BRIEFING: Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update, March 29, 2011

Note: New content has been inserted in italicized, bold font.

Overview

A powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on 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 Monday (March 28), at least 10,901 people are confirmed dead and 17,621 people are reported to be missing. There are no new figures for the number of injured, but the UN reported last week that 2,766 people were injured. (NHK, OCHA, March 28) 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.

Key Concerns:

• Traces of plutonium found in soil samples collected from locations around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

• There are now a estimated 193,000-250,000 evacuees.

• The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that until Tuesday (March 29), that minimum and maximum temperatures will be lower than normal and may drop below freezing in the morning and evening in the Tohoku region.

Request for international assistance

Japan has asked for international help to deal with the disaster and has so far received offers of assistance from 133 countries and 33 international organizations. It has accepted relief items from 24 countries to date.

The GoJ has so far not requested a large amount of support from UN agencies, however, a UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team supported the GoJ with information management, the deployment of USAR teams and international offers of assistance. In total 890 USAR specialists and 37 rescue dogs from 20 teams from 15 countries have assisted the Japanese. (OCHA, March 22)

The UNDAC team has officially ended its mission and handed over tasks to OCHA. The USAR coordination cell is also closed and issues related to USAR will be handled by OCHA Japan. (OCHA, March 23)

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.

Countries, aid organizations, private individuals and private sector companies have contributed and pledged US$545 million to the GoJ, Red Cross Societies, international NGOs and other partners. OCHA says more than 86 percent of the contributions are funds raised from the private sector. (OCHA, March 28) OCHA’s Financial Tracking Service: http://fts.unocha.org. OCHA says donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform the Financial Tracking System (FTS) of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: [email protected].

Impact

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 northeast. 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 and 128 km from the epicenter. The JMA reported that the highest tsunami wave on the day of the quake was 15 meters high in Mekawa, Miyagi (UNOCHA, Mar-17). Experts at the Earthquake Research Institute of the University of Tokyo found that the tsunami hit some areas of land as soon as 10 minutes after the earthquake struck. (Asahi, March 20)

According to the Geospatial Information Authority and the UN, the tsunami inundated 400 square kilometers in four prefectures (an area equivalent to 20 percent of the area of Tokyo). About 190 out of 300 kilometers of embankments on the seafront in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima have been destroyed either entirely or partially. (Asahi, OCHA, March 20) According to NHK, new satellite image data from Pasco, a geospatial company in Tokyo, shows that the area affected by the tsunami extends as far as 500 square kilometers. Pasco reports that Miyagi is the most affected with 300 square kilometers of land that was flooded. Latest images taken March 24 show some improvement in southern parts of Miyagi as flooding recedes, however, 70 percent of the area assessed is still under water. (NHK, March 26)

The largest number of deaths have been reported in Miyagi (6,627), Iwate (3,242), and Fukushima (974) prefectures. According to NHK, the number of confirmed deaths in Fukushima is low because search operations have been suspended in areas 20 km from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (NHK, March 28)

So far, some 137,000 buildings are estimated to be damaged either completely or partially, of which 18,778 were completely destroyed, and 118,137 have been damaged according to the National Police Agency and the UN on Friday (March 25). Some 2,035 roads have been reported damaged in 11 prefectures and 55 bridges have been damaged in four prefectures. (WHO, March 26)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) estimates at least US$9.5 billion worth of damage to around 6,400 roads, ports, rivers and parks that are managed by local governments. The UN says the damage to nationally managed airports, railways, and farms have yet to be assessed.

The supply of electricity is slowly improving. As of March 26, an estimated 200,000 households remain without electricity, mostly in the Tohoku region. The UN reports slow improvement regarding the gas supply, with around 379,292 households without gas. (WHO, March 26) The GoJ has announced temporary power cuts across the nation and warned that rolling blackouts would begin March 14 and are expected to last until at least the end of April.

Kyodo news and OCHA report that in Miyagi prefecture, debris amounts to approximately 15 to 18 million tons, which is roughly equivalent to 23 years worth of waste for the prefecture. According to OCHA, the prefecture only has the capacity to dispose of 0.8 million tons per year and officials say it will take three years to remove all the debris, not including cars and boats. (Kyodo News, OCHA, March 28)

Coordination

Local governments are sending officials to affected areas to provide support and to help their counterparts in affected areas restore government functions. Officials from Kobe, for instance, dispatched three groups of officials so far to Sendai, with experience operating shelters, and cleaning up debris following the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. The Kobe government has also sent officials to help reconstruction efforts. Sendai and Kobe are part of a mutual assistance agreement that comprises 20 large cities. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, as of last April, 1,571 local governments or 90 percent of cities, wards, towns and villages had formed mutual aid agreements in case of a disaster. (Daily Yomiuri, March 28)

The mayors of the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima are posting their priority needs on the Web site of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism (MLIT). http://www.mlit.go.jp/index.html

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.

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)

According to the UN, local governments are utilizing social networking site Twitter to provide information. (OCHA, March 20)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Saturday that it has launched a program to help foreigners leave the country. IOM has helped more than 100 leave Japan since the disaster and said it estimates the number who may need its support at several thousand in the Tohoku Region. The assistance is aimed at foreigners living in Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, Fukushima, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Chiba who were affected by the quake, tsunami or radiation threat from the Fukushima power plant. (Kyodo News, March 26)

Logistics

OCHA reported Monday that it finished its second visit to Miyagi with the WFP, USAID’s DART, the Cabinet office, the NGO Peace Boat and the local government. The team visited three evacuation centers in Ishinomaki. OCHA reported that there are still significant humanitarian needs not being met because of logistical and coordination issues. The team reports the shortage of fuel is still an issue. Additionally, OCHA says poor sanitation in some of the centers is a concern. (OCHA, March 28)

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Tohoku region, which includes Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima, the minimum and maximum temperatures will be lower than normal and may drop below freezing in the morning and evening in the Tohoku region until Tuesday (March 29), (JMA, WHO, March 26)

The Natural Resources and Energy Agency said March 26 that fuel shortages in affected areas have prompted the agency to provide “makeshift service stations” at evacuation centers and other areas in 10 to 20 places in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima. They will be set up by SDF forces and the gas will be free, according to the agency. (Kyodo, March 26)

According to the UN, the GoJ says 9.8 million liters of fuel has been delivered to date. (OCHA, March 28) According to the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), the GoJ has made progress in establishing the supply chain of petroleum to the Tohoku region, securing a supply of 22,000 kiloliters per day. However, the UN says that fuel remains a concern. (OCHA, March 25)

The petroleum industry believes the fuel shortages will be nearly resolved this week in the Kanto region and by the end of the month in the Tohoku region. The Petroleum Association of Japan says the amount of crude oil refined domestically declined to around 2.7 million barrels a day after the quake struck. As of March 21, capacity had recovered to around 3.9 million barrels per day (mbpd) more than the usual daily demand of 3.6 mbpd. (Yomiuri, March 23)

Fuel had been in short supply as six out of nine oil factories in Kanto and Tohoku areas had broken down. (OCHA, Mar-18) Of the six, two are now functioning, according to the Daily Yomiuri. One is run by Kyokutou Petroleum Industries Ltd. In Ichihara, Chiba, and the other is operated by Tonen General Sekiyu K.K. in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. (Yomiuri, March 23)

Part of the Tohoku Expressway, which was closed to general traffic following the disaster is now open to ordinary traffic. Portions of the Banetsu expressway also was reopened. The roads were previously open only to emergency vehicles. The UN says that an increase of volunteers and NGOs working in affected areas is expected because of the reopening. (Daily Yomiuri, OCHA (March 25)

East Japan Railway says it will resume full operations on the Tohoku bullet train line between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori in about a month. The company says that although the train line did not suffer major damage, the route will be reopened in stages and resume full service by the end of next month. (NHK, March 28)

The UN reports that as of March 26, there are 36 damaged rail lines in three prefectures and around 30 local trains in affected areas remain out of service. (WHO, March 26)

Sendai airport is open for 24-hour operations for rescue activities. (WHO, March 26)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry (MLIT) reported that Ishinomaki Port in Miyagi had been partially repaired Wednesday evening. The Daily Yomiuri Online reports that except for the Oarai area of Ibaraki Port, all 15 state-designated major ports that were hit by the quake in the Tohoku and Kanto regions have reopened. (Yomiuri, March 25)

Japan’s Federation of Economic Organizations is organizing a relief items transportation hotline to support Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki. The Federation has appealed to its 1,600–member private sector and charity organizations to send relief. (OCHA, March 19)

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)

Shelter

The UN reported Monday (March 28) that there are an estimated 250,000 people living in more than 2,000 evacuation centers. However, NHK has reported a lower number saying there are an estimated 193,213 people in evacuation centers as of Sunday (March 27), while Kyodo news reported an even lower number, saying about 180,000 people are staying in evacuation centers. According to the National Police Agency, approximately 99,000 families are in shelters. (OCHA, March 28). Most are sheltering in three prefectures, with NHK reporting Saturday that 88,000 people in 655 shelters in Miyagi, 44,000 people in 380 shelters in Iwate prefecture and 32,500 people in 298 shelters in Fukushima. NHK reports that there is still a concern that evacuees’ health may deteriorate, particularly among the elderly. (NHK, March 26)

The MLIT says that only 8 percent of the land needed for the construction of shelters has been secured. Land has only been allocated for 2,645 shelters. According to OCHA, local officials are finding it difficult to find suitable land as the coastal area in Tohoku is not flat and a large part has been damaged by the tsunami. (OCHA, March 28)

The Special Task Force for Livelihood Support of the Affected Population says 40,500 government apartments are available, in addition to the 19,500 public housing units offered for displaced families, making a total of 60,000 apartments, of which 42,145 are immediately available. (OCHA, March 28)

On Monday, NHK reported that construction of temporary housing began on 135 shelters in Ishinomaki city. The local government says that it will build over 1,000 units in Sendai, Ishinomaki and elsewhere and the units will be rent free for up to 2 years. (NHK, March 28)

Around 177,500 people have evacuated from a 12-mile (20-km) radius around the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant. (Reuters, March 24) Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Friday that residents living between 20 and 30 km from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant are being urged to “voluntarily evacuate” because of the possibility of further radiation leaks and the increasing difficulty in obtaining basic necessities due to the disruption of basic services and because a growing number of people have expressed a desire to evacuate. Residents in those areas had been previously told to stay indoors. Edano stressed that current radiation levels in the area do not necessitate immediate evacuation. On March 12, the GoJ had told residents living within 20 km of the plant to evacuate and on March 15 recommended those living within 20 to 30 km of the plant to stay indoors. (Asahi, Japan Times, March 26)

A GoJ survey says that there are 19,600 vacant public houses across the country that can be used to accommodate evacuees. This will be combined with shelters such as sports stadiums to house large numbers of people. (OCHA, March 20) The Tokyo Metropolitan government has opened Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, which can accommodate 1,600 evacuees and Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, which can accommodate 3,000 people. (Japan Times, March 23)

According to the UN, the construction of temporary shelters has started in Iwate and Fukushima prefectures and preparations are ongoing in Miyagi, Tochigi and Chiba. In Miyagi, 1,000 temporary housing is planned initially, with more than 20,000 planned within a few years. In Fukushima, where nearly 20,000 households are displaced, 43 houses will be constructed within 3 weeks in Kunimi-cho. Another 14,000 are planned by the end of July. The prefectural government plans to make vacant public and private apartments available

The prefectural government of Osaka has begun accepting applications for free public housing, while Nagasaki prefecture has decided to accommodate 1,700 evacuees at hotels and hot spring inns for free up to two months. (Kyodo, March 22)

The MLIT has sent teams to affected areas to select locations for shelters. The standard specification of a family size shelter is 30 square meters and equipped with kitchen, toilet, bathroom and heater. The GoJ will provide US$29,600 (2,387,000 yen) subsidy per shelter. The construction of 200 temporary houses for evacuees has started in Rikuzentakata City, in Iwate Prefecture. Iwate’s government plans to build a total of 8,800 houses. (Japan Times March 19) In the cities of Kamaishi and Miyako in Iwate prefecture, the construction of temporary housing has begun. The city government says it needs 3,000 units to accommodate more than 4,900 evacuees, NHK reported. In Miyako, the first 250 units will be built on the grounds of a hotel run by the local government and households with elderly and infants given priority. The municipal government of Ofunato also announced that they would begin construction on March 25. (NHK, OCHA, March 25)

The MLIT estimates 8,800 temporary houses are needed in Iwate, 10,000 in Miyagi and 14,000 in Fukushima for the short-term. The GoJ has requested a consortium of constructors to build at least 30,000 temporary houses in two months. (Asahi, OCHA, March 19-20) Tochigi and Chiba prefectures have also made requests for planned housing, bringing the total number requested of planned housing to 33,175. (OCHA, March 21)

The Japan Tourism Agency reported that 80 hotels in Yamagata, Akita and Gunma have made available rooms for some 29,000 people. Stays will be at public expense and for one month. The JTA is looking for more available rooms. (OCHA, March 22) Around 10,000 hotel rooms are available. (OCHA. March 25)

Health

For the first time since the disaster struck, the GoJ on Sunday allowed a foreign medical team to enter the country to treat survivors. A team of 53 medical workers from Israel arrived to deploy to Minamisanriku in Miyagi prefecture where they plan to set up a field clinic and assist local doctors. According to the Japan Times, the GoJ is considering accepting more foreign medics. (Japan Times, March 28)

Local medical associations have reported out of 231 hospitals in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi, 121 (52%) are unable to accept new patients, and 33 (14%) are unable to accept any patients due to lack of resources, including staff. (WHO, March 26)

According to the WHO, an ad-hoc surveillance system has been developed by the Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases at: http://www.syndromic- surveillance.net/hinanjo/index.html (in Japanese) (WHO, March 26)

According to a survey on mental health issues in Iwate where some 73 centers were surveyed, around 60 percent of the centers have patients who need immediate psychosocial support, according to the WHO. According to the WHO as of March 25, a total of 25 mental health care teams have been deployed to provide psychosocial healthcare to affected areas, with an additional 7 teams mobilized or on standby. (WHO, March 26)

Around 101 teams, comprised of 542 members from the National Hospital Institution, Japan Red Cross Society, Japan Medical Association, etc. are in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi.

Around 234 pharmacists from the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and Japanese Society of Hospital Pharmacists are deployed to Miyagi, Fukushima Iwate and Ibaragi.

On March 25, the Japanese Nursing Association dispatched 76 nurses to Miyagi and Iwate. Around 97 public health nurse teams have been deployed to evacuation centers and public health centers. An additional 9 teams have been mobilized or on standby. (WHO, March 26)

The Japan National Council of Social Welfare has deployed 27 staff to Iwate, 63 staff to Miyagi and 22 staff to Fukushima. (OCHA, March 25)

According to MSF, the emergency phase of the disaster appears to be winding down as Japanese Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) withdraw and local officials are gradually taking over responsibility for medical care. The group says its main activity continues to be consultations with elderly patients suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. (MSF, March 24)

According to the UN, the MHLW is assessing the capacity of social welfare facilities in non affected prefectures. The ministry found space for 31,294 in elderly facilities, 8,756 in handicapped facilities, 6,752 in child welfare facilities and 734 in other protection facilities. (OCHA, March 23)

The MHLW has prepared a mental care guidebook that is being distributed. A Web site has been set up to provide information for counselors and teachers: http://www.ncnp.go.jp/mental_info/index.html.

Food

Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered the governor of Fukushima to tell local people not to eat certain leafy vegetables harvested from Fukushima after finding radioactive materials beyond the legal limit. Shipments of milk and parsley from Ibaraki, as well as vegetables from Fukushima were also suspended. GoJ officials say there are no immediate health risks but the orders are “precautionary” measures. (Japan Times, March 23)

Other countries in Asia have increased screening of Japanese food imports including China, South Korea, and the Philippines. (Kyodo, March 22) Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, Australia and the US have restricted some food imports from Japan. (CNN, Kyodo, March 24)

The Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters reports that approximately 10.7 million meals have been delivered to evacuation centers and hospitals in the affected areas to date. An estimated 890,000 meals were delivered on March 26. According to OCHA, the figure does not include food distributions by municipalities, NGOs, the private sector and the JSDF. (OCHA, March 28)

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is coordinating with the private sector to mobilize food and water. MAFF is also coordinating with organizations under its jurisdiction to share its reserved fuel and stockpiles of food with hospitals. (OCHA, March-16)

Non-Food Items (NFIs)

To date, the SDF has delivered 4,720 blankets and 46,580 liters of fuel. (OCHA, March 21)

The Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters reports that some 380,000 blankets and 90,000 diapers have been delivered to affected areas to date. There are 106,000 diapers in transit. JRC has also delivered 122,530 blankets. (OCHA, March 21)

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

OCHA reports the water supply to 170,000 households has improved since March 25, however, 490,000 households were still without water in 10 prefectures. (OCHA, March 28)

The Emergency Disaster response Headquarters reports some 4.3 million bottles of water have been delivered to evacuation centers thus far. (OCHA, March 28)

The MLIT has deployed a total of 786 specialists to assess the sewage systems in affected areas. (OCHA, March 25) According to OCHA, the MLIT reports that 15 sewage systems are not functioning or damaged in Iwate, 59 in Miyagi, and 14 in Fukushima. (OCHA, March 28)

According to the UN, the Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters reports that in total, an estimated 3.4 million bottles of water have been delivered to evacuation centers in the affected areas. Another 1 million is in transit. According to the GoJ there are no more deliveries of latrines planned. The MHLW is coordinating 488 water companies for emergency water supply and will send water supply vehicles to Miyagi (213 vehicles), Fukushima (39 vehicles) and Iwate (82 vehicles), according to the UN. (OCHA, March 28)

Education

Over 6,600 schools in 24 prefectures have structural damage due to the disaster, OCHA reported. There are about 399 schools currently being used as evacuation centers. 1,751 schools in eight prefectures are currently closed. (OCHA, March 28)

According to the Education Ministry, around 670,000 textbooks have been lost or damaged due to the disaster. (OCHA, March 28)

According to the UN, the academic year will begin in April and many schools in Miyagi are not ready to receive students. Some schools are continuing to serve as evacuation centers, or need to be repaired. Also, without public transport it will be difficult for students to commute, according to the UN. (OCHA, March 25)

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is allowing school children affected by the disaster to transfer without the necessary documents. (OCHA, March 21)

Communications

Telecommunications continues to improve. Some 124,941 telephone lines remain out of service compared with 226,000 damaged lines reported March 22. 1.88 million lines in total, were damaged by the disaster. A reported 2,291 base stations of mobile companies are not working. Some mobile companies are offering free satellite, cell phone, charging services as well as disaster messaging services, according to the UN. (WHO, March 26) The UN reported March 22 that more than 90 percent of telecommunications have been restored.

The UN reports 12 new radio stations have opened in northern Japan. Radio remains an important source of information for many people as electricity still has not been restored in many affected areas. Some stations are broadcasting in foreign languages. (OCHA, March 22)

Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries says the total damage to agriculture in the affected areas is estimated to be US$653 million and US$111 million in forestry. The UN says that the damage to fisheries is still unknown, but almost 2,350 boats are reported damaged in Hokkaido, Aomori, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba. Over 80 percent of fishing boats and all fishing ports are damaged in Fukushima. In Miyagi and Iwate an estimated 20,000 boats have been damaged. The Tohoku region produces around 15.7 percent of agricultural products and 16.2 percent of fisheries in Japan, according to the UN. (OCHA, March 23)

The Ministry of Agriculture reports a total of 20,000 hectares of agricultural land in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures has been damaged. According to the UN, experts estimate desalination will take longer than one year. (OCHA, March 25)

The Ministry is planning to provide a subsidy to fishery unions for the removal of debris in the ocean to help the affected rebuild their livelihoods. (OCHA, March 25)

Status of nuclear power plants

The situation surrounding Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant is stabilizing but remains serious. Since the March 11 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami, five of the six nuclear power reactors have experienced varying degrees of emergency due to loss of electric power. Radiation levels released and/or leaked from Daiichi reactors have significantly increased, causing widespread fears of radiological contamination. On 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). A 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 core had experienced severe damage. Severity level for Daiichi Unit 4 reactor remains at 4. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said on Tuesday (Mar-22) that all six Units at the plant have been connected to external power. (NHK, Kyodo, Mar-22) TEPCO said on Wednesday (March 23) that efforts were underway to restore key equipment at Unit 1 & Unit 2 reactors, adding that water pumps at these units appear to have been damaged. There are no indications of problems with either the reactor pressure vessel or the primary containment vessel at the Unit 1 reactor. TEPCO has turned on the lights in the control rooms of five of the six downed reactors with the reactor at Unit 4 being the only one without power in its control room. (Kyodo, Mar-26). IAEA is reporting that Japanese authorities have informed them that fresh water is now being used in place of sea water to cool the reactor pressure vessels at Units 1, 2 and 3 reactors at Fukushima Daiichi. (IAEA, Mar-26). Authorities plan to switch over from seawater to freshwater at the spent fuel storage pools of the Unit 2 and 4 reactors by Sunday (March 27). Following the success of freshwater use at the Unit 1 reactor that has helped stabilize the condition, authorities now want to accelerate this process. (NHK, Mar-26). Electricity and lighting in Unit 1 reactor’s control room was restored on Thursday (March 24), while workers also began pumping fresh water into the Unit 1 reactor earlier this morning (Friday, March 25). White smoke continued to generate from Unit 1 on Friday. The pressure in the reactor’s containment vessel remains high, but has stabilized. (IAEA, NHK, NISA, Mar 25). The main concern is the spent fuel pool, where water is being injected to keep it from overheating. There are serious concerns about the Unit 2 reactor where the reactor core is believed to have been damaged and the containment vessel may no longer be intact following an explosion on March 15. Higher radiation levels and periodic discharge of smoke around Unit

2 reactor are impeding recovery efforts. White smoke continues to generate at Unit 2 reactor. Engineers are working to restore electricity to the main control room, instrumentation and cooling systems of the Unit 2 reactor. Work is underway to inject fresh water into the Unit 2 reactor. (IAEA, NHK, NISA, Mar 25). Authorities believe that the core of the reactor at Unit 3 is damaged and that the reactor’s primary containment vessel may not be fully intact. There are also concerns about the spent fuel pool at Unit 3 as injection of seawater continues to cool the reactor core and the spent fuel pools. On Friday (Mar-25), workers began pumping fresh water into the reactor at Unit 3. (IAEA, NHK, NISA, Mar-25). Authorities have found pools of highly radioactive water at the turbine buildings of Units 1, 2 and 4, after three workers were exposed to highly radioactive substances in a similar pool at the turbine building of the Unit 3 reactor, while performing cable work on Thursday (Mar-24). The radioactivity levels in the water were some 10,000 times higher than the normal limits. (Kyodo, Mar-26). Work is underway to drain the highly radioactive water at the turbine buildings of the Units 1, 2, 3 and 4 reactors. Experts remain unsure about the source of radiation leak into these water pools. (Kyodo, Yomiuri, Mar- 26).

On Monday (Mar-28), TEPCO announced that it had found a highly radioactive pool of water in a trench outside the Unit 2 reactor on Sunday (Mar-27). It said a 4 meter high and 3 meter wide concrete trench, which houses power cables and pipes, extends some 76 meters toward the sea, but does not reach the sea. TEPCO said that levels of 1,000 millisieverts per hour were recorded on Sunday in a puddle of water in the basement of the Unit 2 reactor turbine building. It said the levels were some 100,000 times higher than found in water in a normally operating reactor. Substances found in the water that exceeded the normal limits included Iodine-131, Cesium-134, Cesium-136, Cesium-137, Barium-140 and Lanthanum-140, with Cesium-137 having the longest half-life of 30-years and Lanthanum with the shortest half-life of just 2 days. Authorities have yet to conclusively identify the source of contamination. According to NISA, radioactive water should be removed as soon as possible to ensure worker safety. (Kyodo, NHK, NISA, Mar-27-28). Besides the discovery of highly radioactive water pools at reactor building of Unit 1-4, there has not been any change in the status and/or condition of the reactors and/or the spent fuel pools as authorities continue to inject fresh water to cool them down. (IAEA, Mar-27). White smoke was confirmed to continue to generate from the reactor at Unit 4. There is no fuel in the reactor core of Unit 4, as it was removed before the quake. However, authorities remain concerned about the condition of the spent fuel pool at the Unit 4 reactor. Water was sprayed at the spent fuel pool using a concrete pump truck. Injection of sea water was also carried out via the Fuel Pool Cooling Line. (IAEA, NHK, NISA, Mar-25). According to NISA, external power to the various meters and gauges at Units 1, 3, and 4 reactors was restored earlier on Wednesday enabling certain measurements, such as temperatures, to be taken in the reactors. Since Saturday, workers have been able to inject more water into reactors at Unit 1 & 3 that were overheating. Temperatures have since eased to less serious levels. Both reactors at Unit 5 & 6 are now connected to external power source with cooling systems reportedly stable and under control with low temperature and pressure within the reactor core. Repair of the temporary pump for Residual Heat removal (RHR) was completed as of 24 March and cooling restarted 21 minutes later. (IAEA, NISA, Japan Times, Mar-23)

TEPCO said on Monday (Mar-28) that plutonium has been detected in soil samples taken from five locations at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. It said the plutonium is believed to have been discharged from nuclear fuel at the plant. TEPCO did not disclose the type of plutonium isotope. Some plutonium isotopes have a very long half-life. (Kyodo, Mar-28). Japanese authorities announced on Wednesday (Mar-23) that extremely high levels of radioactive contamination were found in soil some 25 miles northwest of the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Soil samples collected from some 2 inches (5 centimeters) below the surface from six locations showed levels of cesium-137 that are 1,600 times higher than the normal levels. Cesium can remain in the environment for about 30 years and thus could affect agricultural products for a long time. (NHK, Mar-23). Abnormally high levels of radioactive substances have been detected in seawater as far as 10 miles from Fukushima Daiichi plant. Citing TEPCO, the Japan Times reported that samples of seawater collected on Friday (Mar-25), some 330 meters south of the plant’s drainage exit, contained radioactive iodine (iodine-131) at a level 1,250 times higher than legal limit. Previous levels recorded earlier in the week were only 126.7 times above the normal limit. (Japan Times, Mar-26). Levels of Cesium-134and Cesium-137 were 24.8 times and 16.5 times higher than the regulated limit respectively. Seawater sampled some 10 miles south of the plant registered levels of iodine-131 that were 16.4 times higher than normal limits. Experts say the impact of higher levels of iodine was not as serious as it had a half-life of 8 days. However, cesium has a much longer half-life and accumulates in marine life and thus is a more serious concern. (NHK, Kydo, Mar-22)

Economic Damages

On Wednesday, the GoJ said that losses from the disaster could total up to 25 trillion yen (US$309 billion). According to the Cabinet Office, the destruction of social infrastructure, housing and corporate facilities in the area could cost between 16 trillion and 25 trillion yen, and could push the nation’s economic growth rate lower by 0.5 percent. (Kyodo, March 23)

The World Bank says that rebuilding will cost up to US$235 billion, equivalent to between 2.5% and 4% of the country’s economic output in 2010. The Bank says that it will take Japan at least five years to rebuild affected areas. The Bank also estimates 0.5 percentage points will be shaved from the country’s economic growth this year but it expects growth to pick up again in the second half of this year. The 1995 Kobe earthquake caused some US$100 billion in damage (then the equivalent to 2% of Japan’s GDP according to the Bank). (BBC, Reuters, UN, March 21)

The WB reports that the northeastern region of Tohoku accounts for some 8 percent of the Japanese economy. The region is home to steel mills, ports and manufacturers of auto and electronic components. (BBC, March 21)

According to a report by the Yomiuri Shimbun, many Japanese manufacturers have been forced to suspend production due to a shortage of parts caused by the disaster. Domestic automakers have been among the most affected by the lack of parts. The effects have affected even overseas manufacturers. However, the report says that some domestic factories have resumed or will resume production as roads are reopened and power restored to affected areas. (Daily Yomiuri, March 24) The disaster has prevented automakers from producing some 356,600 vehicles. (Kyodo, March 25)

Public and private financial institutions have pledged to aid Tokyo Electric Power CO. (TEPCO) as it struggles to deal with its Fukushima nuclear plant. According to sources, the Yomiuri reports that seven major banks have decided to offer TEPCO an emergency loan package of around 2 trillion yen (US$24.6 billion). The GoJ is also considering loans though the Development Bank of Japan and other GoJ affiliated institutions. (Yomiuri, March 25)

The government of Miyagi prefecture announced that damage caused to infrastructure including bridges and ports, sewage treatment plants and schools comes to over US$122.3 billion (1 trillion yen). (Kyodo News, March 28)

Government Response

Immediately following the disaster, the Government of Japan (GoJ) established an Emergency Response Team, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) swung into full action on March 12, and all available SDF resources were mobilized for rescue efforts. The Ministry of National Defense has deployed over 100,000 JSDF troops to lead the relief effort. The GoJ also officially decided to dispatch 10,000 SDF reserve personnel, which is their first deployment since the SDF was established in 1954. (Kyodo, Mar-16) As of Thursday (Mar 24), the 106,100 JSDF personnel deployed to the worst-affected areas, have reportedly saved an estimated 19,300 lives. (CSIS, Mar 25)

On Saturday (Mar 26), the head of the SDF Joint Staff Office, General Ryoichi Oriki, and Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Patrick Walsh, met at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, agreeing to share information on the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant and cooperate in resolving the problem. Following the meeting, Walsh told reporters that he is sharing all the ability and experience his experts can offer with the SDF. NHK reports that US forces are sending a vessel, carrying a large amount of fresh water to be used to cool the nuclear plant. (NHK, Mar 26)

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the GoJ has ramped up their relief efforts. IFRC reports an estimated 106,000 personnel from the JSDF, 8,481 from the national police force and 4,600 teams (19,000 people) from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency deployed. The GoJ has also deployed 23 psychosocial support teams, as the specific area becomes an increasing need. (IFRC, Mar 28)

The GoJ announced on March 18 that the Special Task Force for Livelihood Support of the Affected Populations is now operational. The new task force is responsible for ensuring that aid reaches the evacuation centers. Additionally, it will coordinate with the Disaster Volunteer Coordination Office. (OCHA, Mar 21)

The Ministry of Defense has formed a civil assistance cell, in which Japan SDF will liaise with the Prefectural and Municipal governments to determine the types and quantity of relief items needed. (OCHA, Mar 22)

The GoJ launched the newly created Special Headquarters for Measures to Assist the Lives of Disaster Victims, and as of March 20 was operating. (USAID, WHO, Mar 22) The headquarters will relocate displaced people to unaffected prefectures, and is working to minimize the burden on local governments in the host prefectures. The GoJ Chief Cabinet Secretary reports that the special headquarters will meet regularly to ensure that displaced individuals receive adequate support. (USAID, Mar 22)

To address fuel shortages, the GoJ is setting up ‘makeshift service stations’ at evacuation centers and elsewhere in impacted areas. OCHA reported that Japan SDF will provide 10 to 20 locations with 1,000, 200 liter drums, and the fuel will be free. (OCHA, Mar 28)

The National Police Agency (NPA) 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 March 17. (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 March 12. The central government sent senior officials and troops to the nuclear plant to help cope with the emergency. The GoJ asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to deploy a technical support team to the affected area and coordinate international nuclear response support to Japan through the Response and Assistance Network (RANET). A US nuclear expert team is supporting Japanese counterparts in handling the emergency. (OCHA, Mar 15) Since March 17, the JSDF together with a Tokyo Fire Department special unit and fire department units from a couple of other prefectures have conducted water spraying operations. The GoJ on Tuesday (Mar 22) ordered the JSDF to also monitor plant temperatures daily using their CH-47 helicopters. (CSIS, Mar 25)

The Japan postal system has deployed small orange trucks to help people withdraw money as many people in outer areas such as Miyagi and Iwate have their savings in postal bank accounts. (Reuters, Mar 24)

The Sendai Bank has also opened a mobile “bank in a bus” service. (Reuters, Mar 24) Information from the Government of Japan can be found at http://www.kantei.go.jp.

National Response

The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) continues to conduct relief operations in its mandated role as auxiliary to the GoJ during disasters. They are providing medical relief, psychosocial support (PSP), ongoing provision of full blood services, distributing relief supplies, and are collecting voluntary donations. As of Sunday (Mar 27), JRCS has deployed 397 medical missions, involving over 2,400 staff. The National Society has distributed over 125,000 blankets, 25,000 emergency relief packs and 11,000 sleeping kits. JRCS teams are also supporting local health facilities, and now have mobile clinics serving remote and hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, recognizing that the disaster is having a strong psychological impact, especially among children, the National Society has 2,369 nurses who are trained and ready to provided PSP services. The JRCS has received over US$249 million in financial support. (OCHA, Mar 23)

The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) reported some 101 medical teams, consisting of 542 members responding to Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefecture from the National Hospital Institution, JRCS, Japan Medical Association (JMA), etc. (WHO, Mar 26)

In response to damages caused to the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the JRC remains prepared to support those evacuated from the exclusion zone. All of the JRC branches (47) are equipped with special equipment to cope with nuclear, biological or chemical disasters. (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 of Monday (Mar 28), the family links website, which is usable in six languages, has 5,619 registrations. (IFRC, Mar 28)

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, Mar 15)

The Japan Medical Association (JMA) started to ship insulin to affected sties, but ran into difficulty in reaching affected areas because of bad road conditions and lack of petrol. (WHO, Mar 24)

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.

Some NGOs are working through Japan Platform (JPF), an established emergency humanitarian aid NGO, working as an umbrella agency for Japanese NGOs supporting refugees and disasters globally. JPF is distributing food and water in Sendai city and coordinating JPF member organizations. (SEEDS, Mar 20)

A representative from JPF has joined the OCHA team, based at JICA Tokyo International Center. On Wednesday (Mar 23), MapAction conducted a workshop for JPF members doing field assessments, data sources, information management and mapping tools. All MapAction data, including 3W data and mapping products, were handed over to JPF in anticipation that they will soon be able to maintain and disseminate the products. (OCHA, Mar 23)

Together with the Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), the JPF made an appeal to international NGOs for disaster-related activities in East Japan on Monday (Mar 21). The JPF appealed a number of points based on the present situation, including strongly advising foreign NGOs to inform and consult with a Prefectural Disaster Volunteer Centers (DVC) before starting activities, and to keep in close contact with municipality DVCs. JPF and JANIC also advised NGOs to support Social Welfare Councils and DVCs in many ways, as some are still struggling to establish and sustain their activities, and recommended a small number of foreign NGO’s staff members, as a huge number of individual volunteers working in affected areas will soon be available in Japan. (JPF, Mar 21)

Charity Platform’s Just Giving project collected over US$2.7 million (220 million Yen) to support NGO Civic Force. (SEEDS, Mar 21) Civic Force has disclosed a list of 119 required supply items through its on-the-ground survey. Japanese NGOs on the ground are focusing on the least supported population and supply needs through coordination with local municipalities, the National Council of Social Welfare, and local volunteer centers set up at each prefecture. (SEEDS, Mar 25)

SEEDS Asia is providing information assistance and coordinating Asian Disaster Relief NGOs.

Separated by prefecture, the following provides information on active National NGOs:

Iwate Prefecture: The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) is providing fuel, water, food, hygiene products and emergency relief item distribution in Otsuchi town. The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has doctors, nurses and coordinators providing medical assistance and distribution of basic supplies in Kamaishi City and Otsuchi town. The Basic Human Needs Association (BHN), is planning on temporary internet infrastructure installation and distribution of communication tools in Tono City. CARE has provided emergency relief items to Kamaishi city. The Foundation for International Development/Relief (FIDR) is distributing snacks in Shiogama in Iwate Prefecture. Good Neighbors distributed relief and hygiene products in Otsuchi town and Kamaishi city. KnK (Children without Borders) is providing assistance in childcare and education in Rikuzentakata City. The NGO collaboration center for HANSHIN QUAKE Rehabilitation/CODE is based in Tono city in Iwate Prefecture, where it coordinates volunteer activities. The Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (NICCO) has conducted a site investigation in Rikuzentakata city. (SEEDS, Mar 20–28) Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) began to expand the distribution of emergency materials to Ofunato and Rikuzentakata City. (PWJ, Mar 20)

Miyagi Prefecture: The AAR is providing, fuel, water, food and emergency relief item distribution to 20 shelters in Kesennuma, Minami-sanriku, Sendai, Iwanuma, Ishinomaki, Higashi Matsushima city, Yamamoto town. Rice has been donated from “Farmin” an organic rice farm in Tome City in Miyagi, an area well known for its rice production. AAR Japan was entrusted by the farm to deliver the 300 kg of rice to survivors at a nursing home for the aged in Higashi- Matsushima. (AAR, Mar 28) Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Japan has provided food and emergency relief item distribution in Sendai, Osaki and Higashi Matsushima City. AMDA has doctors, nurses and coordinators, providing medical assistance and distribution of basic supplies in Minami-sanriku. Relief items from Civic Force continue to reach Kesennuma City, while major companies are providing cash/in-kind donations. Civic Force disclosed a list of 119 required relief items, and started the largest private regular logistics service with ten 4-ton trucks. The Foundation for International Development/Relief (FIDR) is distributing snacks in Kesennuma and Minami-sanriku City. Humanitarian Medical Assistance (HuMA) is providing medical aid in Minami-sanriku. The Japan Asian Association and Asian Friendship Society (JAFS) is providing, food, NFI in Tome and Minami-sanriku. Japan Heart is providing medical care in Miyagi Prefecture, disseminating psychological care information through its Web site. Japan Emergency NGOs (JEN) sent staffs to Sendai, and identified deterioration of sanitation in the affected area. On Monday (Mar 21), JEN reported distributing food and basic relief items in Sendai. The organization is accepting listed in-kind donation from the public on a weekly basis. The IRC is contributing to aid operations of JEN Japan, which is preparing hot meals at evacuation centers and initiating psychosocial care for survivors at the evacuation sites, with a focus on children. (IRC, Mar 24) The Japan International Food for the Hungry (JIFH) is distributing food and basic supplies in Kesennuma City, Higashi Matsushima and Tagajo, with international aid workers joining its base camp. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) distributed basic medical supply items in Natori City, and relief items in Ishinomaki. The NGO collaboration center for HANSHIN QUAKE Rehabilitation/CODE is providing food in Natori city. NICCO is providing medical assistance, including psychological care, toiletries distribution and portable toilet set-up in Natori and Iwanuma City. Plan Japan is providing psychological care for children at a teachers training event in Tagajo. They also were collecting donations for emergency supply and WatSan/Education. Plan will distribute 1,000 ‘family kits’ to many of those left homeless as part of its initial three-month aid program. Also, efforts will be directed towards school-centered activities to provide psychological care for children. Plan has made assessment visits to the cities of Tagajo and Ishinomaki, both east of Sendai. (Plan, Mar 24) PWJ, working with Mercy Corps, is distributing relief items, including large emergency disaster shelters, food, sanitary items and a land transportation team of four. They also report operating in Minami- sanriku. PWJ is also providing free iridium satellite telephone services and mobile phone charging series in Kesennuma City. The IRC has been supporting PWJ efforts. (IRC, Mar 24) Rocinantes is providing medical assistance in Natori and Iwanuma City. SHARE is providing medical assistance in Natori City, providing medical need information in English. Shanti is distributing relief items and food in Kesennuma. World Vision Japan (WVJ) is distributing water and toiletries in Tome City and Minami-sanriku. (SEEDS, Mar 20–28)

Fukushima Prefecture: Child Fund distributed hygiene products in Minami Soma City. JIFH is distributing food and basic supplies in Date City. (SEEDS, Mar 21-23)

Ibaraki Prefecture: KnK (Children without Borders) has completed distribution of basic relief items and baby formula milk in Kita Ibaraki city. (SEEDS, Mar 28) Shaplaneer is providing food and relief items in Kita Ibaraki City. (SEEDS, Mar 21)

Other national humanitarian organizations include: Caritas Japan planning psychological care, the Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) plans to dispatch staff to disaster areas, Oxfam Japan will provide support for pregnant woman and small children and information assistance through the distribution of portable radios (est. 15,000 units) with Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP), and the Tohoku area pacific offshore earthquake multi-language support center is providing multi-language disaster related information. (SEEDS, Mar 20-28) Kokusai Kyogo, a Japanese company specializing in topographical mapping and GIS, is already working with the GoJ. (OCHA, Mar 15) A Japanese non-profit organization, Ryugaku Kyokai, or Study Abroad Support Council has started a consultation service for foreign students in Japan. For those affected by the massive disaster, Ryugaku Kyokai will help find temporary shelters, change schools, extend visas and make other necessary arrangements. Their services are available by telephone or through email. (NHK, Mar 25)

Serving as SEEDS Asia partner and leading community radio network, FMYY is collecting disaster related relief information and broadcasting in multi-language for the affected community in the Tohoku area. FMYY is also sharing real-time multi-language programs with local community radio networks in the affected area via MP3 files. (SEEDS, Mar 23)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) staff of 50 is providing medical assistance, running mobile clinics on the ground, conducting assessments and providing emergency relief items to Tome/Kesennuma City, Minami-sanriku town. MSF plans to support a team of six psychologists, from the Japanese Society of Certified Clinical Psychologists, who will treat victims of the disaster. They will help identify populations in need of assistance and will provide logistical support. On Wednesday (Mar 23), the medical NGO distributed 10,000 hygiene kits in Minami Sanriku, and plan to give out non-food item kits to 4,000 people on Friday and Saturday (Mar 25-26). (MSF, Mar 24)

MSF medical teams continue to work in evacuation centers in Minami Sanriku in Miyagi, and have started to support a Japanese doctor in the town of Taro in Iwate prefecture. MSF reports the main activity continues to be consultations with elderly patients suffering from chronic diseases.

International Response

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is coordinating all offers of international assistance. As of Thursday (March 24), the GoJ reported receiving offers of assistance from a total of 133 countries and 33 international organizations. (OCHA, Mar 25) The GoJ has accepted relief items from 24 countries. (OCHA, Mar 28) The GoJ has only accepted international support in a few specific areas, such as search and rescue teams, medical help and nuclear specialists. He also noted that more than 670 NGOs and other organizations had offered assistance to date. (OCHA, Mar 23)

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 by the GOJ 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) OCHA’s Director of Coordination and Response John Ging will visit Japan Sunday to Monday (March 20-21). (OCHA, Mar 19) In the wake of Japan’s nuclear crisis, Ban called a high-level meeting Friday (Mar 25) to “take stock of the international response to the latest developments” in Japan and encouraged countries “to consider lessons learned” in order to strengthen nuclear safety. (Reuters, Mar 25)

OCHA staff, along with colleagues from the WFP, USAID’s DART Team and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Office travelled by helicopter to Miyagi Prefecture on Thursday (March 24) with a mission to determine the need for further international assistance to affected areas. (OCHA, Mar 25) Following discussion with GoJ counterparts, OCHA noted that the need for any additional international humanitarian presence or internationally procured relief supplies is limited, and any assistance should only be given at the request of the GoJ and in accordance with their established criteria. Another significant note was to not overburden affected prefectures and local communities who are working at full capacity and do not have the resources to coordinate unsolicited offers of help. (OCHA, Mar 28)

During OCHA’s second visit to Miyagi Prefecture, with support on the ground by the NGO Peace Boat and local government, the team visited three evacuation centers in Ishinomaki. The team reported that significant humanitarian needs are still not being met due to coordination and logistical challenges, but their biggest concern was the extremely poor sanitation conditions at evacuation centers. OCHA is currently determining how to access Fukushima and Iwate in order to better understand residual humanitarian needs in those prefectures. (OCHA, Mar 28) The current OCHA presence will be un operating until April 6. (IFRC, Mar 28)

A nine-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team arrived in Tokyo on March 13. The UNDAC team supported 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) was set up in the premises of JICA Tokyo International Center. (OCHA, Mar 12-16). On Wednesday (Mar 23), UNDAC officially transferred reporting and some other functions to OCHA, which has a temporary presence in Japan, and is being supported by UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR) staff. (OCHA, Mar 23)

Regular updates, including MapAction products are available on the VOSOCC.

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 Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said on its website, that it is prepared to respond upon request from the GoJ to assess radioactive contamination of the agricultural environment, provide technical advice and facilitate international trade of foods. (IAEA, Mar 20)

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Japan Committee is providing assistance to affected children and their families by mobilizing its network of partners, including private sector, schools, religious groups and volunteers, in the areas of maternal and child health, education and psychosocial support. They have already received generous donations of supplies, which have already been distributed. The Japan Committee for UNICEF, working with the local government, has conducted a rapid needs assessment on the ground to better support children. From their main supply warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark, UNICEF has sent “School in a Box” kits, recreation kits and early childhood development kits. Also, UNICEF is providing children’s clothing and toys donated by its partner, IKEA. UNICEF’s main concern is to ensure that children’s education is uninterrupted and that they receive psychological support to recover from the events they have endured. (UNICEF, Mar 24-25)

Eight Japanese experts have been deployed from their UNICEF posts in countries around the world, including the US, Somalia and Afghanistan, to work with the Japan Committee for UNICEF.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing 1,794 solar lanterns for Miyagi Prefecture at the request of the GoJ. (OCHA, Mar 25)

The UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) dispatched emergency telecommunications equipment to severely affected areas in Japan. ITU reported March 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 March 13. (OCHA, Mar 11, 13) UNITAR/UNOSAT has produced a map (http://www.unitar.org/unosat/node/44/1549) that illustrates satellite- detected standing bodies of water remaining after the tsunami over the city of Sendai and affected areas south in Miyagi Prefecture. (OCHA, Mar 19)

The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) offered technical assistance and its Good Offices to Japan on March 14, which made available the agency’s direct support and coordination of international assistance. On March 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) Due to the confirmed presence of radioactive iodine contamination in food products measured in various prefectures by the Japanese MHLW, the IAEA has passed information to the UN’s FAO and WHO and will continue to report on this development. (IAEA, Mar 20) The IAEA is sending three more specialists to join its existing four-member team in Japan to measure the amount of radiation, including on vegetation. (OCHA, Mar 23)

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)

UN World Food Program (WFP) logistics experts are now helping move humanitarian aid to the most affected areas of Japan. TNT, the international express and mail delivery company, helped WFP to deliver items to affected areas. Together, they have coordinated the delivery of 59,000 blankets flown into Narita airport from Canada, India and Thailand. (WFP, Mar 22) Following a direct request from the GoJ, the UN agency launched a logistics operation to support the GoJ’s delivery of relief items. They will assist the JRC in the procurement and supply chain activities. Special Operation WFP will provide logistical expertise to participate in the GoJ’s central coordination response unit, the establishment of a logistics coordination cell at Narita Airport 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)

WFP noted that for the first time ever, the entire US$1.17 million required to support their operation was raised through donations from the general public, companies and their employees within 36 hours of launching an appeal. Almost half of the operational budget was donated by the American Red Cross. (WFP, Mar 22)

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned members of the general public on March 17, 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, Mar 17) The WHO Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO) situation room is operating 24/7 to collect information and to monitor evolving events, and is in communication and coordination with Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), WHO Kobe Center, the WHO Headquarters and partners for updates on radiation concerns, food safety issues, health situation in evacuation centers and other post-disaster health issues. The National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point of Japan has been appointed as the POC of WHO on the event. (WHO, Mar 23) The WPRO has been providing regular situation reports, including situation updates that have been posted on WHO websites. The UN agency also proactively develops FAQs based on inquiries from the countries, partners and the general public. (WHO, Mar 26)

The FAO-IAEA-WHO issued a Joint Statement on food safety issues following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear emergency. The agencies wanted to note that while some foods produced in Japan are likely to be contaminated by radionuclides at levels unsuitable for human consumption, there is no evidence food has been contaminated in any other country. (WHO, UN News, Mar 23-24)

Note: For information on the activities of Foreign Governments, NGOs and IOs in disaster-stricken areas in Japan, please refer to Annex A below.

ANNEX A:

(Foreign Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations/International Organizations)

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 sent dogs and search and rescue teams at the request of GoJ, and deployed 72 specialists and 22 tons of rescue and medical equipment. (OCHA, AFP, Mar 12) The Australians also provided nuclear expert assistance. (OCHA, Mar 16) The Royal Australian Air Force (RAFF) is working to help ferry personnel and supplies from Okinawa to the Japanese disaster zone as part of Operation Pacific Assist, the Australian Defense Force (ADF) 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. 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) At the request of Japan and the US, ADF’s support, under Operation Pacific Assist, has been extended for a week. Australia’s C-17A has been working closely with the US Forces Japan Air Operations Command. (GoA, Mar 20) Following advice from the GoJ, the Government of Australia will make a US$10 million donation to support recovery efforts to the Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal. (GoA, Mar 21) An Australian air force transport plane brought a high-powered water cannon truck to Yokota Air Base Tuesday (Mar 22), after being requested by the US to help recovery efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The truck will be sent to the nuclear plant if the Japanese authorities request it. (NHK, Mar 22)

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, Mar 16)

Austria: Rapid Response Health teams were mobilized from Austria (12 medical staff) and will arrive on March 14. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Botswana: The Government of the Republic of Botswana offered the donation of US$148,000 (est 12 million Yen) as relief money for Japan. (GoJ, Mar 24)

Brazil: The Government of Brazil announced the country’s donation of US$500,000, which will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society. (GoJ, Mar 22)

Bhutan: His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Kingdom of Bhutan, made a donation of US$1 million on March 16. (GoJ, Mar 22)

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, has provided some 25,000 woven thermal wool blankets. (CIDA, GoC, Mar 16)

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

China: A 15-member Chinese International SAR Team operated in Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture, and brought four tons of materials and equipment, and their own power supply and telecommunication. China will provide US$4.56 million (30 million Yuan) worth of relief supplies. 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)

Croatia: The Government of the Republic of Croatia told the GoJ that they will provide relief money of US$692,000 through the Croatian Red Cross Society. (GoJ, Mar 22)

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)/ European Commission (ECHO): The Civil Protection coordination mechanism (MIC) dispatched a civil liaison officer to Japan March 13 to reinforce the EU Delegation in Tokyo and prepare for a possible deployment of a coordination team. (EU, Mar 14) The EU MIC sent a team to coordinate in-kind support from EU Member-States. The team is completely self-sufficient in terms of fuel, language, food, water, transport and drivers. At the request of the GoJ, the team will provide food, bottled water, temporary and disposable toilets, tents, plastic gloves and blankets. (OCHA, Mar 19) The EU Civil Protection (EUCP) Team arrived Sunday (Mar 20), participating in several meetings with the MOFA, Embassies of EU Member states, the IFRC and logistical partners discussing the radiological situation. They have been working on solutions for the delivery of assistance. As of Tuesday (Mar 22), 17 Participating States have offered in-kind or financial assistance to Japan. An aircraft will arrive March 23 to deliver 70 tons of European assistance, consisting of over 26,000 blankets, several hundred mattresses and sleeping bags. (ECHO, Mar 22) Approximately 70 tons of relief supplies from the EU arrived at Narita Airport Thursday (Mar 24), consisting of 25,000 blankets, 2,000 mattresses and 300 sleeping bags. These supplies, which came from Denmark, Lithuania and the Netherlands, will be delivered in areas of need in Ibaraki Prefecture. As of Wednesday (Mar 23), 13 EU member states have announced their intention to provide material aid through the EU. (GoJ, Mar 24)

The MIC has received various offers from Participating States, including some 100,000 blankets. The MIC is urging States to wait with the deployment of assistance until the 16- member EU Civil Protection Team (EUCP) is in place, necessary warehousing is provided and operational arrangements are in place for distribution of relief. (ECHO, March 17, 18)

France: France deployed a search and rescue team consisting of 134 personnel. (Reuters, Mar 14) AREVA, France-based nuclear energy firm, 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 March 18. 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) The Government of the French Republic has also sent 8,000 blankets, which arrived at Kansai International Airport on March 19. The blankets will be sent to affected areas in Miyagi and Yamagata Prefecture, based on need. (GoJ, Mar 23)

Gabon: The Government of the Gabonese Republic announced its donation of US$1 million (est 80 million Yen) as relief money to the JRCS. (GoJ, Mar 23)

Georgia: According to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, the country has provided US$1 million through the Red Cross for relief efforts for Japan. (UNA Georgia, Mar 26)

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

Hong Kong: The Government of Hong Kong has approved a grant from the Disaster Relief Fund for US$1 million to Save the Children Hong Kong for providing relief to earthquake victims in Japan. (GoHK, Mar 25)

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 25,000 blankets. (GoI, Mar 17) OCHA reported that India will be deploying a 50 person team, including medical personnel. (OCHA, Mar 19)

Iran: The Islamic Republic of Iran sent an airplane carrying relief supplies, including foodstuffs, to Japan, which will arrive at Narita Airport on Thursday (Mar 24). (GoJ, Mar 25)

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. 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)

Israel: A preliminary Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Homefront Command medical delegation, consisting of two doctors and a Homefront Command officer, arrived on March 21 in Miyagi prefecture to begin appraising requirements that will enable the dispatch of the full-scale medical delegation. The Israeli medical delegation will establish a medical clinic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Israeli embassy in Tokyo will facilitate the dispatch of the team, and will coordinate communications between the Japanese authorities and the IDF Homefront Command. (GoI, Mar 21)

Kyrgyz Republic: On March 18, relief supplies from the government of the Kyrgyz Republic were delivered. Based on the needs of those affected, GoKR transported some 2.5 tons of mineral water, which will be delivered to Miyagi Prefecture. (GoJ, Mar 20)

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) The donation will be used as relief money through the JRCS. On Sunday (Mar 20), delegates across the country who attended the Ninth Party Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party announced they would donate an estimated US$90,000 as relief money. (GoJ, Mar 27)

Latvia: The Government of the Republic of Latvia said they will provide relief money of US$201,000 (est 16.3 million Yen). (GoJ, Mar 24)

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: The GoJ accepted the help of an emergency rescue team from Mongolia. The 12 member rescue team is from the National Emergency Management Agency of Mongolia. (GoJ, Mar 15) On Thursday (Mar 24), the Government of Mongolia announced that a US$1 million donation they had offered soon after the disaster struck had been made. (GoJ, Mar 25)

Namibia: The Government of the Republic of Namibia offered a donation US$1 million (est 80 million Yen) as relief money. (GoJ, Mar 24)

Nepal: Five thousands blankets offered by Nepal is scheduled to arrive at Haneda airport on Saturday (Mar 26).

Netherlands: The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands announced its donation of US$1.4 million (est 115 million Yen) on March 18, through the Netherlands Red Cross. Additionally, the country’s Red Cross has opened a special account for accepting donations from Dutch people, which will be directly used as relief money for Japan. (GoJ, Mar 24) On Thursday (Mar 24), a flight, carrying 70 tons of relief supplies, including blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags, from the Netherlands, Denmark and Lithuania, arrived in Japan. The supplies will be distributed in the affected areas by an EU coordination team in consultation with Japanese authorities. (GoN, Mar 25)

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

North Korea: North Korea’s Red Cross donated US$100,000 to its counterpart in Japan, while North Korean leader, Kim Jong-II separately sent US$500,000 to help pro-Pyongyang Koreans living in Japan who were affected by the disaster. (AFP, Mar 24)

Pakistan: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) dispatched two C-130 aircrafts on Thursday (Mar 24), carrying 24 metric tons of urgently needed food items, including 13.5 tons of High Energy Biscuits, 9 tons of milk and 500 bottles of clean drinking water. (GoP, Mar 24)

Philippines: The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is prepared to deploy a search and rescue contingent, if requested. (ASEAN, Mar 16) Relief goods, consisting of 1,500 food packs, 12,000 cup noodles and 1,000 bath towels, from the Philippine Government arrived at Narita Airport on Friday (Mar 25) night. The goods will be distributed in Miyagi Prefecture, while 1,000 plastic mats and 5,000 dust masks will be given out in Iwate Prefecture. (GoJ, Mar 28)

Russia: A group of EMERCOM rescuers, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, arrived in Tokyo March 14. (GoRF, Reuters, Mar 14) In Sendai, 79 Russian rescuers commenced SAR operations in the northeastern part of Sendai on March 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 on March 16, bringing the total number of Russian personnel to 82. Rosatom has offered to help in responding to problems at the nuclear plants. The Government of Russia deployed rescue teams in two batches (total 156 personnel) to affected areas. Japan has accepted relief items, consisting of 17,200 blankets and 3.6 tons of drinking water, from Russia. Two airplanes carrying those relief supplies arrived at Tokyo’s Narita Airport on Saturday (Mar 19). (GoJ, Mar 19)

Samoa: The government of the Independent State of Samoa donated US$100,000 (est 8 million Yen) in response to the massive quake and tsunami. (GoJ, Mar 27)

Singapore Civil Defense Force’s Operation Lion Heart contingent was activated and consists of five search specialists and search dogs each. (ASEAN, Mar 16) Singapore also sent 4,350 blankets, 20,000 bottles of mineral water, 3,000 plastic water containers, 4,400 portions of emergency food and 200 mattresses. (GoJ, Mar 19)

Slovakia: The Government of the Slovak Republic offered a donation of US$142,000 (11.5 million Yen) to the JRC in response to the disaster. (GoJ, Mar 23)

Slovenia: The Government of the Republic of Slovenia offered a donation US$211,435 (est. 17.3 million Yen) through the Slovenian Red Cross Society. (GoJ, Mar 27)

South Africa: A 47-member South African Search and Rescue team has deployed to assist in Japan. (OCHA, Mar 19)

South Korea (ROK): The GoJ accepted a team from the Republic of South Korea (ROK) on March 13. Consisting of 102 personnel, including rescue workers and two officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (GoJ, Mar 14) The Republic of Korea plans to transfer its reserve of boron. (OCHA, Mar 16) South Korea sent 6,000 blankets and 100 tons of water. To support rescue and relief operations, over 100 members of Korea’s National 119 Rescue Services were sent on March 14 to Sendai, in Kamo to perform SAR operations. They also worked in Tagajo and Shiogami on March 16, and were forced to move on to Niigata due to radiation levels, before returning to Korea on Wednesday (Mar 23). Additionally, Korean government staff, private organizations, religious groups in Korea and Korean celebrities have also sent significant amounts of aid, and been involved in several efforts to help Japan. (GoRK, Mar 23) The Korean Foreign Ministry has raised some US$21.5 million (24 million Won) to help Japan recover. The donation was delivered to the Korean Red Cross on Thursday for them to forward to the JRC. (GoRK, Mar 25)

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)

Sudan: The Government of Sudan will donate US$100,000 (est. 8 million Yen) as relief money for Japan. (GoJ, Mar 23)

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 March 14. A first batch of supplies has also been sent. (Reuters, Mar 14) Japanese authorities reported receiving 500 power generators from Taiwan Sunday (Mar 20). (Kyodo, Mar 20)

Thailand: Thailand’s cabinet 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. Two C-130 aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force arrived at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo Saturday (Mar 19), to distribute necessities, including drinking water, medicines and blankets, royally donated by Their Royal Highnesses Princess Soamsawali and Princess Bajrakitiyabha through the Princess Pa Foundation of the Thai Red Cross Society. With a capacity of 100 persons, the two aircraft will return to Thailand, Sunday (Mar 20), bringing along Thai citizens in Japan who have registered with the Thai embassy. Another C-130 plane was scheduled to leave for Japan. A medical team sent on March 14 has returned to Thailand, after completing its mission to provide physical treatment for Thai people injured in the major disaster. Japan’s medical service system was able to resume care and all Thai national were reportedly in healthy conditions. A Thai medical team of psychiatrists will stay in Japan for the now to provide mental health care for victims suffering from stress and anxiety. (GoJ, Mar 22) Their Majesties the King and Queen donated an est. US$165,000 (5 million Baht) through the JRC to assist victims in Japan. The Thai Ambassador to Japan will present the donation to the President of the JRC. (GoT, Mar 25)

Tonga: The Government of Tonga made a donation of US$200,000 (est 9 million Yen) in response to the massive quake and tsunami. (GoJ, Mar 27)

Turkey: The Republic of Turkey’s aid and rescue team arrived at Narita Airport on Saturday (Mar 19). After making preparations of equipment and fuel, the team of 32 departed to work in disaster-affected areas in Miyagi Prefecture. (GoJ, Mar 20)

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. (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 a medical support team, along with 11 tons of specialist rescue equipment, to join the international relief effort. They said it would send nuclear physicists if requested. (Reuters, Mar 14) According to Britain’s Department of International Development (DFID), Britain’s USAR team in northern Japan completed its mission on March 17, and has returned home. (Reuters, Mar 18) The British Ambassador and a team of consular staff are in Sendai to assess the damage and locate British nationals. 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) After an urgent request from Japanese authorities the UK will send 100 tons of bottled drinking water to people living in the Ibaraki prefecture. According to Britain’s International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, the water will be sent from Hong Kong and is set to arrive in Japan today (Monday, March 28). (DFID, Mar 28)

United States: US Pacific Command (PACOM) activated elements of Joint Task Force 519 (JTF 519), which is trained to respond to large scale crisis’ and contingencies that span the operational spectrum in the Asia Pacific region, to augment the staff of US Forces Japan (USFJ) to form Joint Support Force (JSF) on Thursday (Mar 24). Admiral Patrick Walsh, commander, US Pacific Fleet, will lead the JSF, which will coordinate the US military’s multifaceted support to the GoJ’s current and potential requests. The US military will be engaged in two dynamic operations focused on assisting the GoJ and JSDF. The JSF will oversee the US military’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response as part of Operation Tomodachi, and closely monitor the events related to the Fukushima nuclear power plant to provide consequence management assistance if requested. As commander of US Forces Japan (USFJ) Lt Gen Burton M Field, will serve as Deputy Commander JSF. The JSF is located at USFJ headquarters in Yokota Air Base, Japan and will be activated for the duration of Operation Tomodachi. (JSF, Mar 26)

The Joint Force Support Web Site (http://www.usfj.mil/JSF/Index.html) went live on Monday (Mar 28), including social media accounts.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates authorized up to US$35 million in initial Department of Defense (DoD) funds for humanitarian aid to Japan. (AFPS, Mar 17) US DoD 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. Admiral Robert Willard, commander of the US Pacific Command (PACOM), visited Japan’s Defense Ministry for consultations with SDF Chief of Staff Ryoichi Oriki and other officers on Monday (Mar 21). (Mainichi, Mar 23)

US Navy (USN)

US Seventh Fleet remains committed to assisting JSDF’s sustainment of life efforts, having 18,165 Sailor and Marine personnel, 19 ships and 133 aircraft, as of Monday (Mar 28) participating in Operation Tomodachi. Since Operation Tomodachi commenced, US Seventh Fleet forces have delivered 240 tons of HA/DR supplies to victims of the tsunami and quake in support of the efforts of the JSDF. (PACOM, Mar 28) They have aligned its efforts in support of the JSDF. In order to further coordinate delivery of relief supplies between forces, the 31st Maritime Expeditionary Unit sent a three man liaison officer team to join the 4th Division Japan Ground SDF (JGSDF), while a similar team of liaison officers from the 4th Division JGSDF will join the 31st MEU, (PACFLEET, Mar 24) Meanwhile, more LNO teams were sent from III MEF to the 2nd, 6th and 9th Division (JGDSF), which are operating in the quake, tsunami and nuclear crisis areas. (PACOM, Mar 25)

The USS Curtis Wilbur detached from operations Thursday (Mar 24) to return to Yokosuka for resupply. (PACFLEET, Mar 24) The USS Fitzgerald returned to Yokosuka on Monday (Mar 28). (PACOM, Mar 28)

On Sunday (Mar 27), the USS Essex Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG), including USS Germantown, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Tortuga conducted an amphibious resupply of Oshima Island, which was left largely without basic utilities of any form after the disaster. The Essex launched two Landing Craft Units (LCUs), carrying a commercial electrical utility vehicle, a water supply vehicle, a fuel truck, three electrical generator vehicles, a 23-person work crew to do utility repairs and 15,000 lbs of relief supplies. The same day, Rear Adm Hiroyuki Kasui, commander of Japan’s Communications Control Center 1 arrived on the Essex to review HADR operations and thank US Navy Sailors for their assistance in Japan. (PACOM, Mar 28)

A P-3 Orion aircraft assisted the mission in Oshima by scanning for obstructions in the water and coordinating with the LCU’s during the transit from Kesennuma City to Oshima Island. It also captured images of more outlying islands and relayed the information to JSDF for review and support of those locations as needed. (PACOM, Mar 28)

Also aboard the Essex, the Flying Tigers of HMM-262 helicopter squadron moved one ton of relief supplies from the Essex to JS Hyuga for further distribution by JMSDF personnel.

USS Blue Ridge, flagship for the US Seventh Fleet, is on station in the Philippine Sea providing coordination for US Navy efforts. (PACOM, Mar 28) The ship is serving as the floating headquarters for 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk and his staff of about 300, who are filling the role of Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, under the JSF. (PACOM, Mar 27)

The efforts of the USNS Safeguard with embarked divers of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 and Underwater Constriction Team 2, working with Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and commercial divers over the past three days to open the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) pier and additional areas of the harbor for operations paid off when a LNG tanker docked at Hachinohe port to deliver urgent fuel. Navy teams are working with the JSDF and local authorities to coordinate similar operations in the ports of Miyako, Kamaishi and Ofunato. USNS Safeguard is transiting to Miyako on Tuesday (Mar 29). (PACOM, Mar 28)

Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) started transferring fresh water to two empty fuel barges on Friday (Mar 25). Two barges, containing 500,000 gallons of fresh water, are on the way to the port of Onahana via transport to assist with the cooling of troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The first barge arrived on Sunday (Mar 27), escorted by the JMSDF ship, JS Hiuchi, and the second barge will arrive Monday afternoon, escorted by the JS Amakusa. The water will be used in replacement of salt water in the cooling operations to lessen the corrosive impact of salt. (PACOM, Mar 28)

The USS Preble conducted replenishment at-sea on Sunday (Mar 27) with the USNS Pecos to onload additionaly fuel and ship stores that have been depleted. The USNS Rappahannock picked up 312 pallets of water from the port of Gwangyang, South Korea, which will be moved to Sasebo for release to Fleet Industrial Supply Center – Sasebo Detachment who will support continuing HADR efforts. (PACOM, Mar 28)

Aircrews are reporting that remaining groups of displaced or isolated persons are being served by JGSDF personnel, who are now able to reach them over land. (PACOM, Mar 28)

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. III MEF is responsible for coordinating Marine Corps relief efforts with USFJ. Personnel with III MEF traveled from Yokota Air Base on March 14 to Sendai to develop and coordinate a humanitarian assistance center for Operation Tomodachi. (PACOM, Mar 18) 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 Yokota Air Base with USFJ. Marines have connected with the Northeast Army of the Japan GSDF.

Supporting GoJ-led HA/DR efforts, more than 1,000 III MEF and Marine Corps Bases Japan Marines and sailors are deployed on mainland Japan. As of Thursday (Mar 24), III MEF has completed more than 450 helicopter missions, providing assistance in survivor recovery, personnel transport and relief supply distribution. In total, over 129,000 pounds of water, 4,100 pounds of food, have been distributed. (MCBJ, Mar 25) On Monday (Mar 28), PACOM reports snow and icing conditions had cancelled all HADR flights. (PACOM, Mar 28) PACOM reports logistical assets from 3rd Marine Division being redirected from Balikatan 2011 Exercise to Operation Tomodachi. (PACOM, Mar 26)

US Army

There are 458 US Army Japan personnel supporting Operation Tomodachi, as well as 1,000 national labor contractors. (USARJ, Mar 22) The USARJ Disaster Assessment Team (DAT) remains integrated with the JTF (FWD) complimenting their operations. USARJ deployed 2 Foreign Area Officers and one Operations NCO to join USFJ forward in Sendai. The foreign area officers speak Japanese and will be able to provide invaluable assistance to the JTF in coordinating relief efforts. (PACOM, Mar 19) US Army Japan Logistic Task Force 35 arrived at Sendai Airport, with a first priority to work in establishing communications, setting up work areas and preparing for the arrival of additional logistics personnel and heavy equipment in the coming days. The forward distribution base will increase the flow of humanitarian aid supplies to outlying areas. (USARJ, Mar 22) A second LTF 35 group arrived at Sendai Airport. For the last three days, LTF 35, USARJ, has assisted US Marine units in clearing debris from the runway and taxiways at Sendai Airport. They have cleared 1,880 vehicles to date. LTF 35 is conducting bilateral and joint convoys to deliver kerosene to IDP camps and are continuing to clear debris at Sendai Airport. (PACOM, Mar 25) Meanwhile, USARPAC’s 71st Chemical Company is at Yokota AB and Misawa AB with 41 personnel. Their role will be to establish decontamination sites at both Air Bases. (PACOM, Mar 28)

US Air Force

The Air Force is supporting Operation Tomodachi with airlift, Search and Rescue (SAR) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR). The number of Air Force personnel deployed in support of relief operations is 732, while the number of Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) aircraft deployed in support of relief operations is 25. PACAF has generated317 sorties, transporting 1,154 passengers and over 2,602 short tons of cargo in support of Japan relief efforts. (PACOM, Mar 28) 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. (PACOM, Mar 18, 21)

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. In response to an official request from the GoJ, USAID/OFDA sent 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits Friday (Mar 18) to Japan for use in recovery clean-up.

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 in Japan. The teams, consisting of 72 personnel and six rescue dogs each, arrived on March 13 at Misawa Airport and travelled to Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture to engage in SAR activities under the direction of the Tokyo Fire Department. (USAID, GoJ, Mar 11-13) The US USAR teams worked with the UK and China USAR teams to establish a sub-OSOCC at their base of operations in Ofunato, facilitating coordination with the OSOCC to ensure a systematic international USAR effort. (USAID, Mar 15) USAR teams completed search assignments, but were unable to find any live victims. The US USAR team concluded their last search and rescue assignment on Thursday (Mar 17). All sub-OSOCCs are closed down and teams are advised to remain in close connection with OSOCC and VOSOCC. (UNDAC, Mar 21) According to officials from the Osaka Fire Department, coordinator of international USAR efforts on behalf of the GoJ in Ofunato and Kamaishi cities, no further assignments are forthcoming from the GoJ. US teams have transferred nearly US$145,000 in equipment, including zodiac boat kits, kerosene heaters, cots and sleeping bags, to the Ofunato fire department to assist with local efforts. (USAID, Mar 18) DART assessments report that the GoJ continues to meet the immediate needs of individuals in affected areas, having sufficient relief items available locally and higher quantities of relief supplies flowing into affected areas as roads are repaired. Additionally, DART staff said that local level coordination appeared strong and has continued improving across the GoJ as telecommunications repairs are completed. (USAID, Mar 24)

The DART has 22 members, including representatives from USAID, the US NRC and the US DoE. (USAID, Mar 21)

USACE To assist the US Army Japan disaster assessment team with debris-removal efforts, the US 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 March 12. (OCHA, Mar 13) 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)

A nine-member expert planning team from US Northern Command 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) US NORTHCOM is leading the voluntary return of DoD personnel and family members from Japan to the US, called “Operation Pacific Passage.” Main arrival locations are Travis Air Force Base, California, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Devner International Airport, Colorado. (NORTHCOM, Mar 22)

US PACOM commander, Admiral Robert Willard, said Thursday (Mar 17) that the US military may deploy a 450 member unit trained in radiation management to help the country deal with the growing nuclear crisis. (Japan Times, Mar 19) Admiral Willard has directed that precautionary measures be taken due to the potential of future radiological exposures, including directing the distribution of potassium iodide (KI) tablets to military personnel and their families in Yokosuka and Atsugi. Seventh Fleet personnel conducting disaster relief inside of 100 nautical miles from Fukushima’s Daiichi plant continue to take KI as a precautionary measure. Personnel in Yokosuka and Atsugi have been advised not to take KI unless told to do so by authorities. (PACOM, Mar 21)

On March 15, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said his department 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) The US Department of Energy team started aerial surveillance missions to measure air contamination between Tokyo and Fukushima on Thursday (Mar 17). (USAID, Mar 17)

The US Environmental Protection Agency is detecting possible radiation in southern California, but because levels are so low, analysis will not be available for several days. (USARJ, Mar 22)

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is enhancing monitoring of food for radiation and is working with the GoJ. (WHO, Mar 22) The FDA reported that all milk, milk products, vegetables and fruits produced or manufactured from Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma prefectures will be detained upon entry into the US. The products will not be allowed to enter the US food supply until shown to be free from radionuclide contamination. (US FDA, Mar 25)

Venezuela: The Venezuelan Government transported 167 packages of blankets, an estimated 2.8 tons of mineral water and 10 tons of canned sardines and tuna to Japan, which will be sent to disaster-stricken areas. (GoJ, Mar 24)

Vietnam: Vietnam will provide US$200,000 in aid. The Vietnamese Red Cross will give an initial US$50,000 through the JRC, state-run news website VnExpress reported. (Reuters, Mar 14) Japan is also working with Vietnamese agencies in Japan to protect Vietnamese residents. (GoV, Mar 15)

Non-Governmental Organizations/ International Organizations)

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia: Coordinating efforts with local government authorities, ADRA has been instructed to support an evacuation center in Wakabayashi ward, located in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture. They dispatched essential food and non-food items, such as miso, blankets and fuel, which was received in Sendai on Thursday (Mar 18). Donations to ADRA Australia’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Fund will be used to support disaster response, recovery and reconstruction efforts in affected areas. (ADRA, Mar 21)

American Red Cross (ARC): The ARC is accepting donations of US$10 through text messages of “redcross” sent to 90999. On Tuesday (Mar 15), the ARC announced an initial contribution of US$10 million to the JRCS to assist in its continuous efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance. The ARC also sent a disaster management expert to Japan last week for a short mission to provide support and advice to the JRCS. (ARC, Mar 20)

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 participated in the first inter-agency organizational meeting led by the Japanese MOFA and included representatives of the Japanese Cabinet, UN agencies and Japanese NGOs. They were able to work in sessions focusing on health, non-food items and coordination. According to their emergency response manager, their goal is to concentrate on immediate health needs of the affected population, particularly of those families living in shelters. (AmeriCares, Mar 18, 20) They are also working with their donor companies in Japan and will meet with doctors in Miyagi prefecture hospitals to assess and fill acute shortages of medicines, mainly for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and asthma. (AmeriCares, Mar 23) AmeriCares reported they will deliver 20 tons of hygiene products for thousands of victims still living in evacuation centers. Two 10-ton truckloads of relief items include 5,000 bottles of shampoo donated by Procter & Gamble, antibacterial soap, toothpaste, diapers and other personal care items. The NGO is coordinating the aid shipment with a Japanese non-profit organization and is expected to arrive in Sendai on Sunday (Mar 27). (AmeriCares, Mar 25)

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)

Canadian Red Cross (CRC): The Canadian Red Cross is transferring US$5 million in cash to the Japanese Red Cross to support relief efforts. The money will be used to support emergency health and the distribution of relief items. CRC said they will send additional financial support as the needs of people affected are revealed. (CRC, Mar 21)

CARE: CARE USA has raised enough funds to support initial emergency response in Japan. (CARE, Mar-18)

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC): 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)

Church World Service (CWS): CWS’ response centers on emergency relief support at least 5,000 families, about 25,000 individuals, currently living at 100 evacuation sites in Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Ibaragi and Tochigi prefectures. CWS is working with various Japanese organizations, such as Japan Platform, Civic Force, Oxfam Japan and Peace Boat. CWS’ supported assistance will continue through September. (CWS, Mar28)

Convoy of Hope (COH): 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) A COH disaster response team is on its way to Tokyo, where they will continue the work of an initial team of responders. The team’s main goals are to work through port logistics, ensure current channels are in working order and CoH’s footprint in Japan is expanded. (COH, Mar 24)

Direct Relief International: In conjunction with the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Direct International made an initial cash transfer of US$400,000 Monday (Mar 21), from its jointly established Japan Relief and Recovery Fund to Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan). The cash contribution will replenish funds that AAR Japan has already expended on extensive emergency-relief operations and will enable the organization to continue and expand its emergency activities, which focus on persons with disabilities and elderly persons affected by the disaster. DR has also offered medical and personal care inventories available for immediate transport upon approval by the GoJ. (DR, Mar 22)

Google: Google offered up YouTube on Friday (Mar 18) to help victims from the quake and tsunami find missing loved ones. YouTube began posting videos of victims of the disaster appealing for information about friends and family. The videos were taken in shelters around Japan and are posted at youtube.com/shousoku. The “YouTube Missing Person Finder” is a video version of a “Person Finder” Web tool launched by Google in the immediate aftermath of the quake to find missing persons. The “Person Finder” was tracking nearly 330,000 records as of Friday. Google is posting lists of residents of shelters on photo-sharing site Picasa, and has set up a multi-lingual Crisis Response Page with links to the “Person Finder” and other resources. (AFP, 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, 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. (OCHA, Mar 14-15) A deployed IFRC High Level Support/Liaison Team supporting the JRCS travelled to Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures last week. Comprised of seven national societies and IFRC, the team visited the affected areas with senior JRCS representatives to assess the needs and prepare recommendations of possible further actions. An overall support plan for the next three months in communications, logistics, reporting and partner relations are taking shape and will be agreed with JRCS in the coming week (IFRC, Mar 28) The IFRC reports the lack of fuel as a major problem that is hindering their ability to assess the situation. Emergency personnel from the JRCS are frustrated that “they want to help, but there is no fuel to get them where help is needed most,” the IFRC reported. They say fuel is not the only obstacle, bad weather has grounded helicopters that were delivering supplies. However, despite these challenges, the IFRC says progress is being made, and that evacuees are now receiving three meals a day. Electricity is being restored and the government has begun constructing over 33,000 temporary shelters. One thing that remains in short supply according to IFRC, is optimism about the future. (IFRC, Mar 24)

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. The IMC went to coastal communities, north of Sendai to assess post- disaster conditions and determine needs. Following assessment in affected areas close to Sendai, IMC identified the need for medical care, food, water, essential medications and non- food items supplies in evacuation centers. Psychosocial support is also needed. (IMC, OCHA, Mar 18-19) IMC has four medical teams on standby, prepared to airlift more supplies as needed. Also, IMC is providing logistical IMC reported Tuesday (Mar 22), the completion of another assessment of coastal cities north of Sendai, and report that health care for the vulnerable and the elderly in evacuation centers, those who have stayed in their homes in affected areas and mental health care remain the biggest priority. (OCHA, Mar 22) IMC’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) met with the coordinator in charge of the regional health response for the Japanese Tsunami Disaster at the Prefectural Office in the Division of HealthCare and Administration and Guidance on Tuesday (Mar 22).

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) The IOM has launched a program in Japan to assist foreigners severely impacted by the disaster leave the country. It is the first time the IOM has operated such a program, and reports already helping over 100 foreigners depart Japan since the disaster. Its Liaison Mission in Tokyo estimates several thousands of people in hard- hit areas potentially needing their support. IOM reports that they will help those who it judges from a humanitarian viewpoint, are in dire need of its support, such as widows and minors who have lost their guardians, and will cover the costs of transportation to their home countries. IOM’s assistance is targeted at assisting foreigners who resided in Aomori, Iwate, Yamagata, Miyagi, Fukushima, Tochigi, Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures. (Kyodo, Mar 25)

International Rescue Committee (IRC): IRC said it is starting to direct assistance to Japanese aid groups with better access to affected communities. (IRC, Mar. 15) The IRC is directing 100 percent of received donations to support three established Japanese aid organizations. Last week, the IRC started supporting Peace Winds Japan, which has chartered helicopters delivering fuel, blankets, food and other emergency items to evacuation centers. They are designating funds to the Association for Aid and Relief Japan, which is focusing efforts on people with disabilities, institutions for the elderly and others who have difficulty reaching humanitarian aid. IRC will also contribute to aid operations of JEN Japan, which is preparing hot meals at evacuation centers, and distributing diapers, infant supplies, blankets and sanitary items. (IRC, Mar 24)

Islamic Relief (IR) partnered with Japanese NGO JEN (Japan Emergency NGOs), is working to get vital aid and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people. JEN has distributed cooked food, hygiene kits, food staples and water tanks to 12,000 people at an evacuation center at Takasago School. They are identifying needs of evacuees in the districts of Aoba, Wakabayashi and Miyagino in Miyagi. (IR, Mar 24)

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL): Along with DR, JACL made an initial cash transfer of US$400,000 from its jointly established Japan Relief and Recovery Fund to AAR Japan. Meanwhile, JACL’s Tokyo Office, in cooperation with Professor Keiko Tanaka from Meiji Gakuin University, are serving to advise, identify and liaise with Japanese NGOs conducting response activities. The JACL National Executive Director is travelling to Japan this week to conduct assessments and meet with Japanese counterpart organizations. (DR, Mar 22)

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 that was badly damaged. A psychotherapist is providing psychosocial care for children, but more assistance is needed. (MI, Mar 17) Around the globe, people have been helping MI assist its project partner in Japan. Fundraising events have been organized by national associations of the Order of Malta in France, Italy, Singapore, Austria, Germany and the US to collect donations from its members. Austria put on a benefit concert at Steyregg castle, while in Germany, a Dresden hotel will cancel its 15th anniversary celebration and donate the party fund of US$14,000 (10,000 Euros), to the children’s home in Ichinoseki. (MI, Mar 25)

MapAction team provided the mapping and information support for the UNDAC team to help the GoJ in coordinating international assistance. (MapAction, Mar 15) MapAction has developed a detailed map displaying the numbers of dead, missing injured and evacuated in each affected province. (Reuters, Mar 18) MapAction led a workshop for JPF members, covering field assessments, data sources, information management and mapping tools. All MapAction data, including 3W data and mapping products were given to JPF in the anticipation they will be able to maintain and disseminate the products in the near future. (OCHA, Mar 23)

Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) has 50 staff in Japan, with 12 in the field operating mobile clinics and assessments in Miyagi Prefecture. MSF identified the major problem of elderly people with chronic diseases having their treatment interrupted after losing their homes. An MSF doctor estimated some 200,000 elderly survivors in need of medication for diabetes or hypertension. MSF staff is helping to locate them before their conditions become acute. (Reuters, Mar 18)

Mercy Corps is working with PWJ and are delivering large emergency shelters (balloon shelters), tents, blankets, instant rice and fresh produce to families evacuated from homes in Kesennuma City in Miyagi. Reuters reports heavy winds hampering the establishment of the balloon shelters. (Reuters, Mar 18) 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 on March 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, Mar 13, 18) MERCY Malaysia deployed a second team Thursday to support the relief efforts of its local partner, AMDA, in Iwate Prefecture. (MERCY, Mar 25)

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) OBI’s disaster relief team delivered four tons of emergency supplies, including rice, water, food and clothing, to shelters and the general hospital in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture on Thursday (Mar 24). OBI reports the Japanese military helping to unload boxes of relief supplies from its truck at one location. OBI says they will return to the city of Shiogama tomorrow to distribute supplies, specifically requested by the city mayor. (OBI, Mar 24)

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)

Plan International: Plan will focus its aid on providing child care and protection programs through Japanese partner NGOs and local authorities in the northeast of Sendai region. Immediate aid being provided includes clothing, heating equipment, water and sanitation, food, healthcare, supporting community kitchens and providing child-friendly spaces. The first stage of Plan’s response is set to last three months with a 15 month recovery program, which will focus on ‘emotional first-aid’ for children. Plan in Japan has launched an in-country appeal and as of Friday (Mar 18), has raised US$140,000 from existing supporters. (Reuters, Plan, Mar 18)

Red Cross Society of China (RCSC): The RCSC decided to donate US$152,087 (1 million Yuan) on March 12 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)

Rotary International: The Rotary Foundation established the Rotary Japan Disaster recovery Fund which will support long-term recovery projects in the affected areas and more than US$500,000 has been donated since the fund opened on March 11. Clubs in Cambodia and Thailand and Japan are using some US$65,650 to help provide food and water for 15,000 people at an evacuation center in Ibaraki. (Rotary International, March 28)

Save the Children (SC): SC 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. (SC, Mar 13-14) SC opened its first Child Friendly Space, a protective environment that helps relieve the trauma faced by children, and plan to establish more of them over the coming days. SC’s relief operation is being run from Tokyo. (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. On 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) SC has launched a US$1.62 million (1 million Pounds) appeal to help children affected by the disaster. (Reuters, Mar 18)

ShelterBox: British Charity, ShelterBox has provided tents to a village of Odachi, in Iwate prefecture. (BBC, Mar 24)

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. 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) Eighteen volunteer members of the Tzu Chi Foundation travelled for the port town of Oarai, Ibaraki Prefecture on a mission to provide hot meals of cooked noodles and tofu. (Asahi, Mar 22)

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): 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) WB said that rebuilding will cost US$232 billion and that it will take Japan at least five years to reconstruct its affected regions. (OCHA, Mar 21)

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. 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).

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