Japan: Needs Continue to Unfold
16th March, 2011
Wahroonga, New South Wales — As the true magnitude of Friday's earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan is realised, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is on the ground, providing aid and working with local authorities to plan what is set to be a historic relief and rebuilding program.
ADRA staff have rushed to hardest hit Sendai to conduct assessments and initiate a plan of action in conjunction with Japan National Disaster Office, National Civic Force officers and other government and aid agencies. In addition, ADRA Japan has been providing miso, a traditional Japanese soup, to hundreds of evacuees in Sendai City. For those staying in the centre it was the first hot meal they have had since the earthquake four days ago.
ADRA Australia, aloing with ADRA International and offices throughout the global ADRA Network, has pledged their support to this disaster response.
"It is a difficult and complex task to gauge, and priorities, the needs of those affected during disasters of this magnitude," said Chris Olafson, ADRA Australia's Emergency Management Director. "The ADRA staff were able to provide food and shelter in Tokyo immediately following the quake," he said. And now, they are working tirelessly to ensure needs are met in the months to come."
High magnitude aftershocks continue to hamper relief efforts in north-east Japan following the 9.0 magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami on March 11. The Japanese government has confirmed more than 1,500 have died and more than 10,000 remain missing. Evacuation centres and emergency supplies of water and food continue to be stretched by the large number of evacuees - close to 400,000 from northern Japan have been forced from, or lost, their homes.
In the past 12 months ADRA Australia has responded to numerous international disasters including the Christchurch and Haitian earthquakes and Pakistan floods, aloing with national emergencies including the Queensland flood and cyclone disasters and the Western Australian bushfires.
When disasters strike, ADRA Australia works in collaboration with ADRA offices around the world, Australian humanitarian agencies and with AusAID, the Australian Government's aid program, to ensure the best possible, coordinated support is provided to the communities affected.
ADRA Australia is a Christian, humanitarian organisation which implements a wide range of development and emergency response programs at home and overseas. ADRA Australia works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering relationships and repsonsible action.
 | Japan: Needs Continue to Unfold (140 kb) |
Media Enquiries:
Braden Blyde
p 02 9489 5488
m 0407 172 305
e news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
