Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: CWS Emergency Appeal

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: CWS Emergency Appeal

> Wednesday, March 16, 2011

As the need for immediate relief supplies

increases following the recent disaster in Japan,
CWS's response centers on emergency relief
support to at least 5,000 families, about 25,000
individuals, now living at 100 evacuation sites
in the northeastern area of the country.
A family walks past rubble in Japan

A family walks past rubble after the earthquake
and tsunami in Minamisanriku City.  Photo: REUTERS, courtesy www.alertnet.o rg.
SITUATION:

Summary of events

On March 11, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck
the northeastern coast of Japan causing
widespread damage to infrastructure and human
life.  A massive earthquake-triggered tsunami
washed away several coastal cities.  The Japanese
government has described the destruction and
crisis as the "worst since World War II."

The reported death toll and missing combined as
of March 16 stands at 11,521 people with fear of
thousands more unaccounted for.  More than
460,000 people are now staying in evacuation
sites, where the number of people arriving
exceeds the capacity of space, food, water and toilets.

Explosions continue at the Fukushima-Daiichi
Nuclear Power Plant.  A 20 kilometer radius is
now considered as a "need to evacuate" zone.

> Immediate needs
> The two most immediate needs for affected
> families include rescue for those who are trapped
> and the mobilization of relief goods to
> evacuation sites.  Rescue interventions are
> primarily being carried out by the Self-Defense
> Force of Japan and other specialized agencies,
> including the Japan Rescue Association.  The
> Japanese government has requested international
> assistance in response to this massive disaster.

The need for relief supplies is increasing,

particularly in areas where the 460,000 displaced
people are now living.  These sites are reporting
a lack of food, water and electricity, as well as
blankets and stoves, which are critical given the
current cold and freezing temperatures in the affected regions.
RESPONSE:

CWS's response centers on emergency relief

support to at least 5,000 families, 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.  Assistance will include immediately
required food items and non-food items through a
partnership with the Japan Platform, known by the
acronym JPF.  CWS will focus on evacuation sites
where basic needs of food, water, sanitation,
electricity and fuel are not being met.  These
sites are presently being prioritized and identified by JPF.

The CWS response will include ready-to-eat food
to meet calorie requirements of those living in
evacuation sites.  In addition, the response team
will distribute sanitation kits, including
napkins and soap to fill significant sanitation
and hygiene gaps.  Water consumption requirements
at evacuation sites will be addressed, and one
potential substitute for water could include
prepared green tea.  Blankets, accessed from
sources from within the region, are being
prioritized to help protect people from the cold,
which is becoming an increasingly dire problem as
fuel and gas supplies are running out.  In order
to maintain radio contact at evacuation sites,
batteries will be supplied to support victims
receiving vital news on nuclear and radiation
related developments, information collection and
communications.  Gas and fuel supplies will also
be provided to evacuation sites.

Relief efforts will be carried out by member
non-governmental organizations of the JPF and
will be coordinated with other humanitarian
agencies as well as local
authorities.  Assistance will be delivered based
upon Sphere minimum standards in terms of calorie
consumption requirements, water consumption
requirements and appropriate sanitation
measures.  The CWS Asia/Pacific head of
emergencies will be stationed in Tokyo this week
to coordinate the response along with CWS team on
the ground.  Relief items will be accessed within the Asia/Pacific region.

Additional updates will be sent out from the field in coming days/weeks.

CWS is also coordinating with Japanese

organizations that have been involved in previous
international ACT Alliance disaster responses,
including the National Council of Churches in
Japan, the United Church of Christ in Japan and Asia Volunteer Center.

BUDGET:  Total: $2,590,450.  This includes

$900,000 for food; $50,000 for sanitation kits;
$675,000 for water/green tea; $375,000 for
blankets; $80,000 for logistics; $20,000 for
batteries; $400,000 for gas/fuel supplies; and
$90,450, for CWS and partner operational costs.

HOW TO HELP:  Contributions to support CWS

emergency response efforts may be made online,
sent to your denomination, or to Church World
Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.  (Appeal #699-Y)

Church World Service is a member of the ACT

Alliance, a global coalition of churches and
agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.

Media Contact:

Lesley Crosson, 212-870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526, jdragin@gis.net