Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update Monday, March 14, 2011

Note: New content has been inserted in red, italicized, bold font.

Overview A powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Friday (March 11) (the earthquake has since been upgraded to 9.0 magnitude by Japan’s Meteorological Agency) at 1446 local time (0546 GMT), unleashing massive tsunami waves that crashed into Japan’s eastern coast of Honshu, the largest and main island of Japan, resulting in widespread damage and destruction. According to the Government of Japan (GoJ) as of Monday (March 14), at

1 least 1,647 people are confirmed dead, 1,990 people are injured and some 10,000 people are reported to be missing, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. The UN says that it is expected that the numbers are likely to increase as emergency teams begin to reach some affected areas . The earthquake sparked widespread tsunami warnings across the Pacific that stretched from Japan to North and South America. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the shallow quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 km) (20 km deep according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency), around 80 miles (125 km) off the eastern coast of Japan, and 240 miles (380 km) northeast of Tokyo. It was reportedly the largest recorded quake in Japan’s history and the fifth largest in the world since 1900. The quake was also felt in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, located hundreds of miles from the epicenter and was also felt as far away as the Chinese capital Beijing, some 1,500 miles away.

There have been more than 100 aftershocks recorded since Friday (March 11), and a 6.0 magnitude aftershock on Monday (March 14), triggered a three meter (9 feet) high tsunami in northeast Japan. Japan’s Meteorological Agency says there is a 70 percent possibility of more aftershocks higher than 7.0 in the coming days. According to the UN, the continuing aftershocks and tsunami are hampering rescue efforts. GoJ officials also ordered new evacuations in several coastal areas, sending residents to higher ground.

Earthquakes had affected the region recently, including a 7.3-magnitude quake on March 9 that did not cause any damage. Japan’s worst previous quake was an 8.3 magnitude quake in 1923 that left some 143,000 dead. More recently, the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Kobe in 1995 left some 6,400 dead.

Worst-affected areas are Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate and Chiba prefectures (States) along Japan’s northeast coast. The population in these areas before the disaster was estimated at 14.8 million people, of which 1.6 million lived within 5 kilometers of the coast.

The Ministry of National Defense has so far deployed 66,000 personnel of the 100,000 the Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked for as well as 96 helicopters, seven fixed wing aircraft and 58 naval ships. More than 3,660 police officers have also been deployed. A total of 1,146 teams from the Ground Self-Defense Force and 40 teams from the Air Self-Defense Force are engaged in response operations. Kan said that so far some 15,000 survivors had been rescued. The US aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived off Japan early Sunday (March 13) to help provide logistical support. Japan has asked the US military to help refuel its helicopters and help transport troops to affected areas, according to the US Pacific Fleet.

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Key Concerns:

• Japan’s State of Emergency continues for the stricken nuclear power plants. The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Japan has asked the IAEA to provide experts to assist the GoJ manage the crisis.

• Around 185,000 residents near the three affected nuclear power plants have been evacuated. GoJ has pre-positioned iodine tablets in affected areas.

• Search and Rescue remains the priority in affected areas, but operations remain hampered by lack of access as well as by continuing aftershocks and tsunamis. Many communities remain stranded due to tsunami inundation. Conditions are exacerbated by winter weather, with temperatures dropping to less than 1 degree Celsius at night in some areas.

• Over 370,000 people are in some 2,050 emergency shelters in the six most affected prefectures and are in need of additional food, water, blankets, and sanitation facilities. Due to disruption in gas and electrical supplies, dropping temperatures are also exacerbating problems in the shelters.

• Access to water in affected areas is a concern due to water contamination and salination. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some 1.4 million households in 14 prefectures have no access to water.

• According to the UN, the main humanitarian needs are food, drinking water, blankets, fuel and medical supplies. GoJ said that food drops have begun in affected areas on Monday.

Impact The worst-affected areas are in northeastern Japan, close to the epicenter and tsunami impact areas in the Tohoku Region, including the prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate prefectures. Particularly hit hard are areas near the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture, with a population of some 1 million people. Ibaraki and Chiba prefectures in the Kanto region have also been badly affected. Large coastal areas have been submerged and villages washed away. The total level of destruction is not clear at this stage and it is likely to be some time before a clearer picture emerges.

The initial tsunami that swept over Japan’s northeastern coast was reportedly as high as 33 feet at the port of Sendai city in Miyagi prefecture, one of the worst-hit areas. The coastal city and prefecture capital, is located some 180 miles (300 km) from Tokyo, and is home to some one million people. The tsunami waves reached as far as six miles (10 km) inland in Miyagi. At least 60,000 to 70,000 people were evacuated to shelters in the Sendai area alone. The Sendai domestic airport is submerged, according to the UN. Strong tsunami waves also hit Fukushima

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prefecture, causing widespread damage to coastal communities. There are also reports that an irrigation dam had broken in Fukushima and some 1,800 houses may have been destroyed.

According to Kyodo news agency, emergency workers found around 1,000 bodies Monday on the coastline of the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi prefecture and also worked to recover another 200 to 300 bodies in Sendai. The Miyagi prefectural government said that another 1,000 bodies were spotted in the town of Minamisanriku. The local government had earlier said it had been unable to contact some 10,000 people in the town. The town has an estimated total population of 17,000 and was almost completely destroyed by the tsunami, NHK reported. In another town, Otsuchi in Iwate prefecture, the fate of some 8,000 people remained unknown, according to Kyodo news agency.

In the coastal region of Tohoku, the GoJ reports that 2,852 buildings were destroyed and over 40,000 damaged by earthquakes, tsunami or fire. In Sendai city, 2,700 houses have been washed away. Around 1,800 houses have been destroyed in Fukushima. Some 5,000 houses remain inundated with water in Iwate. The UN says that the number of houses damaged or destroyed is expected to increase as assessment teams gain access.

Japan’s National Police Agency (NPA) reports that 827 roads, 47 bridges, and seven railways are damaged. The NPA also reported more than 65 landslides throughout the country. Main highways in the most affected areas of northeastern Japan remain closed.

Hospitals are reportedly coping with the number of patients with 145 of the 170 designated emergency response hospitals fully functioning, according to OCHA. Medical teams from 52 hospitals around Japan have been sent to affected areas.

GoJ says 1.25 million houses are without electricity and gas supplies are running low for some 3.2 million people. The GoJ has announced temporary power cuts across the nation, following the reduction in output or the closure of 11 of 50 nuclear generators located in affected areas, OCHA reported.

The government warned that rolling blackouts would begin Monday as electricity supply is unlikely to keep up with demand. The blackouts are expected to last until at least the end of April, Kyodo reported. Train services in the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo are mostly paralyzed due to Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s announcement it was limiting power supply. According to NHK, the Ministry of Transport says it can no longer ensure transportation capacity at peak rush hour and that in some areas it is practically impossible to commute.

Access to water in affected areas is a concern due to water contamination and salination. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, some 1.4 million houses in 14 prefectures have no access to water

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In Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, some 566,000 phone lines and 216,300 fiber optic connections remain out of service. Communication is down for more than 20,000 people in Minami-Sanriku-Cho and Matsuyama of Miyagi and Otsuchi in Iwate.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency warns that the Tohoku region will be hit by snow or rain Wednesday (March 16). Cold weather is expected to continue until Friday (March 18), Kyodo reported.

More than 371,800 people have been evacuated from the most affected areas. The shelters are reportedly short of blankets, water and food.

The number of fires in quake-affected areas totaled over 200, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The UN reported over the weekend that some 60 fires have been put out, but 148 fires are still burning out of control. An explosion hit a petrochemical plant in Sendai while a huge fire swept through an oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture at the Cosmo Oil Refinery company. The fire reportedly still remains ablaze . OCHA’s Environmental Emergencies Section is monitoring the situation and says it can provide specialized assistance to help mitigate risks

Hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands were reportedly stranded at the major Narita and Haneda airports. Tens of thousands were also stranded in Tokyo after Japan’s rail network was shutdown. The subway system had stopped during the earthquake as part of an automatic response. Train service in Tokyo and northeastern Japan normally serves around 10 million people a day. All ports were also reportedly shutdown. As of 6 AM (March 12) Tokyo time, Tokyo/Haneda airport is reported open, but most flights are facing delays. Trains connecting the airport with central Tokyo are running, but buses are not yet running. Tokyo/Narita airport had opened as of 3:30 AM but not all flights were flying. Trains connecting Narita and central Tokyo were shut down for inspection. According to the UN, other major airports, including Nagoya, Niigata, Kobe International and Osaka international airports are open. (OCHA, March 12)

In other news, in southern Japan, Mt. Shinmoe-dake erupted after two weeks of inactivity on March 13. The volcano began erupting on January 26 after 50 years of inactivity, leading to the evacuation of 1,500 people. No damage has been reported from the latest activity.

Status of nuclear power plants According to the Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA), an explosion occurred Monday (March 14) at the Unit 3 reactor of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The hydrogen explosion was similar to that at the Unit 1 reactor on Saturday (March 12). According to Japanese authorities, despite the exploded reactor building, the primary containment vessel remains intact. Some six people were injured in the incident. On Saturday, the explosion at the plant’s Unit 1 injured four people, one seriously. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters that the explosion at the Unit 1 was caused by a failure in the pumping system as workers tried to control the reactors temperature. As of

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Sunday (March 13), authorities have evacuated 185,000 residents from some 10 towns near the affected nuclear power plants. Two of the three power plants, namely Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini are operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), while the third plant known as Onagawa in Miyagi prefecture is operated by the Tohoku Electric Power Company. The evacuation radius around Daiichi and Daini is 12 miles, while the evacuation radius around Onagawa is 6 miles. Officials have distributed 230,000 units of stable iodine to evacuation centers around Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants. The prepositioning of iodine is a precautionary measure in the event of a significant nuclear meltdown and has not been administered to residents. Stable iodine tablets are known to reduce radiation absorption risk to the thyroid. The Fukushima Daiichi plant, located some 170 miles (270 km) northeast of Tokyo, has six nuclear reactors, while Fukushima Daini and Onagawa have four and three respectively. As of March 12, all 13 reactors at the three affected sites have been shut down. Status of Unit 3 at Daiichi remains critical, while Unit 1 & 2 are also under inspection. Units 4, 5 and 6 at Daiichi plant were shut down for regular inspection. At Daini plant, Units, 1-3 remain at subcritical status, while unit 4 is also under inspection. According to NISA, radioactivity levels at the site boundary of the Onagawa nuclear plant are back to normal levels. Japan has asked the IAEA to provide experts to assist the GoJ manage the crisis. Officials had declared a state of nuclear emergency as a precaution following the failure of the cooling system. Japan’s defense ministry says it has sent dozens of troops trained to deal with chemical disasters to the plant in case of a radiation leak. The IAEA initially said that four other nuclear plants had been shut down safely. The reactors that were shut down due to the quake account for some 18 percent of the country’s total nuclear power generating capacity, according to Reuters. Japanese officials had reported a fire at the Onagawa nuclear power plant, which was eventually extinguished. The plant, as well as Fuksuhima-Daini and Tokai nuclear power plants, were shut down automatically and no radiation release was detected.

Request for international assistance The GoJ has so far received offers of assistance from 91 countries and has accepted assistance from 15 countries mostly in specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams and medical teams.

Japan has asked for international help to deal with the disaster and Prime Minister Naoto Kan is leading an emergency task force. Dozens of countries have so far offered assistance. The GoJ has also requested the US military in country to assist with relief efforts and to help refuel its helicopters and help transport troops to affected areas.

OCHA says that a 9-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, led by team leader Arjun Katoch (India), has arrived in Japan to assist the GoJ with the coordination of international assistance.

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Regional Tsunami impact At least 50 countries and territories in the region had been put on tsunami alert, stretching across the Pacific to North and South America, but the alert has since been lifted. The US states of Alaska and Hawaii and states along the US West Coast were also affected by the warning. Emergency officials in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia say they are remaining vigilant and on alert as aftershocks continue to rock Japan. One life was claimed in northeastern Wewak in PNG due to the evacuation of the Wewak hospital because of high water levels on March 12.

The warning sparked mandatory evacuations for some coastal areas of the state of Hawaii. The first tsunami waves hit Hawaii approximately 3 AM local time (1400 GMT) Hawaii. Initial reports from Hawaii indicate some minor damages, but nothing major so far. On Saturday (March 12), Ed Teixera, the vice director of state Civil Defense, said that initial estimates for state property was at US$3 million, and damages to private properties were still being assessed. Governor Neil Abercrombie issued an emergency proclamation which will allow the state to seek federal money. Evacuations were also ordered in parts of California, Washington and Oregon, along the U.S. West Coast, but so far little damage has been reported. CNN reported that one person in California had been swept to sea. According to Agence France-Presse, tsunami waves damaged and destroyed some coastal buildings as far away as Peru, but had overall little effect on other Latin American countries bordering the Pacific Ocean. Tens of thousands of people had been evacuated from coastal areas as a precaution.

Economic Damages Jefferies International Ltd., a global investment banking group, has put initial overall economic damages at around US$10 billion. The 1995 Kobe earthquake caused some US$100 billion in damage and was the most expensive natural disaster in history according to Reuters. Japan sits along the so-called Pacific Rim of Fire where seismic activity is common. Japan accounts for some 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater, according to Reuters.

On Monday, the Bank of Japan decided to expand its asset buying fund to 40 trillion yen (US$489,481,004,145) to help prevent the quake from hindering an economic recovery, according to Kyodo. Major automakers and department store chains suspended their operations.

Government Response

Immediately following the disaster, the Government of Japan (GoJ) established an Emergency Response Team, headed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan. According to the Japan Times, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces swung into full action Saturday (Mar 12). All available SDF resources, including personnel, vehicles, aircraft and vessels were mobilized for rescue efforts. According to the Defense Ministry, the SDF was coordinating with the US military to transport about 900 Ground SDF troops and about 250 vehicles by US vessels, in what is the largest –ever anti disaster operation involving US forces. Due to continuous aftershocks and surging waves, response efforts have been hampered. (OCHA, Mar 12)

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The Ministry of National Defense has so far deployed 66,000 personnel of the 100,000 the Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked for as well as 96 helicopters, seven fixed wing aircraft and 58 naval ships. More than 3,660 police officers have also been deployed. A total of 1,146 teams from the Ground Self-Defense Force and 40 teams from the Air Self-Defense Force are engaged in response operations.

The GoJ also declared a State of Nuclear Emergency on Friday (Mar 11) due to the threat posed by reactors in two Fukushima nuclear power plants, which prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents on Saturday (Mar 12) from a 20-km area around the nuclear plants north of Tokyo. The central government sent senior officials and troops to the nuclear plant Friday to help cope with any emergency. (OCHA, Kyodo News, Mar 12)

Information from the Government of Japan can be found at http://www.kantei.go.jp.

National Response

The Japanese Red Cross (JRC ) has promptly mobilized staff and volunteers, and sent has 80 national disasters response teams over the past 24 hours. These medical relief teams, consisting of about 400 doctors, nurses and support staff, are on the ground providing first aid and healthcare in affected areas through mobile medical clinics and assessing the damage and needs of the affected communities. The JRC has distributed 30,000 blankets so far to evacuees in temporary centers established in schools and public buildings. Meanwhile, in response to damages caused to the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the JRC also remains prepared to support those evacuated from the exclusion zone, and continues to closely monitor the situation. (IFRC, Mar 11-14)

The Japanese Red Cross Society, facilitated by the ICRC, are encouraging those living overseas to make use of the ICRC’s restoring Family Links website ( www.familylinks.icrc.org ) to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends missing since the disaster hit. This free website enables a person to inform their family and friends that they are safe and can provide contact details, while those looking for people can check the list for information. (ICRC, Mar-12)

Many National Societies have offered assistance to Japan, but the Japanese Red Cross Society has not yet requested international assistance from the global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Led by the IFRC, a high level international support and liaison team will arrive in Japan soon and support the activities of the JRC. (IFRC, Mar 12)

The Bank of Japan established a task force led by Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, saying its online network system that processes transactions between the bank and financial institutions was operating normally. (Japan Times, Mar 11)

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International Response

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep sorrow and offered the UN’s full support in providing humanitarian assistance to Japan. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), up to 68 international SAR teams from more than 45 states were on alert, awaiting a green light from authorities in Japan to deploy. The OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) has been in contact with the OCHA Kobe office that will monitor government and media sources. OCHA has been using its regional offices in Bangkok and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region to monitor the situation, with a special focus placed on watching the tsunami triggered by the quake. (OCHA, Mar 11-12)

On Monday (Mar 14), spokeswoman for OCHA, Elisabeth Byrs, said that the UN does not plan to mount a bigger relief operation unless requested, Reuters reported. Byrs also said that UN action will be very focused according to needs, and added that Japan was “the most disaster-prepared country in the world.” (Reuters, Mar 14)

A seven-member UN Disaster and Assessment (UNDAC) team arrived in Tokyo on Sunday (Mar 13). On Monday (Mar 14), the UNDAC team met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Tokyo, agreeing that they will assist the GoJ’s efforts, coordinate the international USAR teams and assist with assessments and environmental hazard analysis. To facilitate coordination, an On- Site Operations Coordination center (OSOCC) has been set up in the premises of JICA Tokyo International Center. (OCHA, Mar 12-14)

Environmental experts who make up a specialized unit of OCHA and the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) are closely monitoring the nuclear crisis, but have not been dispatched. (Reuters, Mar 14)

The UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and UN Operational Satellite Applications Program (UNOSAT) are monitoring the situation. UNOSAT reported that the Space Charter was triggered by Japan on Sunday. (UNOCHA, Mar 11, 13)

The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) reported staff on standby across the Asia-Pacific region ready to respond to calls for assistance.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday (Mar 12) that the current public health risk from Japan’s radiation leak appeared to be “quite low,” but the WHO network of medical experts was prepared to assist if requested. (Reuters, Mar 12)

NGOs/IOs

China Red Cross (CRC): China’s Red Cross has pledgedUS$150,000 (1 million Yuan) to its Japanese counterpart (JRC). (AFP, Mar 12)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) offered technical assistance to the GoJ. (OCHA, Mar 13)

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The International Medical Corps (IMC): The US medical relief organization IMC says it is in contact with its partners in Japan and other potentially affected countries to assess needs and coordinate activities.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): The IFRC has informed all national societies in Asia Pacific which are covered in the tsunami warning as well as the Europe and America zones regarding their specific countries. A communications delegate from the Asia Pacific IFRC office has been deployed to the affected area. In addition, the Asia Pacific Regional Logistics Unit has emergency stocks ready to be dispatched from Kuala Lumpur if needed. IFRC has deployed a High Level Support/Liaison Team to support the Japan Red Cross Society. (OCHA, Mar 14)

Maltesar International has provided US$35,000 (25,000 Euros) from its emergency relief fund for emergency aid in Japan. (MI, Mar 14)

Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) currently has a team of 10 people split into three teams carrying out mobile clinics and assessments in Miyagi Prefecture. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Mercy Corps is working with Peace Winds Japan to rush to the aid of quake zone victims. The members of its own emergency response team are on high alert to provide support. Two teams of Peace Winds expert responders are on the way to Natori, Miyagi Prefecture and plan to provide balloon shelters, emergency tents, water, food and blankets. Mercy Corps responders in the region stand ready to support Peace Winds’ efforts. (Mercy Corps, Mar 13)

MERCY Malaysia , on standby, is monitoring the situation and ready to respond as requests for international assistance come in. (OCHA, Mar 11) MERCY Malaysia will deploy a four-person rapid assessment team, consisting of one surgeon, a logistics, person, a medical officer and a psychologist, to Tokyo on Monday (Mar 14). The team will be looking for ways to support the efforts currently being done by the Embassy of Malaysia in Tokyo and will be looking to link with local partners in Japan to identify humanitarian needs. (MERCY Malaysia, Mar 13)

Oxfam: Humanitarian relief organization Oxfam is saying that it is monitoring the situation and remains on standby to respond to affected regions.

Operation Blessing International: The US-based relief organization, Operation Blessing International (OBI) says it is deploying a medical team out of its Manila, Philippines office to Japan.

Red Cross Society of China (RCSC): The RCSC decided to donate US$152,087 (1 million Yuan) on Saturday in emergency aid to its Japanese counterpart, the Red Cross Society of Japan. (RCSC, Mar 14)

Save the Children (SC): Speaking from central Tokyo, SC spokesman Elichi Sadamatsu said his organization remains on standby to serve welfare of children and families of those affected by the massive natural calamity. SC has deployed emergency response teams to assess

10 the needs of children and their families in the worst-affected areas between Miyagi Prefecture and Tokyo in Japan. A team in Sendai is setting up an operations base to help the most vulnerable children and their families. They have also launched an appeal for US$865,000 to help support and protect the children of Japan. (SC, Mar 13-14)

Telecoms sans Frontiers (TSF): TSF has deployed a team from its regional base in Bangkok to assess the communications and are now providing emergency telecommunications assistance from Tokyo. (TSF, OCHA, Mar 13-14)

Turkish Red Crescent Society: A three-member assessment team from the Turkish Red Crescent Society arrived in Japan on Saturday. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Tzu Chi Foundation: The Tzu Chi Foundation established an emergency coordination center in its global headquarters in Taiwan. Their chapter in Tokyo has opened its office as a shelter, providing hot meals and internet connection for people to contact their family members. To date, they have provided 500 items for those trapped on the streets of the capital. Volunteers have begun to assess the needs of residents who are in emergency shelters under the coordination of Japan officials. (Buddhist Tzu, Mar 14)

World Bank: The World Bank group is prepared to help the government and the people of Japan in the recovery efforts. They are monitoring potential impacts in countries across the region and are ready to provide support. (WB, Mar 11)

World Vision (WV): The US-based humanitarian relief organization World Vision said that it is preparing to respond to the emergency and its staff in the region and in Japan remains on standby. WV in Japan will be deploying three staff to the quake zone to assess the impact and determine immediate needs for survivors. They are responding with an initial budget of US$400,000 for a one-month period. WV plans to distribute daily necessities following the assessment. (WV, Mar 13)

Foreign Governments

The international rescue effort to help Japan find survivors continues to grow. The GoJ has received offers for assistance from 91 countries, and has so far accepted help from about 15 countries based on assessed needs, the majority for specialized international urban search and rescue (USAR) teams and medical teams. (Reuters, Mar 14) Initially, Japan’s government on Saturday accepted offers of international assistance from Australia, the US, Republic of South Korea, New Zealand, Germany, Singapore and Mexico. Teams from these countries include in total 145 search and rescue specialists and 30 dogs. (OCHA, Mar 12)

Afghanistan: The mayor of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, Ghulam Haidar Hamidi, announced it was donating US$50,000 in aid to the people affected by the disasters in Japan, the AFP reported Kandahar’s provincial governor as saying. (AFP, Mar 12)

Australia: Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan says the Federal Government is monitoring the situation in Japan closely and Australia stands prepared to provide any assistance needed. (ABC News, Mar 11) On Saturday, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said his government was “prepared to throw anything and everything at this.” Also, Australia has sent dogs and

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search and rescue teams at the request of GoJ, while OCHA reported the country is deploying 72 specialists and 22 tons of rescue and medical equipment. (OCHA, AFP, Mar 12) Australia on Monday also offered self-contained field hospitals and sent disaster victim identification teams, with two military transport aircraft carrying SAR teams. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Austria: Rapid Response Health teams were mobilized from Austria (12 medical staff) and will arrive on Monday. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Canada: The Canadian government has put a range of capabilities at Japan’s disposal, including a 17 member Disaster Victim Identification team, which is on standby and ready to be deployed. They are also offering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technical expertise and equipment, Canadian Forces assets and emergency medical and engineering capabilities. They stand ready to respond to needs identified by the GoJ. (GoC, Mar 14)

China: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed “deep sympathy” and solicitude to the Japanese government and people, and on behalf of the Chinese government, offered whatever aid that is necessary. According to the director of the China Earthquake Administration, Chen Jianmin, China’s International Rescue Team has mobilized its members, equipment, materials and medicines in place and is ready to depart for Japan at any time, Xinhua news agency reported. A Chinese emergency rescue team was accepted by the GoJ, and a charter plane, consisting of a 15 member team arrived on Sunday. The Chinese International Search and Rescue Team, which will operate in Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture, brought four tons of materials and equipment, and their own power supply and telecommunication. The ministry also announced Monday that China will provide US$4.56 million (30 million Yuan) worth of relief supplies to Japan and the first batch of relief goods China committed is set to arrive on Monday night. Relief items include: 2,000 blankets, 900 cotton tents and 200 emergency lights, valued at US$1.1 million (7.2 million Yuan). (GoJ, Xinhua, Mar 13-14)

European Commission: The Monitoring and Information Center of the European Commission (MIC) is ready to assist Japan if a request for assistance is received. (OCHA, Mar 11)

Estonia: The Estonian Foreign Ministry is allocating US$280,000 (200,000 Euro) to help victims of the disaster in Japan. (GoE, Mar 14)

European Union: The Civil Protection coordination mechanism (MIC) is preparing to coordinate deployment of in-kind assistance and nuclear experts from Europe, as soon as Japanese authorities request it. Twenty Member States have offered personnel or material through the European Civil Protection Mechanism to help Japan. The MIC has dispatched a civil liaison officer to Japan Sunday to reinforce the EU Delegation in Tokyo and prepare for a possible deployment of a coordination team. (EU, Mar 14)

France: France has deployed a search and rescue team consisting of 134 personnel. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Germany: Germany has sent a search and rescue team consisting of 41 people and three dogs. (Reuters, Mar 14)

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Hungary: Hungary’s emergency authority said it had offered a 16-member crew as part of the International Response Assistance Network program to check radiation and perform medical advisory work in seven monitoring teams. (Reuters, Mar 14)

India: India said it stood in “full solidarity” with the people of Japan, adding that their resources were at their full disposal. (AFP, Mar 12) India is preparing to ship planeloads of woolen blankets. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Lithuania: Lithuanian state fire and rescue service said it was prepared to offer up to 32 rescuers, including three with search dogs and three paramedics. Lithuania coordinates assistance via the EU. (Reuters, Mar-14)

Maldives: The Maldives has said it will provide Japan with 1,800 cases of Maldivian tuna, which is equivalent to 86,400 individual cans, as “emergency disaster supplies” for quake and tsunami victims. The shipment of tuna is reportedly worth US$93,700 (1.2 million Maldivian Ruffiya). (Minivan News, Mar 13)

Mongolia: The country’s Montsame news agency reported that Mongolia has donated US$1 million, along with 2,500 woolen blankets, and offered to send up to 300 soldiers to help with relief efforts. (Reuters, Mar 14)

New Zealand: Although New Zealand is currently dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Christchurch in late February, the country has sent a search and rescue help team consisting of 65 personnel. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Russia: Russian President Dmitry said Russia was “ready to offer Japan all possible aid to cope with the aftermath of the tragedy.” A group of EMERCOM rescuers, Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, arrived in Tokyo, Monday and have three rescue motor vehicles, search equipment, hydraulic tools and all that is needed for autonomous operations within two weeks. They will meet 25 specialists of the Far Eastern regional search and rescue team, who are aboard a Mi-26 helicopter from Khabarovsk. An additional team of some 50 rescuers and equipment are expected leave on Monday. An expert group of “Rosatom” corporation, the state nuclear corporation, is planned to depart together with specialists from EMERCOM of Russia. Rosatom has offered to help in responding to problems at the nuclear plants. (GoRF, Reuters, Mar 14)

Singapore has civil defense forces on standby, and on Saturday said it will send dogs and search and rescue teams at the request of Japanese officials. (AFP, Mar 12)

Slovakia: PM Iveta Radicova told parliament that Slovakia had 250,000 Euros prepared for Japan, but would coordinate with other EU states. They also have 25 rescue workers prepared to deploy when asked for. (Reuters, Mar 14)

South Korea: The GoJ also accepted an additional support team from the Republic of South Korea (ROK) on Sunday. Consisting of 102 personnel, including rescue workers and two officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the team is scheduled to arrive on Monday. (GoJ, Mar 14) A further 100 rescue workers are on standby to support

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Japan, while an advance team of five rescue workers and two search dogs have been in Japan since Saturday. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka announced a contribution of US$1 million and a military relief team with medical assistance to be sent to Japan. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Switzerland: Switzerland announced it was sending a team of some 25 rescue and medical experts along with nine sniffer dogs. According to Toni Frisch, head of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, they will be in charge with searching for victims underneath the debris of the tsunami. (Reuters, Mar 12)

Taiwan: A 28-member team of rescue specialists left for Tokyo on Monday. A first batch of supplies has also been sent. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Thailand: Thailand’s cabinet has allocated US$6.58 million (200 million Baht) to buy warm clothes, gloves, rubber boots, instant food and other goods to be sent to Japan in the next couple of days. Thailand will also send 15,000 tons of rice. Thailand has a medical team leaving on Monday night that will be caring for about 500-600 Thai people affected in Japan. (Reuters, Mar 14)

United Kingdom: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II said her thoughts and prayers were with the Japanese people. The Government of the United Kingdom pledged its support for Japanese emergency response and offered to send rescue teams and other specialists. (Telegraph, Mar 11) After a direct appeal from the GoJ, Britain sent a team of 64 fire service search and rescue specialists, two rescue dogs and a medical support team to join the international relief effort. The team will bring 11 tons of specialist rescue equipment, including heavy lifting and cutting equipment. They said it would send nuclear physicists if requested. (Reuters, Mar 14)

United States: US President Barack Obama has relayed to Japanese PM Naoto Kan that the US would assist Japan in any way during this time of great trial. Obama told the media that the main US assistance to Japan would probably be “lift capacity,” referencing helicopters and planes that can carry heavy loads, the Washington Post (WP) reported. On Friday, the US Navy initiated reconnaissance flights to map the disaster zone. The Pentagon is set to send some P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircrafts to support the Japanese government by providing aerial reconnaissance over quake-damaged areas. (ABC News, Mar 12) According to US Ambassador John Roos, the operation called “Operation Tomodachi,” Japanese for “friendship”, includes US military assets that are gearing up in the area with a wide range of equipment, air, sea and ground capability and expertise. US forces have units from all services, with a multitude of capabilities. US Pacific Fleet ships in the Western Pacific, carrying supplies, personnel and airlifts, were headed towards Japan to provide emergency assistance. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is now off the coast of Honshu, and will serve as a place for Japanese helicopters to land and refuel. Their two escort ships, the USS Chancellorsville and USS Preable, are also headed to Japan. The USS Tortuga, a dock landing ship, is loaded with two heavy lift MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and was expected to arrive on Sunday. The USS Essex, an amphibious ship

14 carrying a 31 st Marine Expeditionary Unit was expected to arrive on Tuesday (March 15), while the USS Blue Ridge, loaded with relief supplies, has left Singapore and should arrive after the Essex. (GoUSA, Mar 13) The USS Harpers Ferry and USS Germantown are in rendezvous to stand ready off Tokyo for any HADR relief duties. (GoUSA, WP, Mar 12)

Meanwhile, US Air Force and Marine helicopter and transport aircraft were moved from Okinawa to the US military bases on Honshu. Two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters have delivered 1,500 pounds of rice and bread to people in the town of Shiroishi. Marines and sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force are also supporting relief operations and its subordinate units are providing command and control, aviation and logistics support. Because of the proximity of aviation assets at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Marines from III MEF are quickly able to deploy critically needed supplies and aid to areas most in need. Additionally, a squadron from Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona has been tapped to aid in relief efforts.

According to the DoD, US Forces-Japan (USFJ) started coordinating with the US Embassy in Tokyo to support the GoJ response. They have permitted the GoJ to use Misawa and Yokota airbases for aircraft carrying humanitarian personnel and supplies. (USAID, Mar 13). On Friday, (Mar 11), US Agency for International Development (USAID) activated a Washington DC based Response Management Team to coordinate the USG humanitarian response to the tsunami. USAID/OFDA provided US$100,000 through the US Embassy in Tokyo to help with the immediate local response. USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has arrived in Japan and are working to coordinate the overall US Government response effort. (USAID, Mar 11-12) At the request of the GoJ, USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) deployed two USAR teams from Fairfax County and Los Angeles County, consisting of 72 personnel and six rescue dogs each, to help in the rescue effort, providing emergency medical and water rescue capabilities. The team arrived on Sunday (Mar 13) at Misawa Airport and will go to Ohunato in Iwate Prefecture to engage in search and rescue activities under the direction of the Tokyo Fire Department, which is already in operation there. (GoJ, Mar 13) The DART will be working to coordinate the overall US Government response effort. (OCHA, Mar 14)

In response to the nuclear emergency, two US experts from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) were deployed to Japan on Saturday. (OCHA, Mar 13)

Obama also noted on Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was prepared to aid any of the US states or territories who needed help.

Vietnam: Vietnam will provide US$200,000 in aid. The Vietnamese Red Cross will give an initial US$50,000 through the Japanese Red Cross, state-run news website VnExpress reported. (Reuters, Mar 14)

Note: This report has been compiled from publicly available information. Although information has been gathered from sources deemed reliable, the currency and completeness of the information reported herein is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Inquiries, updates and comments are welcome and should be directed to [email protected].

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