After a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s east coast on Friday March 11
and triggered a massive 10-metre tsunami, entire towns, ships and even fighter planes were swept away. The
epicenter is about 231 miles (373km) North East of Tokyo at a depth of 10km.

More than 10,000 people in the Miyagi prefecture alone are feared dead, and millions of survivors are left
without drinking water, food and electricity. All the major transportation and telecommunications means are
disrupted in major affected cities, and people are stuck in their offices and at train stations. Electricity is cut
off for about 7,000,000 households. Major aftershocks are expected in the coming days.

“We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country’s history,” agreed Kenjiro Ban, World Vision’s
Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager. Ban is part of a World Vision assessment team who has just arrived in the quake zone this morning whose immediate priority is to assess the needs of survivors and prepare supplies
and programmes to serve those rendered homeless. The team brought baby supplies, warm clothing, food and
daily necessities with them for distribution.

World Vision also plans to establish one or more child-friendly spaces, designed for children affected by
disasters to resume normal childhood activities and experience structure and security that are disrupted
during emergencies. World Vision has worked in Japan for more than two decades and also responded to the
massive Kobe earthquake in 1995 that claimed 5,500 lives.

“During calamities like this, children are most vulnerable as they are often the least informed, least prepared,
and most traumatised victims. We hope to be able to garner support from Singaporeans to lend a hand to the
brave Japanese who have remained calm and stoic in the face of this unprecedented catastrophe,” said James
Quek, Executive Director of World Vision Singapore.

“Our offices in Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands are on alert and staff in
coastal areas have been advised,” said Geoff Shepherd, World Vision’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs
Director for the Asia-Pacific region. “We’ve also alerted our Global Rapid Response Team and have put team
members on standby for possible deployment to affected areas. This could be a very serious disaster in
multiple countries and our staff are prepared to respond.”

In the wake of a disaster, World Vision is often one of the first organisations to begin relief work by
distributing pre-positioned emergency supplies and sending highly-trained staff to assess and respond to the
most urgent needs. World Vision remains on the ground for the long haul, rebuilding communities and
restoring hope.

Please send aid to Japan today by visiting www.worldvision.org.sg/japandisaster

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by
tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
www.worldvision.org.sg

Tags: Japan Tsunami, Japan Tsunami Singapore aid, Japan Tsunami Singapore charities, Sendai earthquake, WorldVision

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