Disaster Response Japan Project #7723

Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

by Mercy Corps

Response to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Project Report | Jun 13, 2013
Our final update on the recovery in Japan

By Carlene Deits | Project Leader

A woman outside her redone kimono shop

In March, we passed the two year anniversary of the devastating tsunami that rocked the Tohoku region. During that time, we reflected on the aid provided in those two years and we want to share just a few accomplishments because of you:

With our long-time partners Peace Winds Japan, we gave vouchers to local people instead of handing out goods and food which allowed families to buy what they really needed.
From the voucher program, we moved on to keep keystone industries in the area going such as reopening the dock-side fish market in Ofunato.
Shortly after, we provided start-up and re-employment grants which have reached more than 200 businesses and employed 1,000 people (with the help of NGO PlaNet Finance and Kesennuma Shinkin Bank).

Live affected by the tsunami have been improved because of you. Thank you.

Though we will continue our long term efforts in the region, we will no longer be doing a project page through GlobalGiving. If you would like to still donate to the mission of Mercy Corps through GlobalGiving, we encourage you to change lives through our Help Turn Crisis Into Opportunity project. You can also continue to follow our progress in Japan and see our other programs in the country as well.

We are truly thankful for your generous contributions and for continuing to care two years after the catastrophe. You have helped the people of Japan get back on their feet quicker!

With gratitude,

Carlene

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Mar 15, 2013
Last day to have your donations matched! See the difference you've made!

By Carlene Deits | Project Leader

Mr. Nagashima hard at work in his new bakery

Thank you so much for all the support you have given to the citizens of Japan. Their stories of survival and struggle are harrowing, but their spirit and dedication to resuming their lives and businesses are inspiring. We want to share with you a couple of stories to show how your contribution has made an impact.

Much like anywhere, the key to reviving these communities was to jump-start its small business sector. Through our partnership with PlaNet Finance and generous donors such NVIDIA and people like you, we have been able to provide financial tools to small business owners, help them re-open their doors, provide jobs within their community and restore badly needed flow of goods and services.

For instance, Ryota Nagashima - a bakery-owner from Minamisanriku, lost everything in the tsunami. While living in a temporary shelter, Mr. Nagashima spotted a bag of donated flour and immediately had an idea to make pancakes for his fellow shelter dwellers. Mr. Nagashima, with support from a Mercy Corps grant, reopened his bakery and hired two full-time positions. Today he is again famous for his creations, and his shop and products have drawn tourists from all over the country.

Then there is the story of Tsutomu Onodera - a former fish merchant whose business, along with the entire fishery infrastructure perished in the tsunami. Driven to help restart this vital product supply chain, Mr. Onodera, with the help of the re-employment grant from NVIDIA started a co-op fresh food market where small vendors gather to sell their produce and fish.

Ryota Nagashima's and Tsutomu Onodera's businesses are two examples of the 219 enterprises that this Mercy Corps program has reached - because of you - totaling over 2,600 people. But most importantly, 100% of the businesses that we have supported are still in business. At this rate, we plan to keep granting to businesses through 2014!

We could not do this long-term rebuilding without donors like you, so thank you! This is the last day to have your donations matched by Global Giving at 100%. Help us double the impact for the people of Japan and the rebuilding of their businesses.

With gratitude,

Carlene Deits

The co-op fresh food market

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Mar 10, 2013
Get your donations matched by 200%!

By Carlene Deits | Project Leader

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