Building Sustainable Disaster Recovery Programs for the Long Term in Japan

Greetings from Japan! Over the last few weeks, I have met with over 20 different local partners to see the status of past and present projects that AmeriCares has supported since the triple disaster in 2011. The resounding message has been that AmeriCares provided help at crucial points in the post-emergency period. The work of these community-based groups and organizations is truly transformative in the recovery process.

During the emergency period after the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear disaster, many aid organizations were on hand with support. But by 2012, most were gone, as is often the case in major disasters. AmeriCares, however, was still there, targeting resources for local projects that could provide important services at key points in the recovery.

From our three decades of work responding to disasters, we know that the strength and effectiveness of recovery efforts can be measured in the evidence of program sustainability – how it has been woven into the fabric of the community to serve people in need. Now, in 2015, many of our local partners in Japan are receiving government or Japan-based donor support thanks to the effectiveness of their work during the period of AmeriCares help for their projects.  And today the programs and partners thrive.

Here’s a sample of highlights from my journey:

• Garden projects in Fukushima, Rikuzentakata, and Watari are providing healing for survivors and restoring a sense of community. Participants were very proud to share the summer’s bounty of vegetables and flowers. I will now call the Kawamata temporary housing bloc, “Eggplant Forest.”
• Group Home Momiji’s male members with disabilities are one big happy family again, thanks to their permanent home that we supported in 2012. Everyone was healthy and the rooms were full of laughter.
• Kesennuma Volunteer Station is counseling the elderly on the process of moving into permanent housing – a helping hand makes it easier.
• Koko Kara Happy staff had sore legs from climbing Mt. Fuji with children from Fukushima.
• Kosodate Ship is set to move into their new, larger facility for new mother support. (And they won the battle to have lots of windows!)
• Peace Boat is continuing to do disaster risk reduction workshops throughout the region – preparation for future disasters is an important part of recovery.
• Rio Grande’s Okawa Elementary School disaster survivors are enjoying camping this summer; they are having the “normal” life that they deserve.

The list of local groups and organizations and their incredible achievements goes on and on!  As you go through your day, take a moment to know that the road to recovery from Japan’s triple disaster runs through the courage and commitment of local communities and their ability to identify and meet their unique needs. Your support of these efforts makes this journey possible.