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 has been working since June to help rebuild and repair schools in the town of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, and Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture. Nine elementary schools and seven middle schools were severely damaged by the earthquake and tsunami, forcing the children to commute to other … Read more
Although 10 months have passed since the earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region, a great deal of clean-up work still remains. In December, JEN volunteers joined with volunteers from Mitsui Bussan and entered the Yagawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki for the first time to start … Read more
A group of Harvard Business School students visited the JEN Ishinomaki office as a part of their Business Research Program. After a presentation on JEN’s activities, JEN held an open hearing with the beneficiaries of the emergency clothing assistance project, which was carried out jointly … Read more
The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) reported this week on a quickly growing problem of homelessness among the victims the earthquake. According to an NPO in Sendai, there are now roughly 100 earthquake victims who are on the streets in that city … Read more
The Japan NGO Earthquake Relief & Recovery Fund is now concentrating on the recovery phase of its efforts. One of the first recipients of funding in this stage was the Sanaburi Foundation. The following is a thank-you note from the foundation. To the supporters of the … Read more
The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) is planning an event in early March, just one week prior to the one-year anniversary of the earthquake, to promote exchange between two of the sites in which AMDA has been working, Otsuchi (in Kamiheigun) and Kesennuma … Read more
Anime voice artist, Stephanie Sheh, presented funds raised by anime industry group “We Heart Japan” on February 24 to JCIE/USA. We Heart Japan has held numerous charity events throughout the year to encourage anime fans to make donations to support the victims of the earthquake … Read more
After a cold and unusually snowy January, the wakame seaweed harvesting season has finally started in the town of Minamisanriku. This area is known for its high quality wakame. In particular, in a fishery community called Utatsu, most residents have been involved in wakame-related work … Read more
The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) Japan held a special event for children at a school in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, in a town that has been affected by the radiation leak from the nuclear plant. Children are only allowed outside to play when the … Read more
Many residents in the Tohoku region were engaged in small-scale farming prior to the disaster of 3/11. Rice farming in particular has not just been a source of income, but an integral part of the region’s culture and history. The tsunami had a devastating impact … Read more