2011 will be remembered for the devastating earthquake and tsunami which devastated the Tōhoku region of Japan. The magnitude 9.0 (Mw) earthquake was the fifth largest recorded since 1900 and is estimated to have jolted the island of Honshu east by 2.4 metres. The disaster claimed the lives of nearly 20,000 people and damaged or destroyed 125,000 buildings. More than 9 months on, the Daily Yomiuri reports that nearly 335,000 people are still living as evacuees. In the second of a series of articles looking back at the disaster and how alumni have responded in 2011, JETAA explores how UK alumni have contributed to the fundraising efforts of charitable organisations.
Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck the north-east coast of Honshu in March this year, JETAA was inundated with emails from UK alumni asking how they could help. UK JETAA members were keen to donate both money and time to support fundraising for relief efforts. Since the disaster, UK alumni have planned, supported and run a series of imaginative fundraising initiatives to support various charities, including The British Red Cross, Mercy Corps and the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. This article provides an overview of how these charities have responded to the disaster and how JETAA UK has supported them.
Japan Earthquake and Relief Fund
This relief fund was set up by the UK-based Japan Society and has raised more than £620,000 to date. The fund is working with the Sanaburi Foundation in Sendai to identify and support local activity throughout the region. The Fund believes that local Non for Profit Organisations are based placed to "identify need and to work with members of their communities to rebuild their lives, but may need support from outside the region to deliver these projects effectively."
JETAA UK encouraged alumni members to contribute directly to the fund through their 'Give a Day for Japan' which asked former JET participants to donate a day's pay. Further funds were raised through a pub quiz, a charity karaoke evening, the JETAA Annual Ball and a raffle (£1,780). JETAA Scotland's appeal contributed a further £515. Members from the JETAA London chapter also assisted in processing payments and helping to collect money in buckets.
Global Giving UK
The' Response to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Fund' provided by Global Giving disbursed funds to Mercy Corps who supplied shelter materials, water and other relief items to devastated areas in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. In the longer term they will channel money for post-trauma assistance to help affected families rebuild their lives. Mercy Corps has partnered with two local groups to establish the 'Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery.' You can learn more about it here. Over £285,000 has been raised for the Mercy Corps' relief effort in Japan so far.
This charity was supported by JETAA Wales (Cymru) who organised a sponsored family walk along the stunning Glamorganshire Heritage Coastline in south Wales in May. Former JET participants and the families of those currently participating on the programme walked the challenging 14km route taking in dramatic views from the rugged cliffs, exploring the Dunraven Fort Gardens and passing both the Nash Point lighthouse and St Donat's lifeboat station. Walkers from across south Wales came to support the event (pictured) and raised £745.
British Red Cross
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, the British Red Cross launched a 'Japan Tsunami Appeal' which raised an estimated £13.5 million. These funds were channelled directly to the Japanese Red Cross' Relief and Recovery Programme which enabled the deployment of 790 medical teams who treated over 75,000 patients. In the aftermath of the tsunami they distributed 132,000 blankets, 30,000 emergency relief kits and 13,000 relief kits. Since March, they have fitted out temporary housing for 90,000 families. You can learn more about their work here.
JETAA Northern Ireland supported the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal by supporting the Japan Society of Northern Ireland (JSNI) to hold a fundraising event at the Carrick Civic Centre in Carrickfergus and Tower Shopping Centre in Ballymena. The events showcased aspects of Japanese culture and involved making paper cranes to be handed out to members of the public. JSNI raised over £11,000 for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal.
Some members of JETAA Wales also attended two charity concerts held in Cardiff in aid of the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal.
Other Fundraising Initiatives
In addition to JETAA organised events, some former UK participants of the JET Programme have also organised their own events and fundraising initiatives which they have contacted us to help publicise. These include;
- The Crane Campaign set up by Kate Truscott and Sarah Hill, two ex-ALTs from Shizuoka-ken (1993-95). They sought to encourage school children to make origami cranes with messages inside for Japanese school children. Donations were directed towards The Japan Society Fund, Save the Children and Smile Kids Japan. The campaign was covered by ITV News in London.
- Fukushima Challenge. A 100 mile, 24 hour run and cycle ride in London, with the length of the route representing the exclusion zone set up around the Fukushima Plant. Maia, a former JET participant (Tochigi) cycled the route on a Boris bike, accompanied by her brother Bill on foot. They raised over £27,000 for the British Red Cross.
- JET Endurance. A charity founded in September by Ross Burgon, a UK-based Alumni who worked as an ALT in Toyama Prefecture. Ross will be running the Tokyo Marathon in February 2012 to raise money for JET Endurance. You can learn more here.
- Walk for Japan - The London Victoriathon The London Victoriathon was based on the annual Tokyo Yamathon Challenge in which participants visit all stations of the Japan Rail Yamanote line. On 16th April 2011, participants including ex-JETs walked across London visiting all 16 stations (19 miles) of the Victoria Line - the city's busiest Tube line - passing the Embassy of Japan on the way. They raised over £2000. You can read more about their walk here.
If you are a former JET participant who has undertaken fundraising or relief work following the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami we would like to hear from you. Or if you are planning an event, please let us know so we can support it. Please send us your accounts and any photographs which you are happy for us to publish to webeditor@jetaa.org.uk
