Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: CWS Emergency Appeal

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Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: CWS
Emergency Appeal

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

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

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/3/17/serious_danger_of_a_full_core