Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: One Year Later
On the afternoon of March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific Coast of Japan. It was the most powerful earthquake in Japan’s recorded history, triggering a massive tsunami with waves up to 40 meters in height that engulfed entire towns.
The Pacific coast of Tōhoku region (northeastern Japan) and the area around the city of Sendai were the most affected. Over 20,000 people lost their lives and tens of thousands were displaced when their homes were destroyed. The earthquake also damaged nuclear reactors which leaked radio-activity for the months following, requiring 200,000 more people to evacuate.
In the wake of this crisis, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) supporters gave generously. By the end of December 2011, $1,161,888 had been raised for CRWRC’s response. Using these funds, CRWRC partnered with Christian Reformed Japan Mission — the Japan branch of Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), the Reformed Church of Japan (RCJ), Japan International Food for the Hungry (JIFH) and Christian Relief Assistance Support and Hope Japan (CRASH) to provide immediate food assistance, emergency supplies, and trauma counseling. In addition, CRWRC and CRWM have been sending volunteers from North America to work alongside Japanese volunteers in mucking out houses and repairing homes and churches.
On the following pages are a few highlights of what has happened through this ministry over the past year. CRWRC will continue its disaster response work in Japan for another two years, working in a close partnership with CRWM staff on the field. Please continue to support this ministry with your prayers as CRWRC helps the people of Japan to rebuild their lives and regain hope!