Situation Report Update
Japan
March 25, 2011
Situation Summary
- Increased restoration of electricity and communications , but potable water still and issue
- Radiation contamination found in tap water and vegetables
- Number of people in evacuation centers decreases
- Representative from Japan Platform (PDA’s partner through Church World Service) joins OCHA team.
Situation
Recovery efforts continue in Japan following the March 11 tsunami and earthquake. The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by reports of hundreds of large aftershocks, the onset of subzero temperatures, and the fear of nuclear fallout from damaged nuclear power plants.
According to the March 23, 2011 United National Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report on the situation in Japan, emergency relief operations in Japan’s earthquake and tsunami affected Tohoku Region are ongoing but there is now mounting concern about increasing radioactive contamination of some vegetables, water and milk in the disaster affected areas. In Tokyo, authorities have also detected radioactive iodine in tap water that exceeds the level considered safe for infants.
The March 11, 2011 9.0 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami has resulted in 9,408 confirmed deaths to date and 14,716 people who remain missing. The Government of Japan has not yet released an estimate of the total number of people who have been affected by the magnitude
The number of people in evacuation centers in and outside the affected areas has dropped to 261,000. This is down from the 430,000 reported a week ago on March 18. It’s unknown how many people are in need of assistance that are not living in the evacuation centers.
There has been a decrease in the number of households without electricity and more than 90 percent of telecommunications has been restored. The Government reports that water supply to 760,000 households has yet to be restored in 10 prefectures. The actual number will be higher as many areas remain isolated.
Radioactive materials exceeding legal limits in Japan have now been found in eleven types of vegetables grown in Fukushima Prefecture. The Government is ordering residents not to consume the vegetables, or drink tap water or milk. The neighboring prefecture of Ibaraki also had radiation detected in its vegetables and milk. In Tokyo, authorities have detected radioactive iodine in tap water that exceeds the level considered safe for infants. Radioactive iodine higher than the standard level has been also detected in tap water in Fukushima Prefecture. The Government has advised that it is unfit for babies to drink.
Coordinated Response by Japanese Government
The Government of Japan has requested that its position on international donations of relief items and on international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in Japan be made public. With regard to relief items, “the Government of Japan has received offers for relief goods/material from many countries, international organizations, NGOs and private sector. The Government is identifying the needs and establishing a mechanism for storage and transportation to affected people. Therefore, it is recommended not to send any relief goods without coordination with the Government and local governments”.
United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) has officially handed over reporting and some other functions to OCHA.
Response by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding in cooperation with and as a member of Church World Service (CWS). CWS is working with the Japan Platform, a consortium of 32 Japanese non-profits, to provide a coordinated response to the basic needs of those currently living at evacuation sites. A representative from the Japan Platform has joined the OCHA team.
Specifics of the Response
The initial $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds provided to CWS has gone towards an immediate response to 5,000 households, about 25,000 individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites in the northeastern area of Japan – the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Ibaragi and Tochigi.
The focus of the response is on evacuation sites where basic needs of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are not being met. Response will include
- ready-to-eat food.
- sanitation kits including napkins and soap, to fill the significant sanitation and hygiene gaps.
- potable water, one potential substitute for water could include prepared green tea.
- blankets to help protect people from the cold, which is becoming an increasingly dire need as fuel and gas supplies run out.
- batteries to maintain radio contact and to enable people to receive vital news on nuclear and radiation related developments.
- gas and fuel supplies.
What you can do
Many of you are asking how you can help. Complete assessments have just begun. You can help the church in this response and stand in the GAP for those affected by these disasters.
GIVE. Faithful members who share their financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering are already helping to fund the ongoing work in Japan. Please consider increasing your support to this special offering this year. Special needs and opportunities have arisen in response to this current crisis, and PDA invites you to share your blessing to designated gifts that will provide the resources needed to assist with immediate, long-term and unmet needs of this and other disasters.
Individuals may give by phone at (800) 872-3283, through your congregation, or by mailing a check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include DR000148 on your check to support relief efforts wherever disasters occur.
Support exclusively for response to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami disasters can be designated for DR000117.
Give online for disasters around the world
Give online for response to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. As you follow the situation in the news, please consider planning a special worship service using some of the resources available on this web site.
Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA Rapid Information Network (PDA-RIN) email notices to alert you of additional needs.
PRAY. Please keep the people of Japan, and other areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami, in your thoughts and prayers. Examples of prayers from the Office of Theology and Worship can be found on this website. PC(USA) leaders have issued a Call to Prayer.