Japan: 5 months later

In addition to the 18,000 people that lost their lives, 450,000 people were made homeless by the earthquake and tsunami that swept through northern Japan in March this year. That's the equivalent of the whole of Edinburgh being forced to live in tents and make-shift accommodation.

Although no official international appeal was created, aid agencies were mobilised and donations poured in from the general public. Stewardship account holders gave upwards of £75,000 towards the relief efforts, with funds supporting ShelterBox, World Vision, Oxfam, and Save the Children. Emergency essentials were delivered to the worst-hit areas, search and rescue operations were ordered, and support was given to the medical teams dealing with thousands injured in the disaster.

But what happened next?

It's relatively easy for those living thousands of miles away to forget that whole towns in Japan are still completely devastated. The world has since had to cope with a host of other natural disasters in 2011: flooding in China, the Philippines and Colombia, famine in East Africa, and landslides in South Korea and Bolivia. British media has recently been concerned with the phone hacking scandal and the terrorist attack in Norway.

Out of the spotlight, charities and volunteers are still working tirelessly to help Japan rebuild. The BBC’s Jenny Hill recently returned to the hardest hit areas, to see what progress was being made. The reality is that there are still hundreds of thousands of people homeless, with rubble and debris covering much of the landscape.

Click to watch the video on the BBC website

What are the aid agencies doing?

• World Vision have reported that they have a two-year plan to assist in the recovery. They are currently working in the Miyagi Prefecture, distributing relief items such as blankets, bottled water, hygiene kits, clothing, and setting up a number of Child Friendly Spaces, to help children emotionally recover.

• Save the Children have distributed around 5500 back-to-school kits.

• Oxfam have been channelling funds into local services for vulnerable women, children and those with disabilities.

• ShelterBox have been applauded for their fast and ongoing response in delivering their boxes of tents, cooking utensils, tools and thermals to thousands of homeless survivors.

Mission Trip

One couple from Idaho – Shawn and Devon Wakeman – visited Japan on a mission trip with Global Expeditions. Their group of 24 people, many of them youths, spent a month ‘mucking out houses.’

“We got to work on seven different projects, and help out seven different people throughout the month that we were there,” Devon said. “We got those areas cleaned out, but when you look at the massive amount of destruction there is, it seems like seven houses is not a big deal.”

But the message from the couple to the youths they were leading was ‘You are making a difference’:

“It gave these kids the opportunity to just share with [the local community]...that they were there to spread [God’s] love for these people. And to show them that even though these bad things happen, that God was still there for them.” Devon said.

You can read the full article at the Idaho State Journal website.

'Generative Japan'

In addition to traditional aid and mission work, regeneration projects of a more alternative kind are springing up around the world. Makoto Fujimura, a US-born artist with strong cultural roots in Japan, has launched the Generative Japan project.

Generative Japan believes that art serves as a vehicle of recovery that reaches beyond the artist’s self-expression, spreading into the general culture, and serving generations to come.” Mako said. "Supporting this effort is an investment in the long-term rehabilitation of Japan.”

This kind of art therapy is gathering momentum, but relies on support from a generous community who can think beyond the immediate physical needs to a more holistic approach. You can read more about Mako Fujimura’s vision in the September issue of Share magazine, or visit his website for more information.

A long way to go

Although there’s a long way to go before Japan fully recovers (and some reports say it could be as long as ten years), there’s a sense that a difference is being made. The collective generosity of thousands of people across the globe is gradually transforming lives.

You can give to ShelterBox, World Vision, Oxfam and Save the Children using your Stewardship giving account, although some of these charities may no longer be collecting specifically for Japan.  We’ll  keep you updated on the developments in the area. In the meantime, let's remember the nation of Japan in our prayers as they continue to rebuild their lives.

All photos courtesy of ShelterBox UK.