Dear Friend,
You've likely seen the horrifying images of the massive tsunami that swept across Japan's eastern coast after Friday's 9.0-magnitude earthquake. Rescuers are still working to reach the hardest hit areas, but already the death toll has risen dramatically and authorities fear it could surpass 10,000 people. Thousands more are missing or injured, while at least 340,000 people were evacuated as their villages washed away.
World Vision staff members have arrived in Sendai - near the epicenter of the quake - and are beginning to distribute relief supplies. Additional disaster response experts are on their way to assist in assessing and responding to the most urgent needs. As in any disaster, the needs of young children are our highest priority.
"We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country's history. We will have so many challenges as we plan to conduct a relief operation to help respond to the needs of the affected children who are most vulnerable during this time," said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision's Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager. |
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