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).



page 1-2cover

page3-4

page 5-6

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

SOLIDARITY MESSAGES LINK SUMATRAN AND JAPAN TSUNAMI



Design by Shieko Malaysia

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

30th March 2011


“TOMAKOMAI MINPO”(Hokkaido newspaper) JAPAN

“GANBARE NIPPON!!” (Struggle On Japan!)

Messages from South East Asia

Solidarity linkages between Sumatra Earthquake and the support for the revival of JAPAN

Mr.Tomohiro Niinuma, President of IKKOSHA, a publishing company, (Yashiro-cho Tomakomai-city Hokkaido Japan) has received many support messages for the victims of the East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear crisis. Many of these messages came from the South East Asian people who have also faced similar disasters in their respective countries.

It all started when during the Sumatra Earthquake & Tsunami in Dec 2004 when IKKOSHA supported a campaign to give aid and solidarity to the victims in Dec 2004. Today these messages are directed to support Japan’s relief and rehabilitation especially condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and.

(Photo: Aceh tsunami in December 2004)

These solidarity messages are being collected and compiled by Mr. Tan Jo Hann, a Malaysian who founded the regional organization called SEAPCP or the South East Asia Popular Communications Programme. This group is a network of NGO’s in South East Asia countries advocating for human rights.

Mr Tan’s his wife Kayo Sunazawa is from Tomakomai-city in Hokkaido who is also active supporter of the campaign and also translates all documents and acts as the mediator. So far 25 messages have been received from NGO organizations and individuals from Indonesia, Thailand and many other neighboring countries.

IKKOSHA upon the request of Ms.Kayo and SEAPCP members had established “SEAPCP HOKKAIDO” ( represent Mr. Niinuma when the Sumatra Earthquake struck in 2004. SEAPCP HOKKAIDO then collected donations to support the victims of tat disaster.

Photo: SEAPCP (regional and Hokkaido team discussing the aceh campaign in 2005 in Tomakomai City Hokkaido

About 800,000yen (about USD7,200) was sent to support 7 medical teams from Malaysia to bring medicines and carry out treatments to the victims in Aceh, Sumatra. (At that time the yen value was about 5 times more in Indonesia value so the real value today would be about 4 million yen or USD36,300).

“Many people in Southeast Asia have a good image of Japan and they feel the pain when they heard about this disaster. Please continue to think about the Japanese people and continue to be active to support us” Mr. Niinuma said.

“We also saw pictures of calm, grace and determination of the Japanese people to overcome these challenges. I believe that you as a nation will be able to rebuild again.”

“We stand with you in solidarity!”

“We fight with you about nuclear issues!”

Beside these messages, there was also a drawing of a pair of hands rescuing an origami crane from the waters (designed by a Malaysian human rights artist).

Ms. Kayo said psychological trauma healing will also be needed to support the people.

Mr. Niinuma advises the victims who are still remaining in the disaster area to read the local news papers in Tohoku (disaster) area. They will then know that many people in the world are paying attention to the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in Japan now.

“Aceh people who have had experiences of big earthquakes and Tsunami have until today remained poor and still struggling. But they still sent their warm regards and heartfelt feelings to Japan who is similarly suffering right now. I really want to share this with the many victims in Japan.

(Photo: 1 year after the tsunami in aceh)

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI & NUCLEAR CRISIS - SOLIDARITY MESSAGES FROM SEAPCP & FRIENDS

Photo Credits: AP, The Yomiuri Shimbun


For Japanese language version of the support messages, please go to SEAPCP HOKKAIDO page hosted by the following website: http://www.you-full.com

SOUTH EAST ASIA POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMME
A letter to the Japanese people

We are very shocked and saddened by the recent earthquake and tsunami which has to date estimated to claim almost 21,000 lives in Honshu Island of Japan. Although you are a far from our countries in South east asia, our hearts are with you. No person or government can stand alone and also be prepared to face such a big and serious situation. So the “world community” has to respond and extend their hands of support across country boundaries.

The Japanese people are very brave and in this crisis you have shown to the rest of the world the discipline, the community spirit and true humanity you possess. We have seen how the evacuated people in the centers make human chains to carry water and help in distributing food and blankets to the elderly, sick and younger members. We also see the polis and members of the self defense force carry the old and young to safety on their backs. Rescue teams, aid workers and medical personnel are working almost 24 hours to feed, treat and house the half a million evacuated families.

We stand with you especially to strongly criticize the irresponsible actions and attitudes of the Nuclear plant operators Telco Japan for the unsafe nuclear plants conditions resulting in the nuclear crisi in Japan and the rest of the world. We reject the use of Nuclear in all countries on this earth because of its proven hazards on human lives.

Finally we pray that you will stand firm in strength and spirit to overcome this current situation and to build a new future in the days to come. We, your friends in other countries are ready to support in any way possible to rebuild your lives and community.

PUSAT KOMAS (HUMAN RIGHTS NGO) MALAYSIA
To the brave people of Japan,Our heart goes out to the people of Japan in this time of sadness and tragedy. We pray for you and hope you have more power to manage your lives and communities after such a disaster. Eventhough Malaysia is far away from Japan, we continue to extend our hand of support to you and to help in any way we can. We stand with you in this hard time!

Mr Sivutha, Community Organiser Cambodia
I feel sad to hear that many Japanese are dead and missing. We all have to learn what is happening in Japan. We all are together in this devastating natural disaster.

Ms Nareth, Environmental NGO staff member, Cambodia
Dear Japanese People, I am working in a Cambodian NGO empowering youth who are living in slum areas of Phnom Penh. Although I am not a Japanese but I am a citizen on this same planet. I am so sad that Japanese people are suffering greatly because of the earthquake and Tsunami. I express my condolence to the Japanese victims and to all the Japanese people. In Cambodia, even we are living in a poor situation there are people who still try very hard to share their condolence and their contributions to help the victims.

For example a motorcycle taxi driver donated US0.50 to the Japanese Embassy. (His daily income is about USD2.50) He said "Even I am poor, but I want to help Japanese, because Japanese have helped Cambodian a lot so far, especially. I do this, because I want to give a good example to my children that even if we are poor, we can still have a good heart to help each other in a difficult situation. It is a very important value, we are living in one earth, no one wants to get hurt by disaster, but we can't get a way from disaster, so we need to help each other. I do this in order to give my children a lesson that helping each other is a good VALUE".

I was listening to his speech and my tear was falling down and I feel proud of him. So my Japanese friends you are not alone! Remember, we are with you always, you are such a great people JAPANESE! You are full of compassion, respectful and have many good ways. Many people around the world know this about you. You have done a lot of good things for other people around the world now good angels and spirits will take care of you and give you a NEW HOPE! I am sending you "A wish of NEW HOPE"

Mr Demetrios, HABURAS (Environmental NGO in Timor Leste)
Dear friends I do feel that this natural power is so powerful and we do need to vigilance, this is the only earth that all of us share and need to protect! With solidarity and prayer to God, that we strongly hope that more Japanese lives will be saved. My solidarity with you all.

Mr Hassan, Cavish Foundation, Development NGO in Pakistan
We are happy to hear many people are rescued in Japan. It is really sad to know and see this all happen and many lives are still in danger. Our hearts go out to everyone in Japan.

Ms Zola, Human Rights NGO, Mongolia
It is devastating what's happening in Japan, the whole world is with Japan. Mongolia is definitely one of them. People here (NGOs, individuals, schools, the government and many other organisations) already set up/organising humanitarian aid for Japan. We all have to learn what is happening in Japan. We all are together in this devastating natural disaster.

Ms Tijah Chopil (Network of Malaysian Indigenous People “Orang Asli”) Malaysia
I feel very sad to see the photos of the tsunami and earthquake. I am really sad with all the happenings and I send my condolences to all Japanese people and wish them safety. Looks like the nature is definitely more powerful than human beings

Ms. Nani Zulminarni, PEKKA, Indonesia
I have been wondering since the beginning of hearing the news, and watching the TV all the time about the disaster. The same questions in my mind, how much we can raise and will it make an impact, taking into consideration the richness of Japanese government. I feel so sad, bad and guilty, because we cannot do so many things except praying for them. I sent official letters to the JSDF (Japan Social Development Funds) head quarters to express our sympathy and condolences. I think we can start fund raising, no matters how much we can collect.

Mr Nus Ukru, Baileo Maluku Indonesia
We hope that the support for the Japanese people will become smoother because we in Maluku feeling lost how we can help and support the people there. We will definitely continue to support the Japanese people in spirit and prayer from far away.

Mr James Lee, PERMAS NGO (Malaysian urban poor movement)
We want to express our deep and heartfelt feelings for the Japanese people who have suffered lost of lives and property during the Earthquake and Tsunami. We understand very well how it is to lose our homes and property because as urban poor communities, we have also experienced this. In these times of sorrow and sadness, we want to send our condolences to those in sorrow. We pray that God in His mercy will look favourably upon the Japanese people. In these moments, we join you in sorrow and pray for a quick recovery and that the international aid will be abundant to assist those affected to rebuild their lives. We wish you peace, more power and our deep prayers to strengthen you to overcome this difficult time and build the new future. We stand with you in solidarity!

Ms Carmela Millado-Manuel: SEAPCP member (FILIPINA living in POLAND)
My family and I would like to express our sincerest sympathies to those who have lost families, friends, and personal properties during these difficult times. Besides the images of devastation we also saw pictures of calm, grace and determination of the Japanese people to overcome these challenges. This is most admirable and you have showed the whole world that you as a nation will be able to rebuild again.

Japan has embraced thousands of Filipinos who have stayed and enjoyed your hospitality. We are grateful and this has strengthened our Asian solidarity. My husband, in his capacity as the Charges D'Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Poland has officially conveyed our government's sympathies to your Ambassador here. We continue to pray and wish that your people will heal from these unfortunate circumstances. May God bless you.

Mr Jeff Wong, “Four Regions Slum Network” (FRSN), Thailand
We are an organization that helped in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in southern Thailand in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004. FRSN understands the difficulties that the Japanese people are now experiencing. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences for your immeasurable loss and we also have great confidence in the unbreakable spirit of the Japanese people and we know that you will overcome this terrible tragedy and emerge stronger. FRSN is keeping the Japanese people in its thoughts and is right now trying to find a way to offer concrete support, especially to the poor affected by this disaster.

Mr Suarnatha, Wisnu Bali NGO, Bali, Indonesia
On 21 March, we, the “World Silent Day campaigners” sent a letter and thousands of origami birds to Japanese Consulate in Bali as an expression of solidarity with Japan. We have to GAMBARU! Meanwhile we will do fund raising in our areas.