ShelterBox responding to Japanese earthquake and tsunami

You would wish to know that ShelterBox is standing by to assist in Japan in whatever way it can.

The latest reports from Japan state that more than 560,000 people have been made homeless by the two-pronged disaster with the need for emergency shelter being the top priority.

ShelterBox were on the ground in Japan within less than 24 hours after the earthquake struck. The hugely-experienced ShelterBox Response Team (SRT), consisting of Mark Pearson (UK), Lasse Petersen (AU), John Diksa (FR) and David Eby (US), are now working with authorities to assess the areas of most need. 

The attached media release is the latest information about our response in Japan. The information is broken down into the facts and the details of our response. As with all these events, information is changing all the time. 

Our SRT team consisting of, John Diksa and David Eby will initially be based in Tokyo dealing with logistics while Mark Pearson and Lasse Petersen are travelling north and expect to be in Sendai today.  We have been given free freight for up to 1,000 boxes by Virgin Atlantic and have prepositioned boxes, UK boxes and tents in China on standby ready to move.

At this stage we are in the position to commit up to 5,000 boxes should they be required. We are initially moving 200 boxes into Tokyo throughout this week and will be moving 200 tents from China. The Japanese government have not yet requested any international assistance for the provision of emergency shelter but have put great value in international NGOs operating autonomously and self-sufficiently in the country.

I will keep you updated whenever significant changes occur. 

Mike Cahill

A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) is mobilising after a massive earthquake struck Japan earlier today. The earthquake, measuring 8.9 in magnitude, triggered a tsunami that’s caused extensive damage.

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