The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) is providing mobile medical treatment on the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the hardest-hit areas. Currently, the northern half of the peninsula is being covered by a medical team from Tokai University and the Japanese Red … Read more
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
This week is the traditional “Golden Week” holiday in Japan, and many Japanese people are taking advantage of their time off to volunteer in the Tohoku region. As described in a recent Japan Times article, many groups are trying to organize the outpouring of concern into practical assistance … 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
As described in an AFP article on May 9 , the cleanup task in Tohoku is immense and volunteers have been helping local residents to remove the massive amounts of debris and the foul-smelling sludge that was left by the tsunami. A British resident of … 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
As the weather is starting to get warmer, fears are rising that there could be a major outbreak of mosquitoes, flies, mice, and other disease-bearing pests in the earthquake-stricken areas. Beginning in May, NICCO has been working in collaboration with the Japan Pest Control Association … 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
As highlighted in a recent Japan Times article, the Internet and social media such as Facebook and Twitter are playing a new and increasing role in disaster relief efforts in Tohoku. The NGOs being helped by JCIE’s relief and recovery fund are posting calls for … 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