Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund

The Eastern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund was established to contribute to the provision of financial support for victims of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

We are primarily supporting local NPOs on the ground. This project will also disburse funds to NPOs that are providing shelters and services in Hokkaido for the victims.

Who we support (as of Dec. 12, 2011):

We are offering financial assistance to the nonprofits listed below to support their activity providing relief services for the people and communities affected:

• NPOs in Hokkaido that take the lead to provide support in the afflicted area
• NPOs in Hokkaido that offer places for victims of the earthquake to stay
• Local nonprofits in Iwate or Miyagi who coordinate support services

• Morino Dengonban YURURU (Sendai, Miyagi)

Yururu is supporting post-quake recovery in the areas affected that are facing the challenges in the aftermath of the disaster, of providing consultation on relief activities and financial plans to nonprofits, and mental care services to the victims.

• Taisetsu River Net　(Hokkaido)

River Net, which usually engages in projects for proper utilization of rivers and disaster relief works in Hokkaido, is now providing support to communities in Yamada city, Iwate, which was hit hard by the earthquake.

• NEOS (Hokkaido)

NEOS is building bridges between farm villages and urban cities to create community networks by developing human resources and providing consulting services. NEOS also established its own volunteer-center in Kamaishi city, Miyagi, after the earthquake to continue providing support for afflicted people in the disaster area.

• Hokkaido Hisaisha Ukeire-Shien Network (Hokkaido)

This network provides the information needed the most to people who have been thinking of moving to Hokkaido since the earthquake to start new life in new environment. The information includes what kind of support or jobs they can get in Hokkaido as well as how long they can stay.

• Hokkaido Book Sharing (Sapporo, Hokkaido)

Hokkaido Book Sharing usually collects used books from individuals, groups, or private companies, and sends the books for free to schools, nurseries, and children's institutions. After the earthquake they established a book center in Ishinomaki city, Miyagi, to continue providing book services to children in the disaster area.

• Neighbors (Sapporo, Hokkaido)

Neighbors was established with the initial aim of providing support to persons with disabilities and seniors in developing countries, and to people who have difficulty in living in Japan. Since the disaster, Neighbors has been making a documentary film interviewing people in Fukushima in April- May and in September. The film will premier in Sapporo in February, 2012.

• Hisaisha Shien Network KUSHIRO (Kushiro, Hokkaido)

This network was established in April 2011 to provide support to expectant mothers and children who were forced to flee their homes to a place of safety from the risk of radiation spread from the Nuclear Power Plant in Fukushima. This network provides information on those who are willing to offer places to stay in Kushiro city, Hokkaido.

• Hakodate Musubiba (Hakodate, Hokkaido)

Musubiba was established in May 2011 to provide support to people affected by the disaster. With their support, 58 people from Fukushima stayed in Hakodate city during summer vacation in 2011. Musubiba now creates networks among the people who remain in Hakodate.

• Hisaichi no Kodomotachi he Ehon wo Okuro! Hakodate Project (Hakodate, Hokkaido)

This project makes calls via the Internet to collect old books from individuals all around Japan, and sends them for free to children in the affected area in Tohoku.

• YaReRuKoTo Working Committee (Otaru, Hokkaido)

This committee was established to provide support to people who are affected by the earthquake, aiming at helping community recovery by sending relief products according to everyday needs.