World Vision launches appeal for unfolding humanitarian crisis in Japan

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

World Vision Australia today launched an appeal to assist more than half a million people displaced by the powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan on Friday 11 March. 

World Vision’s assessment team arrived in the worst hit region on Sunday to gauge the damage and the immediate needs of the survivors. 

One of the assessment team members Mitsuko Sobata said the areas impacted by the earthquake and tsunami were unrecognisable and that many people, especially children, were in urgent need of assistance.

“We’d seen the pictures before we left Tokyo, of course, but standing there in Sendai, the scale of the disaster really hit me,” she said. “To think; so many communities washed away, so many thousands of people, from right where we were standing. It was so much to take in. And the worst thing was that it was so quiet.” 

World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello said the scale of the disaster had prompted World Vision Australia to launch an appeal. 

“Reports from our assessment team indicate that a humanitarian disaster is unfolding on many fronts with a lack of power and fuel, dwindling food and water supplies, freezing conditions, limited shelter and the growing nuclear threat,” he said.

“World Vision’s greatest concern at the moment are the children who have been affected by this disaster. Many children may have been separated from their parents or orphaned. The window of opportunity to reach and support these children is critical and will be an important part of World Vision’s response.
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“While Japan is a developed country with its own emergency services, the coastal regions near the epicentre of the earthquake have been wiped off the map. The devastation and urgent humanitarian need is overwhelming and would stretch the capacity of any country. 

“Although we have experienced multiple disasters over the past few months, I believe Australians will shrug off any compassion fatigue they’re feeling and will give generously to this disaster.”

World Vision is gathering essential supplies for distribution including water, blankets and food suitable for children and infants. Some of these supplies will be distributed immediately to 4,500 people in urgent need of help in the city of Tome, north of the City of Sendai. 

World Vision’s full response and emergency programming will be determined in the coming days.

World Vision will continue to work with the local authorities to gain a full understanding of the situation and the needs of the survivors. 

The public can help with donations of any amount by visiting www.worldvision.com.au or by calling 13 32 40.

Ends

To arrange interviews please contact World Vision media officer Sacha Myers on 0457 926 018, or media manager Bill Pheasant on 0413 701 028.

Media Releases, Emergencies, Asia and the Pacific, Disaster relief, Earthquake, Japan, Tim Costello, Tsunami

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