In just three decades after World War II, Japan rose to become a major economic power. Even with the cessation of rapid growth in the 1990s, Japan has remained a leading force in the global economy. In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape , the island nation faces the demographic demands of an aging population (24% over the age of 65, a life expectancy of nearly 84) and continuing urbanization (67% living in urban areas).

The earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 brought unimaginable death and destruction. The severe damage to several nuclear power plants added another horrific dimension to the challenge of disaster response and recovery. As the government struggled to manage the threat from the damage nuclear reactors and mount search and rescue operations, it faced the daunting task of identifying and meeting the critical needs of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons:

• Access to primary health care and basic services for a predominantly elderly population
• Counseling and trauma support for survivors
• Services for the disabled

Our Work:

Even without a prior presence in Japan, AmeriCares was on the ground immediately after the disaster, assessing needs, arranging for emergency medical supplies and developing response plans. Working with local NGOs, we established a field office in Sendai to identify survivor needs. We developed high impact programs with our partners that focus on psychosocial support for survivors, filling gaps in health care and innovative projects that reconnect people to communities during the cleanup and rebuilding process.

The sheer scale of the 2011 disaster exceeded the capacity of any nation, rich or poor, to respond to all the needs of so many survivors in communities that had basically been obliterated. Many thousands of people, whose families had lived and worked in the region for generations saw their history, community, families, livelihoods wiped away in seconds.

Within the first year after the worst natural disaster to ever strike Japan, AmeriCares delivered $3.2 million in emergency aid and grants to help survivors recover and move forward. Partnering with local NGOs, we provided:

• Relief supplies, including medicines, water, and personal care items for survivors
• Counseling support for survivors struggling with trauma and loss
• Construction of dental clinics to replace health services destroyed by disaster
• Services for people with disabilities

Our team has established its base in the disaster zone - one of the few international relief organizations with a recognized and long term presence in Japan. As the country faces a rebuilding process of many years, our daily contact with survivors provides us a keen insight into their needs.

The generous response of our donors and the strength of our partnerships allow us to implement sustainable programs that help survivors reclaim and rebuild their lives.

Read more about our Japan recovery work