reported on its activities and the current situation in Iwate Prefecture. On April 1, they set up a headquarters in the city of Morioka, and have been working from there to reach facilities for the elderly and people … Read more
In the Motoyoshi section of Kesennuma (Miyagi Prefecture), residents had always relied on wells for their drinking water, but the tsunami left those wells polluted with sea water and fuel oil, making the wells unusable. As a result, the residents have had to travel an … Read more