As part of the foreign community with a long term commitment to Japan, Smooch is keen to contribute in any way to the earthquake and tsunami disaster relief efforts. We have therefore chosen to support a well respected NGO in Japan called Peace Boat. Given the huge devastation in the area, volunteers play an extremely important part in the relief efforts, especially in the long term support of the local community as residents try to rebuild their homes and lives. Peace Boat’s key strength is in mobilising volunteers and has played a key role on the ground to date.
On April 15th, Smooch CEO Marcus Yeung was fortunate to be able to accompany the Colombian Ambassador to Japan on a trip to the disaster area to get a first hand understanding of the scale of the disaster and to see the volunteer activities of Peace Boat and other NGOs.
Photos of the trip can be found at the following link:
http://www.yogile.com/peaceboat
The following comes from Marcus Yeung’s journal dated 15th April, 2011:
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* A month after the tsunami, the “emergency” period is almost over now. Most of the main roads have been cleared, gas is available, electricity is available in patches, mobile phones are working, people are getting their food and water.
* The weather has turned warmer, although still chilly at night.
* The availability of gas has meant that people are beginning to move – back home if they have one, or away from the affected areas
* There are some baths available now, so everyone can at least have a bath occasionally
* Nobody is starving as there is a lot of rice. But there is little meat, fish or fresh vegetables. As the weather gets warmer, food goes off quicker and fridges and freezers are required.
* The overall atmospehere was quiet and determined, people were trying to get on with their daily lives without complaints or panic.
* The devastation is on an enormous scale and the damage is so widespread that only the emergency work has been done so far. Upturned cars still litter the streets and collapsed buildings and debris are everywhere and remain untouched.
* The SDF are focusing on clearing the main infrastructure (heavy lifting), searching for bodies, and serving hot maels
* The Red Cross are running hospitals and have raised a lot of money which they will give to victims eventually
* Volunteers are mainly doing the cleaning work which the local residents can’t do by themselves (mud clearing, removing debris from houses etc). Peace Boat estimates that it will take 100 volunteers 4000 days to clear it all!
* The volunteer groups are not affected by red tape and are often able to act quicker than official authorities e.g. moving smashed cars away from the road etc.
* Volunteers are also involved in distributing food and goods. The total meals served in Ishinomaki now is 20,000 meals a day. The SDF is providing 8,000 at the moment and volunteer groups the remaining 12,000. The meals required are expected to fall to around 12,000 a day after people have moved out or gone home. The SDF will continue to provide 8,000 and the volunteer groups will provide the rest. As time goes on the volunteer meals are expected to decrease and PB will step in to provide a safety valve, to make sure enough is provided. PB plans to make use of vacant restaurant spaces and hire local staff to provide long term volunteer support.
* A volunteer base requires significant logistical support and infrastructure. Most volunteers are staying at a university campus grounds, but this will no longer be available when the university starts again. Camping ground and facilities, mobile toilets and washing facilities, and equipment to do their work is required. Plus ingredients for the food.
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If you would like to support, please contact Peace Boat directly:
http://www.peaceboat.org/english/index.php?page=view&nr=19&type=22&menu=62
