December 2, 2011
Japan
Caritas Japan continues to help people who live in four Japanese areas affected by the devastating tsunami in March 2011. By the end of September, it has used also about 60 million CZK, sent from various caritas organizations, including 5 million CZK provided by Caritas Czech Republic.
Cooperation Caritas Japan and Diocese Sendai has started on 16th March when the Sendai Diocese Support Center was established. The centre continues to provide assistance in the areas of Kamaishi, Ishinomaki, Shiogama Jonekawa, where the bases have been set up to distribute food and other needs. Dozens of volunteers coming from all over Japan are involved in the operation.
Their work consists of clearing rubble and mud from damaged homes, cleaning floor mats and floors, preparing homes to be used again. They have earned great respect for their efforts In the area of Shiogama where local people started calling them "Caritas-san," or Mr. or Mrs. Caritas. In a similar way, they have earned a respect from inhabitants of the Urata islands, who usually do not trust foreigners at all.
Volunteers help cleaning houses in the area of Ishinomaki. However, the main activities are the supply of hot water to local residents, who can then prepare instant meals or just a cup of tea or coffee. Hot water is also used for bathing and laundry. Volunteers listen to people waiting in queues or play with their children. Because people can not cook vegetables, they highly appreciate the distribution of vegetable juice and fresh vegetables.
With the support of Caritas, sisters of the Monastery della Carita Suor di Gesu (Sisters of Jesus Caritas) from the Tokyo organized a concert for 100 people in evacuation centers, and then Israeli virtuoso violinist Ivry Gitlis played for 350 high school students .
Thanks to the work base in Kamiashi, a cafe has started to work. Every day, almost 40 people come and have a cup of coffee and talk. Caritas' activities have concentrated on psycho-social needs. People also can come to a newly opened shop, where they receive what they need.
Volunteers are also handing out the necessary utensils to people living in temporary houses alhough more important are the conversations with people. In one week, they visit up to 400 households.
The smallest base in Yonekawa houses five volunteers 40 minutes drive by car to distant evacuation centers in Minami. It is located at the Shizugawa high school. Volunteers in one room carry out the "heart care", provide advice, psychological counseling or just allow people to relax over a cup of tea.
Caritas Japan also plans to help to restore fisheries by encouraging the continuation of oysters farming on the Urato islands. Another option in the area of agriculture appears to be seaweed cultivation. A project to build a temporary area for businesses also continues. Young traders hope to open 20 to 30 shops. The Organization for Small and Medium Business will rent assembled stands. Caritas is considering providing funds for the necessary renovations.
Work on the restoration of all of these fields must continue. Given the increased number of suicides of children from the secondary schools and old people should be met mainly by psycho-social assistance. The local nurses, paramedics and social workers should should join the volunteers. They would be trained by representatives of University Institute Grief Care.
