Japan Tsunami Snapshot. Click photo to enlarge.

Overview

A powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Friday (March 11) at 1446 local time (0546 GMT), unleashing massive tsunami waves that crashed into Japan’s northeastern coast of Honshu, the largest and main island of Japan, resulting in widespread damage and destruction. According to the Government of Japan (GoJ) as of Friday (March 18), at least 6,400 people are confirmed dead, and over 10,000 people are reported to be missing, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. Many more people are unaccounted for. There are no new figures for the number of missing but the UN reported Thursday (March 17) that 2,285 people were injured. Casualty numbers are likely to increase as emergency teams continue to reach and assess affected areas. The earthquake sparked widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the shallow quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 km) (20 km deep according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency), around 80 miles (125 km) off the eastern coast of Japan, and 240 miles (380 km) northeast of Tokyo. There have been more than 290 aftershocks recorded since Friday (March 11).

Japan Tsunami Snapshot. Click photo to enlarge.

The GoJ says that some 10,000 remain stranded in Iwate and 6,500 in Miyagi. OCHA says more than 100 helicopters have been mobilized by the Japan Self Defense Force (SDF) and the coast guard for search and rescue and to date more than 26,000 survivors have been found.

NOTE: Reactor 1, 2 and 3 are stabilized.

Key Concerns:

  • GoJ raises nuclear alert level to 5 on the 7-Level scale of the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
  • UN says logistics remains biggest challenge at this stage. Officials have mobilized a large amount of aid but have been unable to get the aid to the affected quickly mostly due to fuel shortages and a lack of transport vehicles.
  • The number of people in evacuation centers has decreased slightly to around 390,000 from the 430,000 previously reported. According to OCHA, conditions appear to be worsening due to lack of food, water, medicine, medical staff and heating. Of particular concern is the elderly as an estimated quarter of Japan’s population is over 65.
  • SAR teams continuing activities in cooperation with Japanese counterparts but focus is shifting towards recovery. Cold weather, including snow, poor communications, debris on roads and a shortage of fuel is hampering operations.

Request for international assistance

Japan has asked for international help to deal with the disaster. The GoJ has so far received offers of assistance from 113 countries, 14 international organizations and has accepted assistance from 14 countries on assessed needs, mostly in specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams and medical teams. Search and rescue teams are continuing their activities in cooperation with their Japanese counterparts with the focus now on recovery. There are now some 543 international SAR specialists (14 teams) from 12 countries. The teams report weather conditions, low fuel, debris and poor communications are hampering their operations. Teams are also monitoring radiation levels for safety and are working outside the 80 km exclusion zone around the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Some teams are preparing to wrap up their missions as the focus turns to recovery. UNDAC said three teams from Germany, Singapore and Switzerland have closed their camps and are returning to home (OCHA, March 18)

The GoJ has so far not requested support from UN agencies, however, a 9-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, is supporting the GoJ with information management, the deployment of USAR team and international offers of assistance received by the GoJ.

International NGOs are being urged to wait until SAR operations are finished before starting activities. The GoJ says SAR operations still continue in affected areas and access to those areas is limited to rescue workers. The GoJ says that therefore, international NGOs are urged to wait until the situation improves so that they are able to conduct their activities in a self-sustainable way.

With regard to relief items, the GoJ says it is identifying needs and establishing a mechanism for storage and transportation to the affected. The GoJ says it is recommended not to send any relief goods without coordination with the GoJ. (OCHA, March 18)

The GoJ welcomes financial donations and asks Member States to donate through the Japanese Red Cross (JRC). Japan’s overseas missions will also accept relief funds and channel them to the JRC.

Impact

The March 11 quake was the largest recorded quake in Japan’s history and the fourth largest in the world since 1900. Japan’s worst previous quake was an 8.3 magnitude quake in 1923 (Great Kanto Earthquake) that left some 143,000 dead. A 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Kobe in 1995 (Great Hanshin Earthquake) left some 6,400 dead. The Japanese Meteorological Agency is referring to the March 11 quake as “The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake.”

Worst-affected areas are the prefectures (states) of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Yamagata, Ibaraki, Chiba, Akita and Aomori in Japan’s northeast. The tsunami caused severe damage along some 600 km of coastal region and went in as far as 7 km inland. along Japan’s northeastern coast. Large coastal areas have been submerged and villages washed away. The population in these areas before the disaster was estimated at over 14.8 million people, of which 1.6 million lived within 5 kilometers of the coast. Particularly hit hard are areas near the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture, with a population of some 1 million people.

The initial tsunami that swept over Japan’s northeastern coast was reportedly as high as 33 feet at the port of Sendai. The prefecture capital is located some 180 miles (300 km) from Tokyo. Sendai was located 128 km from the epicenter. Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported that the highest tsunami wave on the day of the quake was 15 meters high in Mekawa, Miyagi (UNOCHA, Mar-17).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that 400 foreigners are reported missing by their Embassies in relation to the disaster. Some 48,000 foreign nationals are currently registered as living in Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Yamagata, Akita and Aomori prefectures. According to the UN, many are Chinese, with some from Australia and South America.

On Thursday, the Japan Times reported that the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said the number of damaged and destroyed buildings has reached 100,396. Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) reports that 827 roads, 47 bridges, and seven railways were damaged. The NPA also reported more than 65 landslides throughout the country. The NPA reported March 15 that at least 128 roads and 21 bridges damaged have been repaired.

The GoJ has announced temporary power cuts across the nation, following the reduction in output or the closure of 11 of 50 nuclear generators located in affected areas. The government warned that rolling blackouts would begin March 14 as electricity supply is unlikely to keep up with demand and are expected to last until at least the end of April. According to OCHA, some 373,748 households, or approximately 1 million people are without power, versus the previous day when 451,786 households were without electricity. (OCHA, March 18)

Coordination

GoJ’s Emergency Management Agencies lead the response through the Emergency Response Team, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating all offers of assistance.

According to the UN, the GoJ has created a task force for livelihood support which will coordinate ministries, municipalities, private sector and other organizations. Its responsibilities include ensuring aid reaches evacuation centers, transport of relief items, construction of emergency shelters, waste disposal and the recovery of bodies and burial. (OCHA, Mar-18)

The GoJ announced the establishment of a Volunteers Coordination Unit under the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Office which will coordinate activities of volunteer groups and non-profit organizations. (OCHA, March 17)

The UNDAC team is supporting the GoJ with information management and supporting the international USAR teams. MapAction is supporting the UNDAC team with mapping. The team is based at JICA Tokyo International Center. UNDAC can be contacted at: [email protected]

Logistics

UN says logistics remains the biggest challenge at this stage. Officials have mobilized a large amount of aid but have been unable to get the aid to the affected quickly, mostly due to fuel shortages as six out of nine oil factories in Kanto and Tohoku areas have broken down, as well as a lack of transport vehicles. In the three worst-affected prefectures, Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima, only 4.7 percent of petrol station supplies are for non-emergency vehicles. Some 700 additional tankers are being mobilized to deliver fuel to petrol stations in affected areas. (OCHA, Mar-18)

According to the UN, the GoJ is trying to address the fuel shortage using sea, land and SDF transport. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced an emergency response plan involving the redirection of 38,000 kilolitres per day of fuel from oil refinery factories in Hokkaido and western Japan. 38,000 kilolitres was the average per day demand of fuel in the Tohoku area pre-disaster. METI is planning to transfer 300 tanker vehicles operating in western Japan to the Tohoku area and 100 out of 500 fuel stations will supply emergency vehicles carrying relief items. METI has also requested the oil refinery industry to increase production from the current level of 80% capacity to 95% capacity.

According to the media, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced that 94% of the main roads reaching to the affected coastal areas have been repaired. Two main highways are still reserved for emergency vehicles only.

The UN says that roads, airports and ports are being gradually repaired and the Tohoku Expressway and Sendai airport, which was submerged, are open to emergency vehicles and planes and helicopters for humanitarian flights. According to OCHA, massive amounts of debris are being removed in the cleanup operation.

Six sea ports which were damaged by the earthquake and tsunami have resumed their operations. 13 airports in the affected areas are open for scheduled and chartered flights. (OCHA, March 18)

GoJ says that supplies from around Japan will be collected at the SDFs Matsushima Air base in Matsushima, Miyagi prefecture and other bases near the affected areas. (Yomiuri, March 18)

Because of logistical challenges hampering relief efforts to evacuation centers in affected areas, the GoJ on March 16 announced a plan for managing and delivering relief items: Evacuation centers will send requests to municipalities, and the prefecture will consolidate these requests and liaise with the national government. Then, the national government will request relief items and food from the private sector and other municipalities, which will be consolidated at SDF sites and transported by the SDF to affected areas. (OCHA, Mar 17)

Requested by the GoJ, All Nippon Airways (ANA) Group agreed for a month to provide support in transporting humanitarian personnel and relief items free of charge. (OCHA, Mar 17)

Shelter

More than 390,000 people have been evacuated from the most affected provinces in around 2,100 shelters. The municipalities of 27 prefectures across the country are preparing temporary shelters for evacuees. As of Thursday (March 17) 15,000 people have moved to 27 prefectures. The receiving prefectures will make available approximately 6,700 houses/apartments. (OCHA, Kyodo March 18)

According to Kyodo, Miyagi governor Yoshihiro Murai called on survivors to move to other prefectures due to the lack of short-term housing. The planned relocation will last around six months to a year until the construction of temporary housing has been completed. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano also said that the GoJ is considering transferring survivors at evacuation centers in Tohoku region to other areas.

Evacuees are facing a lack of food, water, medicine, heating and conditions are exacerbated by the cold weather. There are also reports by national media of the increasing danger of flu, other respiratory diseases and gastroenteritis.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has ordered 600 temporary shelters to be built within two weeks. Another 4,200 shelters will be constructed in four weeks and 30,000 shelters in two months, according to the UN.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that in addition to designated shelters, an increasing number of informal shelters have sprung up in Sendai city.

Health

According to media reports, hospitals in affected areas are unable to function due to lack of medicines, fuel and water, the UN reported.

According to OCHA, the GoJ is preparing to receive medical help from overseas for the thousands injured. Although it is illegal for doctors without Japanese medical licenses to practice, the Health Ministry has sent a notice to local governments in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures saying minor procedures may be taken by foreign doctors.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) will take the lead in providing essential health services and assistance for vulnerable populations. The ministry is also asking for treatment to be made available for post-traumatic stress disorder among the affected.

The number of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) operating in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima is at 30. The MHLW has authorized the dispatch of health teams from other prefectures to Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. (OCHA, Mar-17)

Food

According to the Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters, 1.7 million meals have been delivered to evacuation centers and hospitals in the affected areas.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is coordinating with the private sector to mobilize food and water rations. MAFF is coordinating with organizations under its jurisdiction such as the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations to share its reserved fuel and stockpiles of food with hospitals. MAFF has requested the private sector for increased production of food products. (OCHA, March-16)

In Sendai, some shops are reopening to provide food to residents, while convenience stores in Tome, Miyagi have resumed business.

Non-Food Items (NFIs)

UNOCHA reports that a substantial amount of NFIs have been mobilized at logistics hubs close to affected areas, but getting the NFIs to affected populations is difficult because coordination and transportation is a challenge. Power outages are also affecting the production of basic items. (OCHA, Mar-17)

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

An estimated 1.8 million households (4.4 million people) do not have access to water across 12 prefectures, according to UNOCHA. (OCHA, Mar-18)The MHLW has been coordinating with 245 water companies to secure emergency water supply. Mobile latrines have been sent to Miyagi. The ministry has also sent 314 water supply vehicles to the most affected areas. (OCHA, March 16)

Communications

NEC Group is providing 24 hour support to affected prefectures, hospitals and private companies in the northeast to restore IT systems, the UN reported.

In Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, some 566,000 phone lines and 216,300 fiber optic connections remain out of service. Communication is down for more than 20,000 people in Minami-Sanriku-Cho and Matsuyama of Miyagi and Otsuchi in Iwate.

Status of nuclear power plants

The situation surrounding Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant remains critical, where since last Friday’s (March 11) 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami, five of the six nuclear power reactors have experienced varying degrees of emergency. Since Friday, radiation levels released and/or leaked from Daiichi reactors have significantly increased, causing widespread fears of radiological contamination. On Friday (March 18), Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) revised upward its evaluation of the severity of the situation at Fukushima Daiichi Unit No. 1-3 reactors by one notch to Level 5 on the 7-Level scale of the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). Level 5 rating implies an accident with wider consequences placing the severity at the same level as the Three Mile Island accident in the United States in 1979 in which the reactor had experienced severe core damage. Severity level for Daiichi Unit 4 reactor remains at 4. Meanwhile, authorities continue to dump water using helicopters, fire trucks and water cannons in an attempt to buy some time as the workers try to set new power lines to connect various facilities at the troubled plant to reactivate cooling pumps and emergency core cooling systems of the troubled reactors. If the cooling devices are not broken and the power is successfully restored, it will be a major step forward to stabilize the situation at Daiichi plant. Workers hope to restore power to all damaged facilities over the weekend. According to the data released by the plant operator TEPCO, a sample taken at the west gate of nuclear plant indicates that the radiation level has steadily dropped.

European Commission has advised its 27 member states to check levels of radioactivity in food imports from Japan as a preventive measure. South Korea and Taiwan are already checking all farm products from Japan for radioactive contamination as well as the radiation level of passengers arriving from Japan at airports. On Wednesday (March 16), GoJ instructed authorities in the affected region to check locally produced food, farms products for possible radioactive contamination.

Due to fears of the growing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plants some foreign countries have advised their nationals to consider leaving Tokyo and other affected areas, or to leave the country entirely. The US advised its nationals living within an 80-km radius of the plant to evacuate as a precaution (or to take shelter indoors if safe relocation is not possible), and the UK, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand followed suit. The US also “strongly urged” citizens to defer travel to Japan at this time. Singapore urged its nationals to move out of an area within a 100-km radius of the plant. Other countries such as Britain, Australia, France, Italy and Germany have advised their nationals to consider leaving Tokyo while Serbia and Croatia advised their citizens to leave Japan. On Tuesday, China became the first country to organize a mass evacuation of its nationals. The US State Department was arranging transport for US citizens in Japan who want to go to “safe-haven” locations in other parts of Asia. The UK Embassy said that the British government is chartering flights from Tokyo to Hong Kong to supplement commercially available options for those wishing to leave the country. Russia said that it would have families of staff at its Embassy and Consulate General depart from Japan by the end of the week.

Some Embassies have moved operations to elsewhere in the country, such as Germany and Australia, Panama, Austria and Nepal while the Embassies of Croatia, Kosovo, Bahrain, Angola, Liberia, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Iraq have temporarily closed. The Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau on Thursday said that an estimated 10,000 foreign nationals have left or are leaving the country. (OCHA, Kyodo, Japan Times, NHK, March 17-18)

 

Economic Damages

According to the World Bank (WB), initial estimates of economic losses range between US$15 billion and US$35 billion. Equecat, a risk consultancy, estimated over the weekend that economic losses would total more than US$100 billion. The 1995 Kobe earthquake caused some US$100 billion in damage and was the most expensive natural disaster in history, according to Reuters.

The WB reports that the northeastern region of Tohoku accounts for some 8 percent of the Japanese economy. WB says some economists predict the disaster will push the country into recession with hundreds of factories shut across the country.

On March 16, the Bank of Japan offered an additional 13.8 trillion yen (US$170 billion) to money markets, bringing the total to 55.6 trillion yen (US$696 billion) in emergency funds made available by the central bank to protect the nation’s banking system (Kyodo, Mar-16)

Government Response

Immediately following the disaster, the Government of Japan (GoJ) established an Emergency Response Team, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan. According to the Japan Times, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) swung into full action Saturday (Mar 12). All available SDF resources were mobilized for rescue efforts. The Ministry of National Defense has so far deployed 100,000 troops to lead the relief effort. More aid from the Japan Coast Guard and the Fire and Disaster Management Agency have rescued nearly 3,000 people, including 970 affected people stranded in isolated villages. To date there more than 72,400 JSDF personnel as well as fire service and the Japanese coast guard. (OCHA, USAID, Mar 15-18)

The Ministry of National Defense has so far deployed 96 helicopters, seven fixed wing aircraft and 58 naval ships. A total of 1,146 teams from the Ground Self-Defense Force and 40 teams from the Air Self-Defense Force are engaged in response operations. The GoJ officially decided Wednesday to dispatch SDF reserve personnel. It is the first deployment since the SDF was established in 1954. The Defense Minister says some 10,000 reservists will be called up, Kyodo news reported.

Various national agencies have provided personnel mobilized from prefectures for the relief operation. The National Police Agency (NPA) has also readied 1,115 police officers and seven helicopters, while the Fire and Disaster Management Agency has provided 2,588 personnel, including 19 air units. The National Police Agency has established call centers to provide guidance and support to help find missing family members. (OCHA, March 16)

A “Volunteers Coordination Unit” under the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Office was announced by the GoJ on Thursday (Mar 17). The new unit will coordinate the activities of volunteer groups and Non-Profit Organizations in support of victims in close consultation with relevant ministries, and will facilitate in information exchange among numerous organizations and allow coordinated action on the ground. (OCHA, Mar 17)

The GoJ declared a State of Nuclear Emergency on March 11 due to the threat posed by reactors in two Fukushima nuclear power plants, which prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents on Saturday (Mar 12). The central government sent senior officials and troops to the nuclear plant to help cope with the emergency. The GoJ asked UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to deploy a technical support team to the affected area. OCHA reports that the IAEA is coordinating international nuclear response support to Japan through the Response and Assistance Network (RANET). Requested by the GoJ, a US nuclear expert team is supporting Japanese counterparts in handling the emergency. (OCHA, Mar 15)

Information from the Government of Japan can be found at http://www.kantei.go.jp.

 

National Response

The following national NGOs are reportedly active in affected areas: JPF, Association for Aid and Relief (AAR), ADRA Japan, Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA), Civic Force, Japan Rescue Association, JEN, Japan International Food for the Hungry (JIFH), MSF, NICCO, Peace Winds Japan, Shizuoka Volunteer Center, the NGO collaboration center for Hanshin Quake rehabilitation, and World Vision Japan, distributing food and water, relief items, medical assistance and carrying out rescue activities. Other NGOs providing support are CARE Japan, KnK, Shanto Volunteer Association (SDVA), Plan Japan and Charity Platform.

Some NGOs are working through Japan Platform, an established emergency humanitarian aid NGO, working as an umbrella agency for Japanese NGOs supporting refugees and disasters globally.

The Japanese Red Cross (JRC) has deployed 134 response teams, including domestic Emergency Response Units to Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Chiba, Tochigi, Nagano and Yamagata. As of Thursday (Mar 17), 51 have completed their missions, while 59 are still active and an additional 24 are on the way. (OCHA, Mar 17) These teams are on the ground providing first aid and healthcare in affected areas through operating mobile medical clinics, and are assessing the damage and needs of the affected communities. Additionally the Red Cross has almost 2,400 nurses trained to give psychosocial support. (OCHA, Mar 17)The JRC has distributed 30,000 blankets so far to evacuees in temporary centers established in schools and public buildings. In response to damages caused to the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the JRC also remains prepared to support those evacuated from the exclusion zone, and continues to closely monitor the situation. All of the JRC branches (47) are equipped with special equipment to cope with nuclear, biological or chemical disasters. Red Cross volunteers continue to give out relief items, ensuring displaced people are offered hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation. (IFRC, OCHA, Mar 11-15)

The JRC facilitated by the ICRC, are encouraging those living overseas to make use of the ICRC’s restoring Family Links website (www.familylinks.icrc.org) to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends missing since the disaster hit. (ICRC, Mar-12)

As part of its national disaster response preparation, community-based disaster response groups known as “Jishubo,” are trained and equipped to help rescue trapped survivors, guide people to evacuation centers and provide food and water. (Reuters, March 15)

The Bank of Japan established a task force led by Governor Masaaki Shirakawa. (Japan Times, Mar 11)

Nippon Telephone and Telegraph company has started an emergency message service

National NGOs:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA):ADRA Japan has provided hot meals to an evacuation center in the Miyagino Ward of Sendai City. ADRA is preparing to accommodate 1,000 evacuees with food, non-food items and transportation. (ADRA, March 15)

Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA): Four members of AMDA team in Sendai City, moved operations to Iwate Prefecture to assist one of the most severely damaged sites, Kamaishi City. On Tuesday (Mar 15) they started to deliver mobile clinic services to the local evacuation centers. To date, AMDA has dispatched 25 relief personnel: 10 doctors, four nurses, eight coordinators and one midwife, lab technician and pharmacist. (AMDA, Mar 17)

Kokusai Kyogo:a Japanese company specializing in topographical mapping and GIS, are already working with the GoJ in response to the disaster. (OCHA, Mar 15)

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ): Peace Winds will be providing large emergency disaster shelters (Balloon Shelters) to accommodate evacuees in Kesennuma City in Miyagi. Also, on Tuesday, two helicopters filled with PWJ relief foods and materials arrived in Kesennuma while a land transportation team of four, have left Niigata and are on the way with additional relief. (PWJ, Mar 15) Continuing disaster relief in Kesennuma City, PWJ started free iridium satellite telephone services and mobile phone charging services starting Thursday (Mar 17). At Kesennuma City Gymnasium, PWJ distributed 600 blankets donated by IKEA Japan and other relief materials. (PWJ, Mar 17)

International Response

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating all offers of international assistance.

For relief items: The GoJ is identifying the needs and setting up a mechanism for storage and transportation to affected people. They recommend not sending any relief goods without the coordination with the Government.

For NGOs: Because the SAR operation phase continues in affected areas, access to those areas are strictly limited to rescue workers and the temporary shortage of petrol in affected areas, international/foreign NGOs are recommended to wait until the situation improves so that those NGOs are able to conduct their activities in a self-sustainable way. (OCHA, Mar 17)

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep sorrow and offered the UN’s full support in providing humanitarian assistance to Japan. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) has been in contact with the OCHA Kobe office that will monitor government and media sources. OCHA has been using its regional offices in Bangkok and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region to monitor the situation. (OCHA, Mar 11-12)

On Monday (Mar 14), spokeswoman for OCHA, Elisabeth Byrs, said that the UN does not plan to mount a bigger relief operation unless requested. (Reuters, Mar 14) Aside from the requested assistance from the UNDAC team and the WFP, the Japanese government has not requested support from other UN agencies.

A nine-member UN Disaster and Assessment (UNDAC) team arrived in Tokyo on Sunday (Mar 13). On Monday (Mar 14), the UNDAC team met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo, agreeing that they will support the GoJ with information management, help coordinate the international USAR teams and assist with assessments and environmental hazard analysis. To facilitate coordination, an On-Site Operations Coordination center (OSOCC) has been set up in the premises of JICA Tokyo International Center. (Regular updates on USAR teams are posted on the Virtual OSOCC). A joint UNDAC/DART assessment team flew from Tokyo to a small town in Ibaraki Prefecture, Oarai, on Thursday on a US military helicopter. Following a aerial survey of the area, they landed and secured ground transport to assess tsunami damage. UNDAC is developing a basic “3W” to better understand where assistance is being delivered and who is operating where. (OCHA, Mar 12-16).

Environmental experts who make up a specialized unit of OCHA and the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) are closely monitoring the nuclear crisis, but have not been dispatched. (Reuters, Mar 14)

The UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has dispatched emergency telecommunications equipment to severely affected areas in Japan. ITU reported, Thursday (Mar 17) the deployment of 78 Thuraya satellite phones equipped with GPS to facilitate search and rescue efforts, 13 Iridium satellite phones and 37 Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network terminals. Thirty more Inmarsat terminals are also ready to be sent. (ITU, Mar 16)

The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UN Operational Satellite Applications Program (UNOSAT) are monitoring the situation. UNOSAT reported that the Space Charter was triggered by Japan on Sunday. (OCHA, Mar 11, 13)

The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) offered technical assistance and its Good Offices to Japan on Monday (Mar 14), which made available the agency’s direct support and coordination of international assistance. On Tuesday (Mar 15), the GoJ asked the IAEA to provide expert missions to the country. The IAEA is coordinating assistance from Member States through the Response and Assistance Network (RANET), which consists of nations able to offer specialized assistance after a radiation incident or emergency. (IAEA, Mar 15) IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano departed for Japan on Thursday (Mar 17) to determine what further help the UN agency could offer for the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Prior to leaving, Mr. Amano met with the Executive Secretary of the UN-backed Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Organization (CTBTO) to discuss access to data it collects from its global monitoring stations that can display the trajectory of any radioactive plume from the plant. According to CTBTO spokesperson, the data has been sent to the UN’s 182 Member States and 1,200 scientific institutions.

The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has activated its Environmental Emergency Response mechanism and is monitoring the direction of winds and any potential path, is also in contact with the IAEA. (UN News Center, Mar 18)

The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) reported staff on standby across the Asia-Pacific region ready to respond to calls for assistance. On Tuesday (Mar 15), OCHA reported that WFP had deployed a logistics team to assist the JRC in procurement and supply chain activities. (OCHA, Mar 15) In response to Japan’s request, the WFP is deploying experts in logistics and supply chain management to Japan. Following the GoJ’s request to the WFP, the UN agency’s Ambassador Against Hunger in the Republic of Korea, Jang Dong Gun, has donated US$180,000 (200 million Korean Won) to support the WFP relief effort. (WFP, Mar 17) OCHA reported WFP in collaboration with TNT, has begun assisting in the transport of 60,000 blankets to affected areas. (OCHA, Mar 17) Special Operation WFP will provide logistics support, including the deployment of experts to participate in the GoJ’s central coordination response unit, the establishment of a logistics coordination cell at Narita Airport, Tokyo and the provision of emergency storage facilities to support the response efforts of the GoJ. WFP reports duration of the project to be two months. (WFP, Mar 18)

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned members of the general public on Thursday, against self-medicating with potassium iodide or with products containing iodide as a precaution against nuclear radiation. WHO advised that potassium iodide should only be taken when there is a clear public health recommendation to do so, as indiscriminate use can cause side-effects. WHO’s warning comes after reports of people in Japan and elsewhere using the substance in response to radiation leaks. (WHO, Mar 17)

NGOs/IOs

American Red Cross (ARC):The ARC is accepting donations of US$10 through text messages of “redcross” sent to 90999.

AmeriCares: AmeriCares dispatched an emergency response manager to Tokyo to direct efforts of their relief workers in Sendai. Their team is in direct contact with local officials, evacuation shelters and hospitals treating the injured in Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures to determine health needs. They are preparing a shipment of basic hygiene items for urgent delivery to shelters in Miyagi and Iwate based on early assessments. Additionally, they are establishing an office in Tokyo to coordinate relief efforts. AmeriCares and its relief workers in Japan continue to work to deliver medicines and supplies to hospitals, shelters and health responders. (AmeriCares, Mar 18)

Asian Development Bank (ADB): The ADB promised to provide aid to Japan following damage assessments, and said it was closely monitoring the impact of the quake and tsunami. (China Post, Mar 15)

CARE: CARE Japan is sending a convoy of three vehicles with relief items to Kamaishi city in Iwate prefecture. (CARE, Mar 16) CARE is sending a convoy of vehicles with relief items to Iwate. CARE will also be coordinating with other organizations and local governments to assist people for the next 12 to 18 months. CARE USA has raised enough funds to support initial emergency response in Japan. (CARE, Mar-18)

 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee: is working to partner with local and international Christian organizations for a response. CRWRC will partner with partners on the ground with an established network of international Christian partners and alliances, including the Christian Relief, Assistance Support, and Hope (CRASH). Initial plans for a longer term response to address housing reconstruction and livelihood rehabilitation are being made through a coalition of Christian churches and organizations, including Christian Reformed World Missions and Back to God Ministries International. (CRWRC, Mar-16)

Convoy of Hope (COH): COH is working to get food, water and emergency supplies to quake and tsunami survivors, and are determining the best options for mobilizing and distributing items in the hardest hit areas. (COH, Mar 16) On top of funds already wired by COH to in-country partners for the purchase of emergency rations, COH is in the process of shipping a 40-foot long container from the Philippines loaded with over 50,000 meals, dried fruit, powdered milk, water and sanitary cooking supplies. COH’s network of partners in Japan will be giving out the items to evacuation centers and national churches. (COH, Mar 18)

Indonesia Aid, an NGO Consortium, has been working in Sendai since March 12 and is helping the Indonesian Embassy to evacuate its citizens, mostly students, as well as distributing relief items, such as blankets, food, drunks, gas burners, heaters, and kerosene, in Miyagi. (OCHA, Mar 18)

InterAction: InterAction, an alliance of US based NGOs, is maintaining a list of organizations accepting donations for the Japanese earthquake response.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): A communications delegate from the Asia Pacific IFRC office has been deployed to the affected area. In addition, the Asia Pacific Regional Logistics Unit has emergency stocks ready to be dispatched from Kuala Lumpur if needed. A deployed IFRC High Level Support/Liaison Team supporting the JRCS travelled to Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures. (OCHA, Mar 14-15)

The International Medical Corps (IMC): An IMC emergency response team is on the ground in Sendai and currently coordinating with local officials to support response efforts, fill critical gaps and deliver supplies. They plan to access coastal communities that have not been reached yet for assessments on post-disaster conditions, for determining needs and for planning a response. IMC has four medical teams on standby, prepared to airlift more supplies as needed. Also, IMC is providing logistical support and technical expertise to local health authorities. (IMC, Mar 18)

International Organization for Migration (IOM): IOM is supporting efforts to disseminate information to a variety of migrant communities living in Japan. According to the Ministry of Justice, some 2.18 million foreign nationals were registered as living in Japan in 2009. Multilingual information services are posted on the IOM Japan mission Web site at: http://www.iomjapan.org/news/press_237.cfm. Information is also being disseminated through public and commercial radio. (OCHA, Mar 16)

International Rescue Committee (IRC): The IRC’s director of emergency response programs says that emergency team members are on standby. The IRC meanwhile says it is starting to direct assistance to Japanese aid groups with better access to affected communities. (IRC, Mar. 15) Their support is going to  aid Peace Winds Japan and plans to designate funds for at least one other Japanese organization that will focus on long-term recovery assistance. (IRC, Mar 17)

Maltesar International (MI)has provided US$35,000 (25,000 Euros) to the GoJ from its emergency relief fund for emergency aid in Japan. (MI, Mar 14) MI will support a children’s home in the small town of Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture. A psychotherapist is providing psychosocial care for children, but more assistance is needed. (MI, Mar 17) MI is providing US$14,000 (10,000 Euros) from its emergency funds so that urgently needed items can be purchased immediately for the 60 children and 31 staff that reside there. The contribution is intended to also help replace the glass panes and finance further repairs necessary for security reasons. (MI, Mar 18)

MapAction received a request through the UN for a MapAction team to go to Tokyo. The MapAction team will provide the mapping and information support for an UNDAC team that has just flown out to help the GoJ in coordinating international assistance. (MapAction, Mar 15)

Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) currently has a team of 10 people split into three teams carrying out mobile clinics and assessments in Miyagi Prefecture. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Mercy Corpsis working withPWJ to rush to the aid of quake zone victims. The members of its own emergency response team are on high alert to provide support. Mercy Corps responders in the region stand ready to support Peace Winds’ efforts. (Mercy Corps, Mar 13)

MERCY Malaysia: MERCY Malaysia deployed a four-person rapid assessment team, consisting of one surgeon, a logistics, person, a medical officer and a psychologist, to Tokyo on March 14. MERCY Malaysia Friday (Mar 18) announced the launching of the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund after securing a Letter of Undertaking (LoU) to channel funds to the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA). An initial US$10,000 was given to AMDA. (MERCY Malaysia, March 13, 18)

Oxfam: Oxfam is saying that it is monitoring the situation and remains on standby to respond to affected regions.

Operation Blessing International: The US-based relief organization, Operation Blessing International (OBI) says it is deploying a medical team out of its Manila, Philippines office to Japan.In Rikuzen Takata, Japan, the OBI disaster relief team has supplied food and water to over 1,500 people despite heavy snow, a lack of fuel, impassable roads and the nuclear threat. OBI plans to distribute kerosene for the heaters in shelters. (OBI, Mar 17)

Peace Winds America (PWA): On Tuesday (Mar 15), PWA CEO arrived in Tokyo to start working alongside Peace Winds Japan (PWJ), their sister organization. Their efforts have been targeting relief to Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture, and on Saturday (Mar 19), they will helicopter to the site to deliver food stuffs and medical supplies. The Peace Winds mission will be joined by a Mercy Corps officer. (PWA, Mar 17)

Red Cross Society of China (RCSC): The RCSC decided to donate US$152,087 (1 million Yuan) on Saturday in emergency aid to its Japanese counterpart, the Red Cross Society of Japan. (RCSC, Mar 14)An additional US$760,600 (5 million Yuan) for emergency aid was offered to Japan on Tuesday. (RCSC, Mar 15)

Save the Children (SC): SC has deployed emergency response teams to assess the needs of children and their families in the worst-affected areas. A team in Sendai is setting up an operations base to help the most vulnerable children and their families. They have also launched an appeal for US$865,000. (SC, Mar 13-14) SC opened its first Child Friendly Space, a protective environment that helps relieve the trauma faced by children. They plan to establish more child-friendly spaces over the coming days. SC’s relief operation is being run from Tokyo, with an operational base in Sendai. (SC, Mar 16-17)SC decided on Friday (Mar 18) to expand its humanitarian relief effort after conducting exploratory missions north of Sendai and seeing the shortages of essential goods for displaced children. Tomorrow (Saturday, Mar 19), SC will start giving out blankets to help mitigate the bitter cold weather, while distributions are being planned to ensure that children are not left without essential goods. (SC, Mar 18)

Telecoms sans Frontiers (TSF): TSF has deployed a team from its regional base in Bangkok to assess communications and are now providing emergency telecommunications assistance from Tokyo. (TSF, OCHA, Mar 13-14)

Turkish Red Crescent Society: A three-member assessment team from the Turkish Red Crescent Society arrived in Japan on Saturday. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Tzu Chi Foundation: The Tzu Chi Foundation established an emergency coordination center in its global headquarters in Taiwan. Their chapter in Tokyo has opened its office as a shelter. To date, they have provided 500 items for those trapped on the streets of the capital. Volunteers have begun to assess the needs of residents who are in emergency shelters. (Buddhist Tzu, Mar 14)

Walt Disney Co. announced it will give US$2.5 million to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts. The company also said that it would match dollar-for-dollar all relief funds raised by employees up to US$1 million.

World Bank: WB President Zoellick has offered the Bank’s fullest support which may include knowledge and support exchange missions following the humanitarian phase. (WB, March 16) The WB’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) is on alert for a rapid response through the Bank’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and DRM Global Expert Team (GET). The Bank and GFDDR have already liaised with counterpart ministries in the GoJ on possible areas of support in the event the GoJ should accept assistance. (WB, Mar-16)

World Vision International (WVI): The President of World Vision International Kevin Jenkins, has declared a partnership-wide response, and confirmed a US$10 million appeal across the partnership to help finance a relief response. A WVI assessment team reached Sendai within 48 hours of the tragedy to explore how WVI could support the GoJ. WVI in Japan will be deploying three staff to the quake zone to assess the impact. They are responding with an initial budget of US$400,000 for a one-month period. WV plans to distribute daily necessities following the assessment. (WV, Mar 13) World Vision relief items, sufficient to reach 6,000 people arrived on Thursday (Mar 17) and are reportedly en route to be distributed in Minami Sanriku on Friday (Mar 18). In Minami Sanriku, 9,600 were displaced into 40 shelters. Japanese authorities will organize the distribution of supplies, including bottles of water, blankets and wet wipes for children. (WV, Mar 18)

Foreign Governments

Afghanistan: The mayor of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, Ghulam Haidar Hamidi, announced it was donating US$50,000 in aid. (AFP, Mar 12)

Australia: Australia has sent dogs and search and rescue teams at the request of GoJ, while OCHA reported the country is deploying 72 specialists and 22 tons of rescue and medical equipment. (OCHA, AFP, Mar 12) Australia on Monday also offered self-contained field hospitals and sent disaster victim identification teams, with two military transport aircraft carrying SAR teams. (Reuters, Mar 14) The Australians are also providing nuclear expert assistance. (OCHA, Mar 16) The Royal Australian Air Force (RAFF) is working endlessly to help ferry personnel and supplies from Okinawa to the Japanese disaster zone as part of Operation Pacific Assist, the Australian Defense Force component of the Australian’s Government’s assistance to Japan.  Australia’s C-17 Globemaster III will pick up members of the 15th Brigade of the GSDF, their vehicles and equipment, and fly them to Japan to assist in relief efforts. Since the mission was challenging, the RAAF deployed an eight-person Mobile Air Load Team that specializes in preparing and arranging loads to fill the C-17’s large interior. (GoA, Mar 18)

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): ASEAN Member States’ assistance has been offered in various forms, including cash, medical assistance, food and rescue efforts. Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have all made contributions to assist Japan so far. ASEAN stands ready to provide more support, assistance and contributions as identified by Japan and will continue to be in close contact with Japan to ensure efficient mobilization of relief. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

Austria:Rapid Response Health teams were mobilized from Austria (12 medical staff) and will arrive on Monday. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Canada: The Canadian government has put a range of capabilities at Japan’s disposal, including a 17 member Disaster Victim Identification team, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technical expertise and equipment, which is on standby and ready to be deployed. (GoC, Mar 14) Canada, working with the Canadian Red Cross, will provide some 25,000 woven thermal wool blankets from its emergency relief stockpile. (CIDA, GoC, Mar 16)

Cambodia: Cambodia has contributed US$100,000 for relief of the victims. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

China: A Chinese emergency rescue team was accepted by the GoJ, and a charter plane, consisting of a 15 member team arrived on Sunday. The Chinese International Search and Rescue Team, which will operate in Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture, brought four tons of materials and equipment, and their own power supply and telecommunication. The ministry also announced Monday that China will provide US$4.56 million (30 million Yuan) worth of relief supplies to Japan. Relief items include: 2,000 blankets, 900 cotton tents and 200 emergency lights, valued at US$1.1 million (7.2 million Yuan). (GoJ, Xinhua, Mar 13-14)In east China’s Zhejiang Province, the municipal government of Wenzhou said they will donate US$307,692 (2 million Yuan) to Ishinomaki, its Japanese sister city in Miyagi Prefecture. Previously the provincial government of Jilin said it will donate US$100,000 to the prefectural government of Miyagi, while the municipal government of Changchun, capital of Jilin, pledged some US$76,000 (500,000 Yuan) to the municipal government of Sendai. (Xinhua, Mar 16)

Estonia: The Estonian Foreign Ministry is allocating US$280,000 (200,000 Euro) to help victims of the disaster in Japan. (GoE, Mar 14)

European Union (EU): Twenty Member States have offered personnel or material through the European Civil Protection Mechanism to help Japan. The Civil Protection coordination mechanism (MIC) dispatched a civil liaison officer to Japan Sunday to reinforce the EU Delegation in Tokyo and prepare for a possible deployment of a coordination team. (EU, Mar 14) An EU Civil Protection Assessment and Coordination Team of 10 experts is prepared to leave at any time to coordinate the upcoming assistance on the ground. They will be supported by a Technical Assistance and Support Team (TAST) with a radiological/nuclear component to make them fully autonomous. (EU, Mar 17)The EU is dispatching an advance team from the MIC for the coordination of European assistance. (OCHA, Mar 18) ECHO: The MIC has received various offers from Participating States, including some 100,000 blankets. MIC looking to procure items locally or regionally. The MIC is urging States to wait with the deployment of assistance until the 15-member EU Civil Protection Team (EUCP) is in place, necessary warehousing is provided and operational arrangements are in place for distribution of relief. The team is leaving Friday. States should plan for assistance arriving at the earliest on March 21. (ECHO, March 17, 18)

 

France: France has deployed a search and rescue team consisting of 134 personnel. (Reuters, Mar 14) AREVA, France-based nuclear energy firm, has sent special protective gear to japan for workers battling to resolve the nuclear crisis. Gear, including 10,000 protective suits, 20,000 pairs of gloves and 3,000 masks, is set to arrive on Friday (Mar 18) night. At the request of the GoJ, French utility EDF also plans to send 100 tons of boric acid to Japan. The French government has already dispatched 12 radiation experts, including doctors and decontamination specialists. (NHK, Mar 18)

Germany: Germany has sent a search and rescue team consisting of 41 people and three dogs. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Hungary:Hungary’s emergency authority said it had offered a 16-member crew as part of the International Response Assistance Network program to check radiation and perform medical advisory work in seven monitoring teams. (Reuters, Mar 14)

India: The Ambassador of India to Japan delivered relief material, comprising 25,000 blankets, to Japan on behalf of the Government and people of India. (GoI, Mar 17)OCHA reported that India will be deploying a 50 person team, including medical personnel to assist in the recovery effort. (OCHA, Mar 19)

Ireland: The Government of Ireland (GoI) approved an estimated US$1.39 million (1 million Euros) in emergency funding for the Red Cross relief operation in Japan, after an appeal by the Japanese Government on Tuesday (Mar 15) for European Union assistance in response to the quake and tsunami. After the GoJ also asked the EU for blankets, mattresses and water tanks, Irish Aid made available its stockpiles of these items in both Subang, Malaysia and Dubai. (GoI, Mar 16)

Indonesia: Indonesia’s National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) will send a 64-person trained Quick Response Team, equipped with medical supplies. Included in the team are the Indonesian Armed Forces, a search and rescue team and a medical team. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

Lao PDR has provided US$100,000 in emergency relief to Japan and has agreed to establish a national committee to raise more funds and to be ready to send personnel. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

Lithuania: Lithuanian state fire and rescue service said it was prepared to offer up to 32 rescuers, including three with search dogs and three paramedics. Lithuania coordinates assistance via the EU. (Reuters, Mar-14)

Maldives: The Maldives has said it will provide Japan with 1,800 cases of Maldivian tuna, which is equivalent to 86,400 individual cans. The shipment of tuna is reportedly worth US$93,700 (1.2 million Maldivian Ruffiya). (Minivan News, Mar 13)

Mongolia:Mongolia has donated US$1 million, along with 2,500 woolen blankets, and offered to send up to 300 soldiers to help with relief efforts. (Reuters, Mar 14)The GoJ decided to accept an emergency rescue team from Mongolia, Tuesday (Mar 15), which is set to arrive the same day. The 12 member rescue team is from the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia. (GoJ, Mar 15)

New Zealand: has sent a search and rescue help team consisting of 65 personnel. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Philippines: The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said it is prepared to deploy a search and rescue contingent, and ready to send more, if necessary. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

Russia: A group of EMERCOM rescuers, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, arrived in Tokyo Monday, and have three rescue motor vehicles, search and rescue equipment, hydraulic tools and all that is needed for autonomous operations within two weeks. (GoRF, Reuters, Mar 14)In Sendai, 79 Russian rescuers commenced search and rescue operations in the northeastern part of Sendai on Wednesday (Mar 16). Two more EMERCOM airplanes, An-74 and IL-76, with rescuers and an expert group of “Rosatom” corporation, the state nuclear corporation, arrived in Japan Wednesday, bringing the total number of Russian personnel to 82. Rosatom has offered to help in responding to problems at the nuclear plants. Additionally, 8,600 blankets were delivered, while Russia plans to provide relief aid in the form of 10,000 blankets and 10,000 mattresses, after Japan had requested it. (EMERCOM, Mar 16) As of Friday (Mar 19), Russian rescuers have examined an area of about 100 sq km and extracted 112 bodies buried in the rubble. There have been no survivors yet. Russian specialists will move to the west of the island soon. (GoRF, Mar 18)

SingaporeCivil Defense Force’s Operation Lion Heart contingent was activated and consists of five search specialists and search dogs each. (ASEAN, Mar 16)

Slovakia: PM Iveta Radicova told parliament that Slovakia had 250,000 Euros prepared for Japan, but would coordinate with other EU states. They also have 25 rescue workers prepared to deploy if asked for. (Reuters, Mar 14)

South Korea: The GoJ accepted a team from the Republic of South Korea (ROK) on Sunday. Consisting of 102 personnel, including rescue workers and two officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the team is scheduled to arrive on Monday. (GoJ, Mar 14) A further 100 rescue workers are on standby to support Japan, while an advance team of five rescue workers and two search dogs have been in Japan since Saturday. (Reuters, Mar 14)The Republic of Korea plans to transfer its reserve of boron. (OCHA, Mar 16)

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka announced a contribution of US$1 million and a military relief team with medical assistance to be sent to Japan. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Switzerland: Switzerland announced it was sending a team of some 25 rescue and medical experts along with nine sniffer dogs following an official request from the GoJ.  The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs also plans to deploy three more members of staff to assist the Swiss representation in Tokyo. Two specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA), who were deployed in Beijing, have arrived in Japan. (Reuters, GoS, Mar 12, 15)

Taiwan: A 28-member team of rescue specialists left for Tokyo on Monday. A first batch of supplies has also been sent. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Thailand: Thailand’s cabinet has allocated US$6.58 million (200 million Baht) to buy warm clothes, gloves, rubber boots, instant food and other goods. The country will also send 15,000 tons of rice. Also, Thailand has a medical team leaving on Monday night that will be caring for about 500-600 Thai people affected in Japan. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Turkey: The Republic of Turkey will be deploying aid and a rescue team. The team consists of 33 personnel and will arrive in Japan on Saturday (Mar 19) afternoon. The area of operations of Turkey’s team is still under discussion. (GoJ, Mar 19)

Ukraine: Japan accepted the offer of relief supplies from Ukraine, which consisted of some 2,000 blankets. It arrived on Thursday (Mar 17) and will be sent to the disaster-stricken regions by the cooperation of the International Friendship Exchange Council and Sagawa Express. Ukraine also communicated their preparedness to extend further assistance to Japan. (GoJ, Mar 18)

United Kingdom: After a direct appeal from the GoJ, Britain sent a team of 64 fire service search and rescue specialists, two rescue dogs and a medical support team to join the international relief effort. The team will bring 11 tons of specialist rescue equipment, including heavy lifting and cutting equipment. They said it would send nuclear physicists if requested. (Reuters, Mar 14) The SAR team has now arrived at their base, 20km outside Ofunato and are coordinating rescue operations with the US teams and local SAR teams. The British Ambassador and a team of consular staff are in Sendai to assess the damage and locate British nationals. Three specialist consular teams have also arrived. 47 additional consular staff are now in Japan and more are due to arrive soon. UK officials are also at Narita and Haneda airports. The UK has offered humanitarian assistance, Disaster Victim Identification and nuclear expertise to the GoJ. A dedicated crisis unit has been established in the Foreign Office and DFID has activated its humanitarian operations room. (DFID, Mar-15)

United States: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has authorized up to US$35 million in initial Defense Department funds for humanitarian aid to Japan. (AFPS, Mar 17)The US has established Operation “Tomodachi,” which is Japanese for “friendship.” (OCHA, Mar 15), and will be led by Japan SDF. The operation team is a joint task force of the US armed forces that are prepared to provide a multitude of capabilities including equipment, air, sea and ground capability and expertise, including SAR provisions, medical services, food, shelter, command and control, and fuel. According to the Department of Defense (DoD) as of Wednesday (Mar 16), there are 14 US Navy ships, and 17,000 sailors and Marines involved in humanitarian assistance andhelping to support disaster relief operations, led by the GoJ.

According to the DoD, US Forces-Japan (USFJ) is coordinating with the US Embassy in Tokyo to support the GoJ response. USFJ is the lead US military command, coordinating relief efforts with the GoJ and Japan SDF. They are providing air transport of Japanese SDF personnel and vehicles responding to the disaster. Additionally, they are providing emergency relief supplies, including safe drinking water and blankets to affected populations. JSDF has established a Joint Task Force in Yamagata Prefecture in order to establish a Operations Center which will facilitate coordination of all foreign military aid efforts and establish a refueling location for helicopters. (USAID, Mar 14)The US has permitted the GoJ to use Misawa and Yokota airbases for aircraft carrying humanitarian personnel and supplies. (USAID, Mar 13) The US has also delivered two fire trucks from military bases to be used by the Japanese, who have also requested more hoses and pumps. (AFPS, Mar 16)

US Navy (USN)

US Seventh Fleet remains committed to assisting Japan in relief efforts, having 12,750 personnel, 20 ships and 140 aircraft participating in Operation Tomodachi.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived on Sunday (Mar 12) and is set to serve as a place for Japanese helicopters to land and refuel. The Reagan Carrier Strike Group, including the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the destroyer USS Preble and the combat support ship USNS Bridge, are conducting operations off the coast of Honshu Island and is at a safe distance northeast of the Fukushima nuclear complex.  Also conducting humanitarian operations off the east coast of Iwate Prefecture, are guided-missile destroyers, USS Fitzgerald, USS John S McCain, USS McCampbell, USS Mustin and USS Curtis Wilbur. PACOM reported three US Navy liaison officers are on JS Hyuga to coordinate US operations with Japan Maritime SDF leadership.

Helicopters from the USS Reagan strike group and Carrier Airwing Five Atsugi, delivered 28 tons of food, water, clothes, medicine, toiletries, baby supplies and kerosene to displaced persons at 15 relief sites. (PACOM, Reuters, AFPS, Mar 13-18) Meanwhile, the cruiser USS Cowpens continued to travel north to rendezvous with the Reagan Carrier Strike Group and is expected to connect with the Strike Group overnight. The USS Shiloh has begun moving from Yokosuka to deliver relief supplies to the Strike Group. (PACOM, Mar 18)

After the USS Tortuga, an amphibious dock landing ship completed offloading 273 Japan GSDF, 93 vehicles and equipment in Ominato, (Thursday, March 17), the ship departed towards the vicinity of Hachinohe where, it will serve as an afloat forward service base for helicopter operations. CH-53 Sea Stallion aircraft from HM-14 attached to USS Tortuga delivered 13 tons of humanitarian aid cargo, including 5,000 poinds of water and 5,000 MREs to Yamada Station. (Reuters, AFPS, PACOM, Mar 15-18)

Meanwhile, the USS Blue Ridge, remains in the vicinity of Okinawa to conduct transfers of supplies and additional personnel to strengthen staff. (PACOM, Mar 18)

Due to the threat of “radiological and navigation hazards,” the Navy said some arriving warships, the USS Essex, a large amphibious assault ship carrying a 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the USS Harpers Ferry, a dock-landing ship and USS Germantown, an amphibious dock-landing ship, are now operatingin the Sea of Japan.PACOM reported that the ships arrived off the coast of Akita prefecture Friday afternoon. Marines of the 31st MEU established a Forward Control Element in Matsushima in order to coordinate disaster aid planning with officials already there. (Reuters, PACOM, Mar 15, 18)

The USNS Safeguard delivered on Wednesday (Mar 16) high –pressure water pumps to Yokota Air Base for transfer to the Japanese government for use at the Fukushima power plant, while four pumps were delivered from Sasebo. (AFPS, Mar 16)

Carrier Airwing Five completed the relocation of 14 rotary-wing aircraft, and are now positioned for quick response to humanitarian missions in northeastern Honshu, Also, P-3 Orion aircraft from Patrol Squadron Four conducted two aerial survey missions or ports and airfields in northern Honshu on Friday. (PACOM, Mar 18)

US Marine Corps (USMC)

Marines and sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) are supporting relief operations and its subordinate units are providing command and control, aviation and logistics support. Because of the proximity of aviation assets at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Marines from III MEF are quickly able to deploy critically needed supplies and aid to areas most in need. PACOM reported on Friday (Mar 19) that the USMC had made available, eight KC-130J cargo aircrafts, and eight CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters based out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to support Operation Tomodachi. Meanwhile, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade is located at Tokota Air Base with USFJ. Marines have connected with the Northeast Army of the Japan GSDF. To date, III MEF has flown 80 CH-46 sorties and 98 KC-130 sorties in support of Operation Tomodachi.

Four Humanitarian Assistance Survey Teams (HAST) that the USMC deployed to Honshu continue to assess damaged areas and assist the GoJ with providing accurate information to disaster relief planners, both military and civilian. These teams are capable of distributing supplies and providing basic medical care for those in urgent need of aid. III MEF has facilitated the re-opening of an airfield in Sendai. (USAID, Mar 16)

US Army

Commander of US Army Japan, Maj Gen Michael T. Harrison, Sr, held a series of town hall meetings to talk to local civilian employees, soldiers and dependents, and Department of the Army Civilians regarding the scope and impact of the voluntary departure plan. Meanwhile, the USARJ Disaster Assessment Team (DAT) remains integrated with the JTF (FWD) complimenting their operations. The USARJ Aviation Detachment self-deployed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Yamagata airfield to provide JTF (FWD) additional mobility to continue planning for a future Humanitarian Assistance supply Logistical Support Area. (PACOM, Mar 18)

US Air Force

USAF is providing support by conducting numerous airlifts of large amounts of relief supplies and transporting personnel. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) have generated 79 sorties and moved more than 503 short tons and 324 passengers. Delivered relief supplies include food, water, blankets, and generators using a variety of aircraft such as C-130s, C-17s, KC-135s and C-12s. Currently the number of air force personnel deployed in support of relief efforts is 310, while the number of PACAF aircraft deployed for relief is 18. (PACOM, Mar 18)

USAID

On March 11, US Ambassador to Japan John V Roos declared a disaster due to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, which allowed US Agency for International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) to provide an initial US$100,000 through the US Embassy in Tokyo to assist with local relief efforts. USAID also activated a Washington DC based Response Management Team (RMT) to coordinate the USG humanitarian response to the tsunami. On Monday (Mar 14), the RMT participated in a teleconference organized by the US Chamber of Commerce that included representatives from the US Embassy in Tokyo, DoD, and the humanitarian community. (USAID, Mar 15) At the request of the GoJ, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), including two urban search and rescue (USAR) teams from Fairfax County, Virginia and Los Angeles County, California, to help in the rescue effort, providing emergency and medical and water capabilities in Japan. The teams, consisting of 72 personnel and six rescue dogs each, arrived on Sunday (Mar 13) at Misawa Airport and travelled to Ohunato in Iwate Prefecture to engage in SAR activities under the direction of the Tokyo Fire Department, which is already in operation there. (USAID, GoJ, Mar 11-13) The US USAR teams have worked with the UK and China USAR teams to establish a sub-OSOCC at their base of operations in Ofunato, which would facilitate coordination with the OSOCC to ensure a systematic international USAR effort. The teams hold operational readiness meetings with local authorities. (USAID, Mar 15) USAR teams completed search assignments in southern Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, Kamaishi City, Wednesday, but were unable to find any live victims. They will carry out another search assignment on Thursday (Mar 17).

USACE

To assist the US Army Japan disaster assessment team with debris-removal efforts, theUS Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)Japan District provided an administration system. USACE is developing a plan to clear debris from airfields significant to logistics and humanitarian missions, while assisting US Army Japan to deliver 50,000 water bottles to disaster survivors. (AFPS, Mar-16)

US NRC

In response to the nuclear emergency, two US experts from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) were deployed to Japan on Saturday. (OCHA, Mar 13) An additional nine experts were sent to Tokyo to provide assistance as requested by the GoJ. The team consists of additional reactor experts, international affairs professional staffers, and a senior manager from one of the NRC’s four operating regions. Some of the tasks that they have been instructed to do is to conduct all activities needed to understand the status of efforts to safely shut down the Japanese reactors and better understand the potential impact on people and the environment of any radioactivity releases. DoD reportedly contributed two pumper trucks to help Japanese authorities respond to the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.  (NRC, USAID , Mar 15)  Concerned about potential radiation exposure those responding to the disaster, the US military announced it will not allow its troops within 80 km of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. (OCHA, Mar 17) Additionally, Lapan reported DoD suspending travel to the island of Honshu for all DoD dependent personnel. Authorization does not affect service members or US civilian employees.

On Tuesday (Mar 15), US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said his department has formed a team of 34 people and sent 7,200 pounds of equipment to Japan to help monitor and assess the nuclear reactor situation. (Yahoo News, Mar 15)

A nine-member expert planning team from US Northern Command (Northcom) was scheduled to arrive in Japan on Thursday (Mar 17). Technical advice will be provided by the team, who will report to the commander of USFJ and will work alongside the Japanese military to evaluate and assess whether more US assistance is needed. (AFPS, Mar 17)  Meanwhile, commander of US Pacific Command, Adm Robert Willard, said Thursday (Mar 17) that the US military may deploy a 450 member unit trained in radiation management ot help the country deal with growing nuclear crisis

Vietnam: Vietnam will provide US$200,000 in aid. The Vietnamese Red Cross will give an initial US$50,000 through the Japanese Red Cross, state-run news website VnExpress reported. (Reuters, Mar 14) In a statement made by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son, the Government of Vietnam is offering to send medical staff to Japan. Japan is also working with Vietnamese agencies in Japan to protect Vietnamese residents. (GoV, Mar 15)

CREDIT: The Santos Republic thanks the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance for the cooperation as well as the steady efforts of the Government of Japan and the International Community at large. – Lady Michelle Jennifer del Rosario Santos, Founder/Publisher

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Lady MJ Santos is the Founder/CEO of The Santos Republic Systems. Her professional background is political and media strategy, asset and credit enhancement, international trade and development and public speaking. For two consecutive years, she was awarded by Silicon Valley’s TRIPBASE as their favourite “writer to be revered and respected” of all the world politics blogs from across the internet for “displaying knowledge and temerity in her approach matched only by her success in the political and managerial circles”.

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