Tohoku Disaster Relief NGO Center

The Tohoku Disaster Relief NGO Center (The Center) was established at IVY Headquarters, together with several local NPOs, immediately following the earthquake on March 11^th, 2011.

 

Yamagata Prefecture, where IVY is located, is located directly west of Miyagi Prefecture, where about 16,000 people have been reported dead or missing, and about 40,000 people are living in emergency evacuation centers (as of April) . Using local human resources, and our proximity to the affected area, we have been delivering relief supplies and sending volunteers, who go to numerous evacuation shelters and hospitals in Miyagi every day, based on need. Delivery of supplies is planned to end at the end of May. The Center also provides and coordinates information for many of the NGOs doing relief work in the area. As of April, we have more than 40 partner organizations and corporations. We currently have a branch office in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture.

 

In April, the Center launched a new program called "Cash for Work". The program offers much-needed jobs and income to the tsunami victims, and allows them to take part in rehabilitation efforts. Before the tsunami, the towns along the coast in Miyagi were well known for their fishing industry, but the tsunami devastated all their ports, and took away most of the boats and tools they need to fish. Many lost their jobs and have no idea when they can earn a living again.

 

As of April 14^th, we had hired 12 people who had lost their jobs in Ishinomaki City, where more than 5,000 people are reported dead or missing and 10,000 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters (as of April). We started the same program in Kesennuma City on April 21^st. The hired workers clean the flooded houses by digging out the sludge covering the floors. They have been working on the houses of elderly people who are staying in evacuation shelters, but cannot clean their own houses. So far, the participants of the program are happy with their new jobs. One of the participants, a man in his 30's who lost his job in fish processing commented, "It is not easy work, but I feel better than I would if I had nothing to do. I have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day."