Post-quake Japan gripped by fear as blasts rock nuke sites: UNITED SIKHS Aid reaches Japan

Highlights:

• State of Emergency declared in Japan due to the threat posed by reactors in two nuclear power plants, thousands of people evacuated in response.


• Japanese National media says 215,000 people are seeking shelter in emergency centres across the country but it is reported that there are not enough blankets, food and water.


• UNITED SIKHS coordinates relief efforts. Only cash donations are accepted currently per directives. These donations will be used to procure relief supplies locally.

CHIBA, JAPAN: On March 11 Japan was hit by the largest earthquake in the country's history. The 9.0 magnitude quake triggered a massive tsunami along the northeastern coast — sweeping away entire villages with walls of water more than 30 feet high. UNITED SIKHS volunteers Gursharnjeet Kaur and Naoki Nakajima, residents of Matsudo are assessing urgent needs and in the process of distributing emergency relief supplies.  

 The United Nations humanitarian affairs office estimated that 380,000 people were evacuated from tsunami and earthquake damage. Another 210,000 who live within 12 miles of the Fukushima nuclear power complex were evacuated to avoid potential radiation exposure. About 3,000 people were rescued and more than 10,000 were missing, the U.N. said.

The Health Ministry of Japan has said, "Please help us respond quickly to this disaster.  Nearly 2,500 people have been confirmed dead so far from the powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on Friday.  More than 17,000 others are missing.  Please join us in praying for the children and families impacted by this devastating natural disaster in Japan. 

Gursharanjeet Kaur, said, "Continued aftershocks and tsunami are hampering rescue efforts. Up to three meters high waves continue to hit the coastline. There have been numerous aftershocks in the region since the first powerful earthquake. The level of destruction is still not clear and is likely to be some days before a clearer picture emerges as to the extent of damage. The most affected areas are near the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture which has a population of one million and is 300 km northeast of Tokyo. There is no water, no power and we appeal to the global community to help the people of Japan in these dire circumstances "

"People in Japan are grappling with the after effects of the earthquake and tsunami, and now the added threat of nuclear exposure," says Kuldip Singh, President, UNITED SIKHS, USA. "UNITED SIKHS is coordinating relief efforts to assist those whose lives have changed forever by these disasters, and we urge people to generously support these efforts."

The immediate needs are the following -

• Emergency disaster shelters (Balloon Shelters and Emergency Tents)
• Blankets
• Blue tarpaulins
• Pregelatinized rice
• Bread
• Water
• Household goods such as: Toothbrushes, tissue paper, baby products, milk powder

How you can help:

UNITED SIKHS is now collecting monetary donations to purchase supplies locally. For more information on how you can assist please reach out to the UNITED SIKHS office closest to you at https://unitedsikhs.org/contact-us/.  To donate please click: https://unitedsikhs.org/donate/

Issued by:
Kanwal jit Kaur
Program Coordinator
kanwaljit.kaur@unitedsikhs.org
contact@unitedsikhs.org
1-888-243-1690 / 1-646-688-3525