Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Fund UPDATE
For Immediate Release
By Hongwanji International Center
March 10, 2012
Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
UPDATE
Hongwanji thanks everyone who has donated generously to our East Japan Great Earthquake Relief Fund over the past year. Since the March 11 natural disaster and accident which followed at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Hongwanji launched its East Japan Great Earthquake Relief Fund on March 12, 2011, collecting funds to assist with relief efforts. In addition, we have had donation boxes prepared for collections at temple functions throughout the year. Through the generous donations of various individuals and groups, the total funds received by Hongwanji, has been reported as JPY 893,752,905 (as of February 28, 2012).
However, the need is great not just in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, but also in the longer term and Japan is expected to face a long road toward recovery. With the funds which have been generously donated, we have committed to provide immediate humanitarian relief and assist with long-term recovery and reconstruction of the devastated Tohoku area.
Beginning August 2011, a support fund known as Shienkin, was set up to financially support volunteer and other support activities such as counseling and social gatherings at temporary housing facilities helping to rebuild the community. The total Shienkin received as of February 28, 2012 is JPY 91,166,802. For more information, please refer to the Tohoku District Volunteer Center website at http://otera-vc.jimdo.com/ (Japanese only).
A list of requested items (http://otera-vc.jimdo.com/支援物資の募集について/) and blog are posted and regularly updated by members of the volunteer center. Over the year, the center has received goods including bottled water and food supplying nutrients, toys and games entertaining the children, daily necessities such as clothing, sundries, and cleaning supplies, and Buddhist artifacts such as nenjus and altar adornments to support the spiritual needs of those who have been displaced.
Today, as we reflect on the tragedy a year later, let us be resolute in feeling a sense of closeness to those who are affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake and share in their pain and sorrow.
Again, we would like to thank everyone and every organization that have made contributions to assist our friends and loved ones in Tohoku and ask for your continued support toward helping as many people as possible re-establish their livelihoods.
For any questions, please contact us at kokusai@hongwanji.or.jp.
