CHICAGO, IL (March 14, 2011) – A new fund has been established by Covenant World Relief to aid victims of the earthquakes and tsunami that devastated large areas in Japan last Friday, with more than 1,900 confirmed deaths and thousands of individuals still unaccounted for, according to Japanese relief officials.
The 8.9 magnitude earthquake was followed by another measured at 7.4 as well as a 23-foot tsunami and more than 20 aftershocks registering at more than a magnitude 6.0. Click here to read the earlier story.
Covenant World Relief (CWR) will be distributing funds through a number of partners that are already working in the affected areas.
“I called Pastor Shimizu, the leader of the Japan Covenant Church, and spoke with him this morning,” reports David Husby, CWR director. “ Pastor Shimizu said that even the areas not deeply affected by the earthquakes and tsunamis have been emotionally affected. Transportation is still an issue. Many trains are not running. Some highways are still closed. Where there are gas stations open, there are long lines. Food supplies in stores are very low, particularly rice – the staple food of Japan. The graduation ceremony at the Covenant Seminary in Tokyo scheduled for today was cancelled.”
Despite the anxiety over nuclear reactor explosions and meltdowns, people gathered for worship yesterday (Sunday) and began donating funds for those in the northeast who are in far worse condition, Pastor Shimizu said. Husby is encouraging Covenanters in North America to join with the Japan Covenant Church as they reach out to those who are suffering in the northeast.
“He assured me that the funds will be used in partnership with the most reputable and effective organizations,” Husby added. “This is an opportunity to join together with our Japanese brothers and sisters in reaching out the those who have been most affected by the earthquakes and tsunamis.
Click here to donate to the Japan relief fund.
