Part 2 of the One Year
Anniversary observation of the East Japan
Earthquake / Tsunami in the Tohoku region (Article by Lilian Chua)
It was a very chilly morning in Ichinoseki as we head out to
one of World Vision Japan’s
livelihood project in Minamisanriku in Miyagi prefecture. This coastal town was
one of the hardest hit by the magnitude 9 earthquake on March 11, 2011.
Once home to about 17,000 people, this town has been almost
entirely washed away by the tsunami.
The earthquake triggered a tsunami that traveled as far as
10 km inland reduced the town to splinters and debris
This coastal town, previously known for its stunning
beaches, also used to thrive on its fishing industry and marine cultivation,
more specifically seaweed or wakame cultivation.
The seaweed cultivation can be harvested within 12 months so
as part of the livelihood project, World Vision Japan (WVJ) decided to come up
with all the necessary support to help restore the trade. Essentially, WVJ
believe this project will improve the well being of many children, whose parents
are seaweed fishermen.
It is estimated that 95% of the approximate 100 boats used
for seaweed cultivation were destroyed by the tsunami. Last October, WVJ has
provided twelve boats for twelve different local ports in Shizugawa and Togura
districts in Minamisanriku.
The ‘wakame’ fishermen processing the seaweed which was planted in time, thanks to the support from WVJ.
About 80% of fishermen interviewed by WVJ have lost their
homes and their equipment that can cost from USD$20,000 to USD$30,000 a set.
Therefore, in addition to the boats, WVJ has also provided boiling machines and
compressors to process the seaweed. Besides providing many women with work
opportunities, processed seaweed can sell for a much higher price, up to 10
times more!
Wakame processing equipment by WVJ
Whilst part of the group went to see the harvesting of the
seaweed, some of us had the chance to chat with a local fisherman who escaped the
tsunami. Whilst feeding the salmons at sea, Mr Takao Sasaki saw the sinking of
anchored fishing facilities. Later he witnessed a whirlpool and saw
oyster-cultivation facilities drifting out to sea. Immediately he veered his
ship further out to sea to avoid the brewing tsunami.
It was when Mr Takao saw Japanese houses floating out to sea;
he knew he was very lucky to have escaped a very destructive tsunami. However,
upon docking his ship he was still shocked to see that almost everything has
been washed away, even the port lights.
Mr Takao Sasaki, a tsunami survivor, recounts his experience
of the destructive disaster.
When the boat came back with the wakame harvest, the
fishermen’s wives prepared some very tasty and warm seaweed soup and salad,
perfect for the biting cold weather!
Fresh seaweed salad ready to be eaten..yumm!
Seaweed soup is very nutritious!
There is still much to be done for the wakame industry at
Minamisanriku and WVJ has some future plans in store:
1) To provide different equipment and facilities to process
seaweed after cultivation
2) Install twelve tents where wakame cultivators can share
the equipment and work together, including women.
Wakame Fisherman
With our stomach full of wakame, we headed to Shizugawa
hill. We passed long stretches of flattened grounds and there were much silence
inside the bus (perhaps many were still feeling full from much wakame) almost
echoing the sentiments of zero activity of the area.
View from Shizugawa hill – these barren lands used to be a
flourishing, beautiful town bustling with activities
Some have compared the aftereffect of the tsunami to Hiroshima
and Nagasaki
Along the way, we passed more flattened grounds where the
WVJ building once stood
Coming up is Part 3, focusing on the tsunami-affected
children, how they are coping and the support from WVJ. If you want to know
more please visit the World Vision website.
Or you can also read Part One of the One Year Anniversary observation of the East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami and also about the diaries of volunteers and aid
workers, of their experiences during the early days of the tsunami:
Writer Lilian Chua was sent to the Miyagi prefecture by World Vision Malaysia to follow up on the One Year Anniversary observation of the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan.
2 comments :
Life looks bleak for those affected as homes and livelihood was completely changed.
Thomas, thanks and yes, they went through a tough time but it's not stopping them from moving on with their lives which is great.
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