Disasters In The World: March 2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mercy Corps and Peace Winds Respond to Needs in Japan’s Devastated Earthquake Zone

Date: 12 Mar 2011

Contact: Joy Portella, 206.437.7885, jportella@sea.mercycorps.org

Lindsay Murphy, 415.310.8413, lmurphy@mercycorps.org

PORTLAND, Ore. – The global humanitarian agency Mercy Corps is responding to yesterday's powerful 8.9 magnitude Sendai earthquake in Japan. Mercy Corps is working with its long-time partner agency Peace Winds, which is rushing teams into the quake zone, and putting members of its own emergency response team on high alert to provide support. Immediate concerns are food, shelter and clean water for survivors.

"Working with our partner Peace Winds, Mercy Corps is moving quickly to address the most pressing needs in the earthquake zone," said Mercy Corps CEO Neal Keny-Guyer. "This kind of enormous disaster is overwhelming, even for a well-prepared country like Japan. With Peace Winds' Japanese base and global reach, as well as Mercy Corps' expertise responding to disasters around the world, we are ideally positioned to assist the Japanese people."

Two teams of Peace Winds expert responders are en route via road and air to the disaster zone in Natori, Miyagi Prefecture of northeast Japan. Working with corporate and government partners, they plan to provide balloon shelters, which can accommodate up to 600 people, large emergency tents, water, food and blankets. They will continue to watch and respond to needs on the ground in the coming days.

In addition, Mercy Corps emergency responders in the region stand at the ready to support Peace Winds' efforts. The number one priority for the partner organizations is to assess and help fill immediate needs for life-saving basics like shelter, food and clean water. In the longer term, the partners aim to help earthquake-affected families rebuild their lives.

Mercy Corps is already taking steps to make its Comfort for Kids signature program available in Japan. Comfort for Kids has provided post-trauma assistance to children and caregivers in settings as diverse as New York City after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Sichuan Province of China after 2008's powerful earthquake, and most recently, the earthquake zone of Haiti.

Mercy Corps and Peace Winds have worked together to respond to disasters numerous times over the past decade. The two organizations cooperatively provided humanitarian assistance to families in war-torn northern Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the US Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. They also jointly responded to 2003's massive earthquake in Bam, Iran, which required a large-scale and complicated logistical operation.

According to Japanese news reports, this week's Sendai earthquake and subsequent tsunami have killed between 1,300 and 1,700 people, and thousands more are missing. The twin disasters forced the evacuation of 300,000 people. The 8.9 quake struck on Friday about 250 miles from Tokyo, and is the strongest earthquake to hit Japan in at least 100 years.

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps helps people turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world's toughest places with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Our worldwide team in 36 countries is improving the lives of 19 million people. For more information, see mercycorps.org.

About Peace Winds

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), dedicated to the support of people in distress, threatened by conflict, poverty, or other turmoil. With its headquarters in Japan, PWJ has been active in various parts of the world. http://www.peace-winds.org/en.

Japan: Acceptance of a team of rescue dogs from the Republic of Korea

Source: Government of Japan

Date: 12 Mar 2011

1. In response to the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake, on Saturday 12 March, it was decided to accept a team of rescue dogs from the Republic of Korea. The team will arrive at Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport) this afternoon. (NB: On NH1162 flight, arriving at 1445 hours.)

2. The team will consist of two rescue dogs and five relevant personnel (two dog handlers and three rescue assistants). The time the team arrives at the site is now being coordinated.

3. In addition, the Government of Japan has received from the Government of ROK messages of President Lee Myun-bak and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan, expressing their condolences and compassion, and readiness of Korean government and the general public to extend utmost cooperation. The Government of Japan is deeply grateful to the cooperation of the Government of ROK.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

Japan: Offer of assistance from foreign countries and regions (Tohoku Pacific Earthquake)

Source: Government of Japan

Date: 12 Mar 2011

With regard to the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake, as of 0800 on Saturday, March 12, 2011, Japan has received offers of assistance from the following countries and regions (in no particular order).

Quake-hit Japan nuclear plant faces fresh threat

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 12 Mar 2011

12 Mar 2011 23:12

(Adds details from IAEA, Japan nuclear safety agency)

* Cooling system fails at second nuclear plant reactor

* Up to 160 people may have been exposed to radiation

* Japan says radiation levels lessening - IAEA

* More than 1,800 seen dead, missing after quake and tsunami

* Huge trail of devastation along Japan's northeast coast

Read the full article on AlertNet.

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

IAEA update on Japan Earthquake, 12 Mar 2011

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Date: 12 Mar 2011

2110 CET, 12 March 2011 Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA that the explosion at Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant occurred outside the primary containment vessel (PCV), not inside. The plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), has confirmed that the integrity of the primary containment vessel remains intact.

As a countermeasure to limit damage to the reactor core, TEPCO proposed that sea water mixed with boron be injected into the primary containment vessel. This measure was approved by Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) and the injection procedure began at 20:20 local Japan time.

Japan has reported that four workers at Fukushima Daiichi were injured by the explosion.

NISA have confirmed the presence of caesium-137 and iodine-131 in the vicinity of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1. NISA reported an initial increase in levels of radioactivity around the plant earlier today, but these levels have been observed to lessen in recent hours.

Containment remains intact at Fukushima Daiichi Units 1, 2 and 3.

Evacuations around both affected nuclear plants have begun. In the 20-kilometre radius around Fukushima Daiichi an estimated 170000 people have been evacuated. In the 10-kilometre radius around Fukushima Daini an estimated 30000 people have been evacuated. Full evacuation measures have not been completed.

The Japanese authorities have classified the event at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 as a level 4 'Accident with Local Consequences' on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). The INES scale is used to promptly and consistently communicate to the public the safety significance of events associated with sources of radiation. The scale runs from 0 (deviation) to 7 (major accident).

Japan has also confirmed the safety of all its nuclear research reactors.

The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities and is monitoring the situation as it evolves.

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IAEA Director General's Update on Tsunami and Earthquake Emergency Response

2000 CET, 12 March 2011 IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano provided a video statement on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. Director General Amano expressed his sincerest condolences for the lives and homes lost, and said "My heart goes out to the people of my home country as they rise to the challenge of this immense tragedy."

Director General Amano notes the current effort to prevent further damage to Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

In response to the situation, Director General Amano also explained the IAEA's dual role to use emergency communication channels to exchange verified, official information between Japan and other IAEA Member States, as well as to coordinate the delivery of international assistance, should Japan or other affected countries request it.

The video statement can be accessed here

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1340 CET, 12 March 2011 Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has informed the IAEA's Incident and Emergency Centre (IEC) that there has been an explosion at the Unit 1 reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, and that they are assessing the condition of the reactor core.

The explosion was reported to NISA by the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), at 0730 CET. Further details were not immediately available.

Japanese authorities have extended the evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi plant to a 20-kilometre radius from the previous 10 kilometres. At the nearby Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant, the evacuation zone has been extended to a 10-kilometre radius from the previous three kilometres.

The authorities also say they are making preparations to distribute iodine to residents in the area of both the plants.

The IAEA has reiterated its offer of technical assistance to Japan, should the government request this. The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities, and is in full response mode to monitor the situation closely around the clock as it evolves.

SNAPSHOT-Developments after major Japan earthquake, 12 Mar 2011

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 12 Mar 2011

12 Mar 2011 22:05

(* indicates a new or updated entry)

TOKYO, March 12 (Reuters) - Following are main developments after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northeast Japan on Friday and set off a tsunami.

- More than 1,800 people likely dead or missing from the quake and tsunami, Kyodo news agency says.

- Kyodo reports 10,000 people in one town unreachable.

Read the full article on AlertNet.

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

Pacific Tsunami and Japan earthquake, Factsheet #2

Source: United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Date: 12 Mar 2011

Full_Report (pdf* format - 54.9 Kbytes)

03.12.11 - USAID-DCHA Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Map - FY 2011 (pdf* format - 463.7 Kbytes)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated March 11, 2011.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- On the morning of March 12, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cancelled the tsunami warning for all countries in the Pacific region. In addition, USAID/OFDA field staff reported no significant damage in the Central and South America and regions and Europe, with no requests for international assistance.

- As of 1000 hours Eastern Standard Time (EST) on March 12, or 0000 hours local time on March 13, the Government of Japan (GoJ) National Police Agency (NPA) reported that the earthquake resulted in 686 deaths, 642 missing persons, and 1,426 injured people. International media sources report estimates of 1,700 deaths, with more than 10,000 individuals missing. In addition, the earthquake damaged or destroyed nearly 13,000 buildings throughout northeastern Japan. Approximately 25 aftershocks measuring more than 6.0 on the Richter Scale have occurred near Honshu Island since the 8.9 magnitude earthquake occurred on March 11.

- International media sources reported an explosion at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant—located approximately 160 miles northeast of Tokyo—at approximately 0130 hours EST, or 1530 hours local time, on March 12. GoJ officials have evacuated all residents within a 12-mile radius of the Fukushima 1 and a 6-mile radius of Fukushima 2 plant, according to international media sources.

- On March 11, USAID activated a Washington, D.C.-based Response Management Team to coordinate the U.S. Government (USG) humanitarian response to the earthquake and resulting tsunami. In addition, U.S. Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos declared a disaster due to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami. In response, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) to Japan to respond to the humanitarian crisis. At the request of the GoJ, USAID also deployed, as part of the USAID/DART, two urban search and rescue (USAR) teams from Fairfax and Los Angeles counties. The teams traveled with rescue dogs and have emergency medical and water rescue capabilities.

- On March 11, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to assist with local relief efforts. In addition, USAID/OFDA is also providing more than $640,000 to support USAID/DART response activities in Japan.

- InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, has compiled a listing of organizations accepting donations for response. The American Red Cross (ARC) announced capacity to receive donations through individual texts containing the message "redcross" sent to 90999.

Full_Report (pdf* format - 54.9 Kbytes)

03.12.11 - USAID-DCHA Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Map - FY 2011 (pdf* format - 463.7 Kbytes)

(*) Get Adobe Acrobat Viewer (free)

NRC experts deploy to Japan as part of US government response

Source: Government of the United States of America

Date: 12 Mar 2011

Two officials from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission with expertise in boiling water nuclear reactors have deployed to Japan as part of a U.S. International Agency for International Development (USAID) team. USAID is the federal government agency primarily responsible for providing assistance to countries recovering from disaster.

"We have some of the most expert people in this field in the world working for the NRC and we stand ready to assist in any way possible," said Chairman Gregory Jaczko.

The NRC has stood up its Maryland-based headquarters Operations Center since the beginning of the emergency in Japan, and is operating on a 24-hour basis.

The NRC will not provide information on the status of that country's nuclear power plants. Check the NRC web site or blog for the latest information on NRC actions. Other sources of information include:

USAID -- www.usaid.gov

U.S. Dept. of State -- www.state.gov

FEMA -- www.fema.gov

White House -- www.whitehouse.gov

Nuclear Energy Institute -- www.nei.org

International Atomic Energy Agency -- www.iaea.org/press/

For background information on generic operations at a boiling-water reactor, including an animated graphic, visit the NRC's website at www.nrc.gov.

IAEA update on Japan Earthquake 0235 CET, 13 March 2011 -- CORRECTED

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Date: 13 Mar 2011

An earlier version of this release incorrectly described pressure venting actions at Units 1, 2, and 4 at the Fukushima Daini nuclear power plant. Venting did not occur at these units.

Japanese authorities have informed the IAEA that Units 1, 2, and 4 at the Fukushima Daini retain off-site power. Daini Unit 3 is in a safe, cold shutdown, according to Japanese officials.

Japanese authorities have reported some casualties to nuclear plant workers. At Fukushima Daichi, four workers were injured by the explosion at the Unit 1 reactor, and there are three other reported injuries in other incidents. In addition, one worker was exposed to higher-than-normal radiation levels that fall below the IAEA guidance for emergency situations. At Fukushima Daini, one worker has died in a crane operation accident and four others have been injured.

In partnership with the World Meteorological Organization, the IAEA is providing its member states with weather forecasts for the affected areas in Japan. The latest predictions have indicated winds moving to the Northeast, away from Japanese coast over the next three days.

The IAEA continues to liaise with the Japanese authorities and is monitoring the situation as it evolves.

Offer of Assistance from Foreign Countries and Regions (Tohoku Pacific Earthquake): update March 13, 2011

Source: Government of Japan

Date: 13 Mar 2011

With regard to the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake, as of 9:00 on Saturday, March 13, 2011, Japan has received offers of assistance from the following 69 countries and regions and 5 international organizations (in no particular order).

Australia, Taiwan, United States of America, Republic of Korea, China, Mexico, Thailand, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, India, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Jordan, United Kingdom, European Union, Chile, Spain, Greece, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Denmark, Serbia, Uruguay, Mongolia, Ecuador, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Argentine, Philippines, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Kosovo, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Luxemburg, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Tadzhikistan, Djibouti, Oman, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, ASEAN, OCHA, IOM, WFP, UNICEF and ICRC.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

Acceptance of China rescue teams

Source: Government of Japan

Date: 13 Mar 2011

1.In response to the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake, the government of Japan decided to accept Chinese rescue team. The rescue team is scheduled to arrive at Haneda Airport this afternoon*.

2.The rescue team is composed of 15 personnel of China Earthquake Administration. Their arrival therein is being finalized.

3.From the Government of China, we have received messages from Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister YANG Jiechi to express condolences and sympathy, and that the Government and the people of China would extend necessary cooperation. The Government of Japan deeply appreciates the cooperation of the Government of China.

*The rescue team is scheduled to arrive at Haneda Airport on a chartered aircraft at 12:30, March 13, 2011.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

World rushes aid to quake-hit Japan

Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

Date: 13 Mar 2011

PARIS — International rescue teams were rushing to Japan Sunday after a 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami left more than 1,000 dead, at least 10,000 missing and seriously damaged a nuclear power plant.

The world has rallied behind Japan, where tsunami waves up to 10 metres (33 feet) high rolled across the low-lying northeast on Friday, washing away everything in their path.

US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived off the coast of Japan early Sunday to provide logistical support for Japanese forces.

Japan has asked it to refuel its helicopters and help transport its troops to affected areas, the US Pacific Fleet said on its Facebook page.

A 144-member rescue team of the US Agency for International Development was also due at Misawa, northern Japan, later Sunday, to join inland operations, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

They included 12 dogs trained to detect victims trapped under rubble and about 150 tonnes of rescue equipment, USAID said.

With more than 1,000 people feared dead and authorities scrambling to bring reactors under control at two nuclear plants, Japanese officials have asked other nations to provide sniffer dogs to help search for trapped survivors.

Australia, South Korea and Singapore on Saturday all pledged to send dogs and search and rescue teams, as they also offered their condolences to Tokyo.

On Sunday, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said they had offered self-contained field hospitals and disaster victim identification teams to help in the process of both rescuing survivors and recovering bodies.

They had also offered the expertise of nuclear specialists to help address the threat from the damaged power station, he added.

And two experts from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission were headed for Japan, the commission announced Saturday.

Japan reported that an estimated 200,000 people had been evacuated so far from the areas around the Fukushima No.1 and No. 2 nuclear plants, the UN atomic watchdog said.

After an explosion at the plant's No. 1 reactor Saturday afternoon despite efforts to control high temperatures and growing inside pressure, the operator said Sunday another reactor was at risk.

In a message to the Japanese prime minister the Dalai Lama, who has a huge following among Japanese Buddhists, expressed his "sadness" at the catastrophe and praised Japan's high level of disaster preparedness for saving lives.

And Britain's Queen Elizabeth II sent her "heartfelt sympathy" in a message to Japan's Emperor Akihito.

After the European Union vowed to get aid to Japan Friday, many member states were quick to make their contribution.

From Britain, a 59-strong search and rescue team was headed for Japan Sunday, with two rescue dogs, a medical support unit -- and 11 tonnes of specialist rescue equipment including heavy lifting and cutting gear.

France said it was sending two civil security teams to help with rescue efforts.

The Japanese Red Cross on Saturday sent 62 emergency teams to rescue victims of the earthquake, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said from its Geneva headquarters.

Around 400 doctors, nurses and other experts had been deployed to help victims of the disaster using mobile clinics, the federation added.

China's Red Cross also pledged 1 million yuan ($150,000) to its Japanese counterpart, state media reported.

The Afghan province of Kandahar announced $50,000 in aid.

And a 66-strong Japanese team which has spent more than two weeks searching the rubble left by last month's 6.3-magnitude quake in Christchurch in New Zealand was due back home to confront the unfolding tragedy.

The United Nations said Japan had also accepted help from Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.

Rescue teams from another 39 countries were on standby, it added.

A team from the United Nations Disaster and Assessment body (UNDAC) was on the way.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved. ©AFP: The information provided in this product is for personal use only. None of it may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express permission of Agence France-Presse.

FACTBOX - Aid and rescue offers for Japan quake

March 13 (Reuters) - The international community started sending disaster relief teams on Sunday to help Japan after it suffered a massive earthquake and tsunami, with the United Nations sending a group to help co-ordinate work.

Following is a list of aid offers.

REad the full story on the AlertNet.

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

Deaths in Japan quake, tsunami may top 10,000-NHK

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 13 Mar 2011

March 13 (Reuters) - The death toll from the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan could top 10,000, national broadcaster NHK quoted a police official as saying.

"The death toll is almost certain to rise above 10,000," said Naoto Takeuchi, chief of Miyagi prefecture's policy force, according to NHK.

Read the full story on the AlertNet.

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

SNAPSHOT-Developments after major Japan earthquake

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 13 Mar 2011

* indicates a new or updated entry)

TOKYO, March 13 (Reuters) - Following are main developments after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northeast Japan on Friday and set off a tsunami.

* Death toll expected to exceed 10,000 from the quake and tsunami, public broadcaster NHK says. Strong aftershocks persisting in the stricken area.

- Kyodo reports 10,000 people in one town unreachable.

* Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) says radiation levels at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have risen above the safety limit but says this posed no "immediate threat" to human health. An explosion blew the roof off at reactor No. 1.

Read the full article on the AlertNet.

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

La Suisse envoie une équipe de recherche et d’évaluation au Japon

Source: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Date: 12 Mar 2011

Après une demande officielle du gouvernement japonais le DFAE a décidé d'envoyer une équipe de recherche et d'évaluation dans la zone sinistrée japonaise. Cette équipe est constituée de 25 spécialistes et de neuf chiens de sauvetage.

L'équipe de recherche et d'évaluation arrivera dimanche matin tôt au Japon. Elle est formée de 25 spécialistes suisses et de neuf chiens de sauvetage. L'équipe sera déployée en deux groupes distincts au Japon.

Le premier groupe a pour mission de rechercher à l'aide des chiens de sauvetage et d'appareils de repérage les personnes ensevelies sous les débris. Elle sera vraisemblablement engagée principalement dans la région frappée par le tsunami. Le deuxième groupe a pour mission de clarifier les besoins les plus urgents, y compris dans le domaine de l'environnement, d'assurer la coordination sur place avec les autorités, et de mettre en œuvre des premières mesures d'aide d'urgence.

Deux spécialistes du Corps suisse d'aide humanitaire (CSA) déployés de Pékin arriveront au Japon samedi soir déjà.

L'envoi d'une équipe de recherche et d'évaluation répond à une demande d'aide du gouvernement japonais, auquel la Suisse avait rapidement offert son assistance après le tremblement de terre et le tsunami qui s'en est suivi.

La direction de l'aide humanitaire de la Confédération est en contact permanent avec les autorités japonaises, les Nations Unies, les pays partenaires et la représentation suisse sur place.

La représentation suisse à Tokyo sera en outre renforcée avec trois collaborateurs supplémentaires envoyés par la Cellule de crise du DFAE.

Département fédéral des affaires étrangères

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/home/recent/media.html

Save the Children launches appeal for £1 million for children in Japan

Source: Save the Children

Date: 13 Mar 2011

As the full extent of the devastation left by Friday's earthquake and Tsunami become clear, Save the Children launches an appeal for £1 million to help support and protect the children of Japan.

Recent reports show several villages now under water with at least one city completely destroyed. Due to the fears of an explosion near the nuclear plant, 215,000 people are reported to have been evacuated and to have spent the night without electricity and water. The total number of casualties has not yet been determined and many areas of destruction have still not been reached due to devastated infrastructure in the aftermath of the disaster.

Steve McDonald, leading Save the Children's emergency response in Japan said, "Children in Japan have survived through a major quake, a lethal Tsunami and some have even lived through fires and fears of explosions. We know from experience that, especially with the ongoing aftershocks still being felt here and fears of another Tsunami, children will be terrified and desperately in need of structured help and care. From today, Save the Children will be scaling up so that we can help provide that care and reduce the long term negative effects that such a chronic disaster can leave on children in their formative years. Without financial help, we simply won't be able to reach these children fast enough."

Save the Children has launched the appeal for £1 million to do the following:

- Deliver psychosocial support to help overcome the shock and stress that the disaster and devastation left in its aftermath will have dealt children in Japan

- Set up child friendly spaces to provide a protective environment where children can spend time with other children and trained teachers. This service also allows parents much needed time that they can dedicate to investigating food sources, work, accommodation and locating other friends and family

- Monitor the nuclear power plant & prepare contingency plans for any future changes

Save the Children has staff in Tokyo and heading to Sendai in Japan. Working with the Japanese government's very sophisticated response system already in place, the charity has deployed teams to the most affected areas between Miyagi Prefecture and Tokyo to assess the situation for children and ensure that children's needs are prioritized.

To donate towards this appeal, and help deliver much needed protection and support for children in Japan, please go to www.savethechildren.org.uk OR call 0207 012 6400

Japan: World Vision responds to quake and tsunami

Source: World Vision

Date: 12 Mar 2011

By World Vision staff

As the impact of the most powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami begins to be understood, World Vision is responding.

"We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country's history. We will have so many challenges as we plan to conduct a relief operation to help respond to the needs of the affected children who are most vulnerable during this time," said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision's humanitarian and emergency affairs manager in Japan.

Death tolls and the numbers of those missing continue to climb. Entire villages were washed away. Hundreds of thousands are displaced. Hardest hit are coastal areas of north-eastern part of the country.

Ban said, "World Vision will be deploying three staff to the quake zone to assess the impact and identify immediate needs of the survivors. We are responding with an initial budget of US$400,000 for an initial one month period and appreciate the assistance from the partnership to mount our operation."

World Vision plans to distribute daily necessities after the assessment has been done. Child Friendly Spaces will also be considered as a psycho-social response to the children who faced such a traumatic situation.

Meanwhile, all World Vision staff are accounted for and the World Vision building was not affected.

"Our prayers and that of the partnership are for the survivors as well as everyone impacted by the calamity," said Ban.

In the immediate wake of the quake and tsunami yesterday, all the major transportation means like trains and highways were stopped in major affected cities. Electricity was cut off for about 7,000,000 households while telecommunications was down.

World Vision responded to the massive Kobe earthquake in 1995 that claimed 5,500 lives.

Chinese rescue team arrives in Japan for quake relief

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Date: 13 Mar 2011

A Chinese rescue team arrived in Japan Sunday for quake relief operations.

An Air China charter plane, carrying the 15-member team, arrived at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

The Chinese International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) brought with them four tons of materials and equipment for search and rescue, power supply and telecommunication.

The rescuers will immediately head for quake-hit areas to search for survivors from Friday's great earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

Editor: Lu Hui

Millions face worsening crisis in quake-hit Japan

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 13 Mar 2011

By Chris Meyers

SENDAI, Japan, March 13 (Reuters) - Japan faced a growing humanitarian crisis on Sunday after its devastating earthquake and tsunami left millions of people without water, electricity, homes or heat.

As officials predicted the death toll could top 10,000, the country mobilised a rescue effort to deliver food, water and fuel, and pull stranded survivors from buildings and damaged homes. More than 350,000 people had been evacuated.

Read the full article on the AlertNet

For more humanitarian news and analysis, please visit www.trust.org/alertnet

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Massive quake unleashes tsunami on Japan

Source: Agence France-Presse (AFP)

Date: 11 Mar 2011

By Miwa Suzuki (AFP) – 2 hours ago

TOKYO — A massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Friday, unleashing a monster 10-metre high tsunami that sent ships crashing into the shore and carried cars through the streets of coastal towns.

Many injuries were reported from Pacific coastal areas of the main Honshu island and the capital Tokyo, police said, while TV footage showed widespread flooding in the area. One person was confirmed dead.

A powerful 10-metre (33 feet) wall of water was reported in Sendai in northeastern Miyagi prefecture, media reported after a four-metre wave hit the coast earlier.

Helicopter footage showed massive inundation in northern coastal towns, where floods of black water sent shipping containers, cars and debris crashing through towns.

Mud waves were shown racing upstream along the Natori river in Sendai city, blanketing farm fields.

In the capital, where millions evacuated strongly swaying buildings, multiple injuries were reported when the roof of a hall collapsed during a graduation ceremony, police said.

Plumes of smoke rose from at least 10 locations in city, where four million homes suffered power outages. Port areas were flooded, including the carpark of Tokyo Disneyland.

The first quake struck just under 400 kilometres (250 miles) northeast of Tokyo, the US Geological Survey said. It was followed by several aftershocks, one as strong as 7.1.

"We were shaken so strongly for a while that we needed to hold on to something in order not to fall," said an official at the local government of the hardest-hit city of Kurihara in Miyagi prefecture.

"We couldn't escape the building immediately because the tremors continued... City officials are now outside, collecting information on damage," she told AFP by telephone.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan quickly assembled his cabinet after the quake hit, and the government quickly dispatched naval vessels from near Tokyo to the worst-hit northeastern area of Miyagi.

The quake, which hit at 14:46 pm (0546 GMT) and lasted about two minutes, strongly rattled buildings in greater Tokyo, the world's largest urban area and home to some 30 million people.

At least 10 fires were reported in Tokyo, where the subway system stopped, sirens wailed and people streamed out of buildings.

Japan sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", which is dotted with volcanoes, and Tokyo is situated in one of its most dangerous areas.

A tsunami warning was issued for Japan, Taiwan, Russia and the Mariana Islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicentre within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the centre said in a statement.

It also put the territories of Guam, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Micronesia and Hawaii under a lower tsunami watch. Indonesia issued its own tsunami warning.

The quake sent the Nikkei share index plunging at the close while the yen fell sharply against the US dollar.

The mega-city of Tokyo sits on the intersection of three continental plates -- the Eurasian, Pacific and Philippine Sea plates -- which are slowly grinding against each other, building up enormous seismic pressure.

The government's Earthquake Research Committee has warned of a 70 percent chance that a great, magnitude-eight quake will strike within the next 30 years in the Kanto plains, home to Tokyo's vast urban sprawl.

The last time a "Big One" hit Tokyo was in 1923, when the Great Kanto Earthquake claimed more than 140,000 lives, many of them in fires. In 1855, the Ansei Edo quake also devastated the city.

In 1995 Kobe earthquake killed more then 6,400 people.

More than 220,000 people were killed when a 9.1-magnitude quake hit off Indonesia in 2004, unleashing a massive tsunami that devastated coastlines in countries around the Indian Ocean as far away as Africa.

Small quakes are felt every day somewhere in Japan and people take part in regular drills at schools and workplaces to prepare for a calamity.

Nuclear power plants and bullet trains are designed to automatically shut down when the earth rumbles and many buildings have been quake-proofed with steel and ferro-concrete at great cost in recent decades.

Huge tsunami slams coastal Japan after 8.9 magnitude quake

Source: Reuters - AlertNet

Date: 11 Mar 2011

11 Mar 2011 08:04

* Japan says chances of more tsunamis

* Refineries, nuclear plants, Narita airport, trains shut

* PM Kan to hold news conference after cabinet meets

* Central bank says to ensure financial market stability

* Yen falls to 2-week low v/s USD, shares end at 5-wk low (Adds links)

* By Chris Gallagher and Linda Sieg

See Full Article in Alertnet's website: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/huge-tsunami-slams-coastal-japan-after-89-magnitude-quake/

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