JCIE March 2013 Update

March 2013 Update: 
Japan 3/11 Disaster Recovery Events & News 

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to share our latest monthly update on news related to the Tohoku disaster. This list is by no means comprehensive, but we hope it will be a useful contribution both in terms of sharing information and encouraging greater collaboration in the disaster response. Please forward any announcements, RFPs, or other information that you believe would be appropriate for this newsletter to Kaede Kawauchi  <kkawauchi@jcie.org>.

— JCIE

Announcement

JCIE has launched a new online searchable database containing roughly $1 billion in grants made by overseas organizations involved in the disaster response. Organizations involved in the long-term disaster recovery can now easily search for partners for collaboration by donor or recipient name, grant type, or location. The database can also be used to gain a clearer sense of how other groups have responded to the Japan disaster.

Upcoming Activities & Events

• Symposium: “Data-Driven Perspectives on Community Recovery in Tohoku,” Temple University, (April 11, 2013, Tokyo, Japan)— Scholars working in Fukushima discuss their findings on the impact of the earthquake and nuclear disasters on public health. In particular, Dr. Daniel Aldrich examines the factors correlated with mortality rates in the coastal villages during the crisis.

• Play: Hikobae, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, (Apr. 5–6, 2013, New York, NY)—A new production of Stella Adler Studio of Acting and Actors Clinic, Tokyo, the performance tells a fictional story about first responders and medical personnel who risked their lives on 3/11.

• Conference: “Mitigating Disasters, Promoting Development: The Sendai Dialogue and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Asia,” Brookings Institution, (May 10, 2013, Washington, DC)

• Meeting & Workshop: “US-Japan NGO/NPO Summit on Building Capacity & Sustainability,” US-Japan Council, (May 29, 2013, Tokyo, Japan)—This event is part of the US-Japan Council’s Japan Week 2013.

Recent Activities & Events

• Book Talk: 3.11 Disaster and Change in Japan, Japan Society, (March 12, 2013, New York, NY)—Dr. Richard Samuels of MIT offers the first broad assessment of the disaster’s impact on Japan’s government and society, and on the US alliance. 

• Exhibit: Inori: Pray for Japan Emerge into the Light, Consulate General of Japan, (March 4–22, 2013, New York, NY)—New York city based Japanese artist Minako Yoshino honors the second anniversary of 3/11 through her calligraphy, kimono, and fan art, along with her marble sculpture series.

• Visit: Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) goes to Tohoku, US-Japan Council, (March 2013, Fukushima, Japan)—JALD delegates visit Fukushima to learn about the state of the recovery efforts on the ground, including trips to a temporarily-constructed elementary school, Fukushima Medical University, and a community support center for evacuees living in temporary housing.

• Seminar: Volunteer Training for Kokoro no Care, Operation Blessing Japan, (March 20, 2013, Sendai, Japan)—Volunteers who hope to support the mental well being of earthquake victims and are looking for ways to become more involved in the disaster response participate in this informational seminar.

Reports & Books of Interest

• 3.11: Disaster and Change in Japan (March 11, 2013)—Authored by Dr. Richard Samuels.  

• US Giving for Japan Disaster Exceeds $710 Million—Special report by the Japan Center for International Exchange.

• Two Years After the Tsunami: Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management—An interesting article on disaster risk management programs by the World Bank with links to case studies ("Knowledge Notes") of lessons from the Japan disaster response that were prepared for the October 2012 Sendai Dialogue.  

• 2-year anniversary report from US donors
  • American Red Cross, Two-Year Update
  • Americares, Two-Year Special Report
  • Give 2 Asia, 2 Year Progress Report
  • Japan Center for International Exchange, Two-Year Fund Update
  • Japanese Red Cross, Operations Update No. 10
  • Mercy Corps, Update: Two Years Since the Tsunami
  • Save the Children, Two Years On
  • UNICEF, 2 Year Report  
  • World Vision, Two Year Anniversary Report

Articles of Interest

• Study: 22 Million Japanese at Risk for Next Tsunami, (Asahi, March 3, 2013)

• Speedy Rebuilding of Homes is Top Priority (Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2013) —Interview with Reconstruction Minister Takumi Nemoto.

• Japanese Student Tells UN How Youth are Reshaping Tsunami-Hit Areas  (Japan Times, March 8, 2013)

• Two Years On, New Psychological Stresses Emerge Amongst Survivors of Japan’s Triple Disaster (Japanese Red Cross, March 2013)

• Google Street View Captures Ghost Town in Fukushima’s Evacuation Zone, (New York Times, March 27, 2013) 

Other Updates of Note

• Japanese Relief Fund of Boston (JDFRFB) held a commemorative event in early March to mark the end of its two-year Tohoku initiative, closing down their fund after raising close to $1 million for 19 nonprofit and volunteer groups. 

More Resources on the Japan Disaster Response

>> Background on the Disaster
>> Lessons from the Response
>> Resources for Donors

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