SEAPCP RELIEF EFFORTS JAPAN

YELLOW UMBRELLAS TO THE RESCUE!

SEAPCP SUPPORTS JAPAN EARTHQUAKE-TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS



In may 2011, almost 2 months after the tragic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis hit Sendai and Fukushima City of Japan, SEAPCP contributed its support to the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Although in a small way but it was a meaningful contribution. SEAPCP network member in Japan, "SEAPCP HOKKAIDO" worked closely with SEAPCP Asia to buy 90 yellow umbrellas which was sent to Tsukitate elementary school (image below) in the disaster affected area of Kesennuma City in Miyagi Prefecture, Northeast Japan. The City located about 300 miles northeast of Tokyo was one of the worst hit areas in the recent Japanese disaster. (see map below).




Our Hokkaido partners were wondering what small ways they could help the relief efforts and were informed by the local contacts there that the school children needed umbrellas for going to school and returning home whenever it rained. SEAPCP Hokkaido (based in Yullfuru Magazine office, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido) immediately bought the umbrellas, packed them in Hokkaido and sent them to the school children on may 24th 2011. In April and May, SEAPCP Hokkaido working together with the Asian Regional SEAPCP collected messages from almost 20 of its partner organisations in 12 countries. These were published in a local newspaper in Hokkaido and also yull furu's latest edition (Volume 28, 2011, see scanned pages below in Japanese language).



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Another interesting effort by SEAPCP Hokkaido and Asia was the production of a set of 20 over drawings with messages of hope by 7-12 year old children from the communities struck by the 2006 earthquake in Jogjakarta Indonesia. (see samples below). These were sent to different parts of the affected areas in Japan and they are being prepared for display and also for publishing in local newspapers and other print media. We are hoping for the local authorities to mount these into a mini exhibition in schools and even the evacuation centers to inspire the affected people.







We hope that this small effort of SEAPCP HOKKAIDO and SEAPCP Asian Network will inspire others to also do likewise, because we believe small steps like these go a long way. GAMBATE JAPAN! (MORE POWER JAPAN!).

Story by Jo Hann Tan, SEAPCP REGIONAL DIRECTOR