It has been a year after the Japan
tsunami which happened on March 11,
2011 if you do not already know.
In view of this, World Vision (WV) invited Malaysia Asia to experience their ongoing efforts in the affected areas of the Tohoku region.
Before getting to the first WV project area, we arrived at Ichinoseki which is a lovely town with a touch of old-fashioned charm.
In view of this, World Vision (WV) invited Malaysia Asia to experience their ongoing efforts in the affected areas of the Tohoku region.
Before getting to the first WV project area, we arrived at Ichinoseki which is a lovely town with a touch of old-fashioned charm.
One Year Anniversary East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in the Tohoku region - Part One
Below are some pictures are taken from the bus, hotel room and on the streets of this beautiful little town.
Ichinoseki town in Japan
Heavy snowfall the night before
Streets of Ichinoseki with snow
As we were getting nearer to the WV support area, the aftermath
of the tsunami was more evident. I have seen many pictures of the tsunami-affected
areas, so I was surprised that seeing it in real life was an entirely different
experience.
Seeing piles of debris of cars, structures, the skeletal remains of buildings and empty lots of land for as far as the eye can see. Thoughts of what really matters ran through my mind.
Well, that would be another story another time. I would like to share these photos for now.
Seeing piles of debris of cars, structures, the skeletal remains of buildings and empty lots of land for as far as the eye can see. Thoughts of what really matters ran through my mind.
Well, that would be another story another time. I would like to share these photos for now.
Remains of a building after the tsunami in Kesennuma
Tsunami-damaged buildings and homes
Building destroyed in the Japan Tsunami
Tsunami flattened grounds in Kesennuma
A factory damaged by the Japan Tsunami
Vast flattened grounds in Kesennuma after the Japan Tsunami
National Director of WVJ posing with a destroyed vehicle on
an empty lot
After lunch on the bus, our first stop was at Kesennuma
Fishery Cooperative (KFC), a WV livelihood recovery project.
The fishing industry is responsible for 70% of the economy in the Kesennuma area. When the earthquake and tsunami struck, the lifeblood of the fishing industry faltered even further. Needless to say, families and children are badly affected.
This prompted World Vision Japan (WVJ) to initiate the livelihood project to help revive the fishing industry.
The fishing industry is responsible for 70% of the economy in the Kesennuma area. When the earthquake and tsunami struck, the lifeblood of the fishing industry faltered even further. Needless to say, families and children are badly affected.
This prompted World Vision Japan (WVJ) to initiate the livelihood project to help revive the fishing industry.
Overview of the Kesennuma Livelihood Recovery Project by
Team Leader, Ryoichiro Mochizuki
The first support given by WVJ was to restore the freezer
warehouse where fish dealers store the marine products.
By mid-March, which is in a few day’s time, all the three freezers will be in full operation. A total of 3000 tons is the capacity of the three freezers and this will benefit 26,000 people, directly and indirectly, in terms of rebuilding life after the tsunami.
In addition, WV has helped with the production of 40,000 stickers for a re-branding campaign. Dealers and distributors use these stickers when shipping their products to other parts of Japan.
By mid-March, which is in a few day’s time, all the three freezers will be in full operation. A total of 3000 tons is the capacity of the three freezers and this will benefit 26,000 people, directly and indirectly, in terms of rebuilding life after the tsunami.
In addition, WV has helped with the production of 40,000 stickers for a re-branding campaign. Dealers and distributors use these stickers when shipping their products to other parts of Japan.
Inside the warehouse freezer where marine produce are stored
The Directors of WV Japan
and WV Hong Kong trying to muster a smile in -60C degrees!
The team braving the cold in the warehouse freezer!
Some of the equipment provided by WVJ for the Kesennuma
Fishery Cooperatives is to complement the freezer warehouse and fish processing
space. These items were forklifts and other machinery for moving goods around.
Equipment from World Vision
The future plans for Kesennuma include establishing a team by
both WVJ and KFC to improve the marketing and elevate the brand image of
swordfish, as well as to expand the market to urban areas.
Later on the bus, I asked Ryoichiro Mochizuki, Team Leader
of the Livelihood Recovery Project, what kind of government support has been
given to this area.
He explained, “WVJ will step in or help where the government cannot. The government builds temporary shelters.”
He explained, “WVJ will step in or help where the government cannot. The government builds temporary shelters.”
After Kesennuma, we proceeded to a WV Disaster Risk
Reduction Project at Tsuya Primary
School.
A designated evacuation center after the tsunami, even though the school is lacking in electricity, access to information from TV or Radio and clean water. Hence, WVJ and the local municipality have collaborated to build wells in ten schools.
A designated evacuation center after the tsunami, even though the school is lacking in electricity, access to information from TV or Radio and clean water. Hence, WVJ and the local municipality have collaborated to build wells in ten schools.
In some schools the water quality is still not suitable for drinking and quantity is little, so there will be on-going efforts to improve the situation. Solar panels are also in the pipeline to prepare for a more viable environment during times of disaster.
Understanding how the water well works
Water flows from all the
ten wells, though little and the quality of drinking water needs to be
supervised.
Is Mr. Nobuhiko looking for the koi fish under the frozen lake? On the side, the headmaster tells a joke to cheer us up in the cloudy and chilly weather.
Protective hats provided by WVJ. Don’t they look dashing?
A guide for the schoolchildren during emergency time
Words of hope and thoughts of love and encouragement coming from all over Japan
After our field trip, we had a chance after dinner to chat
with Mitsuko Sobata, Communication Officer for WVJ, about her experience during
and after the incident of the tsunami and earthquake.
Here is what inspired her the most, “…no one panicked and the
resilience of the people.” Despite this, she added, “The people are worried that other
countries will forget about what happened. It will take many years to fully
reconstruct the community. Before phasing out, WVJ will ensure the local
community can survive in the long-term on their own.”
Deep in conversation outside Tsuya Primary School
Ryoichiro Mochizuki also had similar thoughts with regards to the people who are affected by the tsunami. He said, “The people do not ask too much. They try to be self-sufficient, I’m quite impressed.”
Conclusion
If you wish to help and let these people know that they are
not forgotten, please visit the official World Vision website.
Don't forget to read Part Two of this story about the One Year Anniversary observation of the East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami in the Tohoku region.
Don't forget to read Part Two of this story about the One Year Anniversary observation of the East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami in the Tohoku region.
That photo with damaged building is a current photo? Its still that way? At least we know that they are rising up again..
thanks 4 sharing this post with us
Yes Cath, one of the remains of what happened there. But they are moving on fast and with pride too. Thanks to all the support they have been getting from the world over.
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