By Atsuko Toko Fish, Co-founder of JDRFB

A Report Back from Tohoku

THE FishFamily

Foundation

http://japanesedisasterrelieffund.org

Wednesday May 25, 2011

Photos by Emily Fish

Setting up the Fund for Disaster Relief in Japan

• The Boston Foundation• Japan Society of Boston• The Fish Family Foundation

To provide direct and most impact project to the communities and individuals in the affected area, Tokoku of Japan

Purpose of the Fund

PURPOSE OF MY TRIP

• To get a better understanding of the needs of the people in the affected area (Tohoku area)

• To reach out to the local NGOs in order to distribute funds effectively

JAPAN DISASTER MAP

DISASTER FACTS

Tohoku Comparison

Death Toll 14,981 lives 1,836 (Katrina)

# Missing 9,850 individuals 135 (Katrina)

# of Evacuees at Shelters 115,000 individuals

# of Shelters 2,500 sites

Destroyed Shoreline 265 miles Boston to Syracuse

Destroyed Land Mass 155 sq miles 3 times size of Boston

Fukushima CityFukushima Prefecture

Visiting the Mayor of Fukushima

Distribution of relief goodsby ICA Japan

Orderly living space in the shelters

Evacuees seeking to return to normacy…

Kids will be kids

Soma CityFukushima Prefecture

Moving closer to the coast, the conditions got worse …

Doctors from BJMRI filled the leadership role in the communityDoctors from BJMRI filled the leadership role in the community

Youth convene in a community living space

Outdoor cooking space managed by volunteers

Entire township destroyedby the tsunami…

Nothing remains…

Sendai CityMiyagi Prefecture

Destroyed automobiles in the Nissan lot in Kohoku Port

Iwate PrefectureOfunato and Rikuzentakata

Volunteers from All Hands clearing debris

There is more work ahead

Factories destroyed…

So much lost …

RECOVERY PHASES

• Providing shelter and necessities

• Recovering public transportation

• Preventing epidemics

• Temporary Housing

• Clearing debris and reconstructing houses

• Local job creation & Economic Development

• Comprehensive regional strategic recovery plan, including community development and rebuilding of industry

• Compensation from TEPCO and government (central and regional).

CONCLUSION

• The tragedy is beyond imagination

• It is a long way to recover, even people in Tohoku are very patient but there is a limit.

• What we can do for Tohoku: Give them Hopes and Dreams.

• Boston can help with our unique resources• Education, Medical, technology and finance