On March 11, 2011, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people were forever changed when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a massive tsunami devastated Japan.
In the two years since the incident, the Canadian Red Cross - one of the world's most active non-profit organizations - has worked to provide relief to those in need in a variety of ways.
Japan in recovery
About 15,879 people passed away due to the tsunami and earthquake, while 2,712 are missing and 6,126 were injured. According to the Government of Japan, close to 27.6 million tons of debris were left behind after the emergency, and while 77 per cent has been transported to areas for waste disposal, a mere 27 per cent has been moved to permanent locations.
The scale of the event inspired an international humanitarian response by the Red Cross Movement, and over 161,000 volunteers were deployed to the region. Due to the assistance of the Red Cross, 87,445 people were given access to medical treatment, while more than 14,000 people received psychosocial support and counselling.
Those who resettled in new homes were also given electronic appliances and furniture packages to ease the transition.
The Canadian Red Cross in Japan
The effects of the earthquake and tsunami on Japan have been tremendous, however the Canadian Red Cross has been committed to improving access to essential resources, like food, shelter and medical care, for people around the country.
The Canadian Red Cross has raised more than $48 million in support of those in the region and relief programs offered by the Japanese Red Cross. As people and communities strive to recover from the incident, the Canadian Red Cross has also supported the Japanese Red Cross' efforts to enhance long-term disaster preparedness programs, which can help individuals become more resilient and better equipped in the event of a natural disaster.
How you can help
In the aftermath of emergencies and disasters, such as Japan, the Canadian Red Cross strives to provide relief to those in need. By offering a variety of programs that give affected individuals access to food, clothing, shelter and other basic necessities, the Canadian Red Cross works to honour its humanitarian mission around the world.
With the support of Canadians like you, Red Cross assistance can be provided to people during times of emergency both across the country and internationally. This can help people overcome the challenges during times of disaster and provide them with proper resources.
To make a difference, please donate online or at your local Canadian Red Cross office today.