Japan: Supplying Hope
Samaritan's Purse continues to distribute aid to survivors of the earthquake and tsunami...
A Samaritan's Purse disaster response team is in Sendai, the city nearest the epicenter of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeastern coast of Japan on March 11.
We continue to distribute emergency supplies and so far, we have given out over 10,000 hygiene kits, thousands of blankets, socks, jerry cans, and bars of soap, and hundreds of rolls of plastic, buckets, and boots. We have helped hungry families by supplying bags of rice and boxes of milk.
We either distribute to the government run shelters, directly to beneficiaries or set up distribution points in churches or community centres where people can come and collect the items.
Transportation however remains a huge issue in the coastal communities around Sendai. Many cars were destroyed, and the lack of fuel compounds the problem of how to get around. Samaritan's Purse has responded to this need by purchasing 30 bicycles to help with transportation needs.
See video of UK team member, Ralph Springett in Sendai (below)
Pastor Cubano (below), a Japanese Christian and SP partner in Ishinomaki, was extremely thankful to get 10 bikes to give out to the most needy in his community.
"Right now there's no fuel," he said. "That's why for transport, bicycle is the best."
Samaritan's Purse President Franklin Graham spent two days in Japan, viewing areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami, meeting with church partners in Sendai and Tokyo, and working with our staff.
Graham expressed his sympathy for the people of Japan, and pledged to continue to give aid in the Name of Christ. "We are here to stand by you for as long as you need us to help your people recover," he said.
Evidence of that support came during a visit to Ishinomaki. Graham met with Masao Kanaya, pastor of Ishinominato Church and one of our partners in the hard-hit coastal community.
Samaritan's Purse presented Pastor Kanaya with a truck that he can use to deliver supplies as he ministers in Ishinomaki and nearby communities. In the bed of the truck was a mud-out kit that included a generator, power washer, shovel, and other items that will be a tremendous help in cleaning up flood-damaged homes.
"I'm so thankful for Samaritan's Purse and all that you have done," Pastor Kanaya
To date Samaritan's Purse UK has sent over £75,000 to help with the emergency relief in Japan.
If you would like to receive regular updates from our team in Japan please follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/samspurseuk
WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Pray:
- That God would provide peace and comfort to the suffering people of Japan.
- That emergency relief supplies would quickly get to the people who need them most.
- For wisdom and strength for our church partners - Christians number less than half a percent of Japan's population, according to some estimates.
- For our team’s safety as they travel to the area.
Give:
Please consider giving to our emergency relief fund, so that we can respond to the emergency in Japan and others around the world.
Download our PowerPoint presentation to help your church congregation remember the people of Japan and respond to this disaster.
