Noto Japan Earthquake NGO Disaster Relief Support

Mikki T is organizing this fundraiser.

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ONE MONTH INTO M7.6 EARTHQUAKE - Shelter-living with no end in sight.

Watch your donations drive IMMEDIATE IMPACT at ground-zero.

We're reaching out to you with a crucial initiative. Noto, a region in Japan known for its cultural richness, has been hit hard by a devastating earthquake on Jan 1, 2024. Families are grappling with the aftermath, currently over 14,000 residents are still living in shelters (school gyms with floor mats and cardboard partitions), with no certain dates on when they will be able to resettle to a safe new home. Not all places have sufficient funds and hands to provide cooked meals for such long-term stay and many eventually resort to providing processed food like cup ramen and bread. And some survivors have to be moved around to other temporary shelters, adding further anxiety to already distressed people. Temporary housing is being built and only about 400 units have been completed at time of writing.

Survey now revealed over 35% of the buildings were "completely destroyed" in the region. The total number of "completely destroyed" and "partially destroyed" tallied to be over 21,000 dwellings. (Feb 5, 2024 Kyodo News).

The massive quake has also changed the region's coastal geography where the sea bed rose few meters high. The once-thriving fishery industry is destroyed where boats can no longer docked. 400-year-old craft-salt farm could not pump sea water to make salt, and the most reputable lacquer craft industry ceased when century-old workshops collapsed with artisans' tools and craft work buried and damaged.

STRATEGIC FOCUS: long-term rebuilding effort

Our focus is on longer-term work that is crucial in the revival of the region, when publicity and attention starts to fade after the initial weeks of the catastrophe. We are designating the donations to support NGO Open Japan, where funds will immediately be put into action ON THE GROUND, EVERYDAY, AT NOTO for the months to come.

As first responders and emergency rescue teams left, surveyors, NPO and NGO are still stationed in the region. Noto has begun its long journey of reconstruction. Open Japan, an NGO with a proven track record in disaster relief, is on the ground addressing immediate needs since Jan 2nd, the day after the massive quake hit.

At the current stage, your financial support is pivotal in enabling the Open Japan team to execute their day-to-day operations. From clearing roads and collapse homes to servicing shelters with warm food and supplies, your contributions will play a direct role in alleviating the pressing challenges faced by the affected communities.

Substantial first step of rebuilding Noto: Clearing roads and debris are huge and laborous tasks requiring professional personnel operating heavy equipment. Currently, Open Japan's machinery team, along with other NGO and the municipality is clearing debris. Crawler and dozers are mobilized. With the scale of damages and small teams, long term support is important in sustaining this volume of work.

Cultural Revitalization

The next phase of our campaign is to support revitalization of important craft history. Collaborating with craft artisans to feature their heritage craft history and works, we will use a portion the fund to kick-start promotion projects to help reset craft workshops and business. Livelihood is lost for many artisans at the moment. While they are dealing with the stress of sheltering and grieving lost ones, we will start planning overseas craft market promotion where they can look forward to rebuilding their craft business and regain their livelihood. (more details to come on this phase, follow us to get project updates).

CALLING FOR YOUR SUPPORT: Be part of this journey of resilience.

Noto holds significant cultural value, we are urgently calling for collective effort to aid in its recovery. By participating in our campaign, you become an integral part of rebuilding this resilient community. The funds raised will be utilized promptly and efficiently to assist Open Japan in their ongoing relief efforts for months to come.

Breaking barrier in distance and Japanese language, you can have visibility of progress at Noto Peninsula.

Open Japan's Disaster Relief work is made possible by individual donations and some corporate sponsorship. The core team is compact and agile, that's how they can respond and mobilize in speed and collaborate with first responders on scene during typhoons and earthquakes. Most members are trained in demolition and construction. This initiative is to help widen their fundraising capability to overseas supporters who cannot navigate through Japanese language donation sites or are seeking to give directly to reliable organizations in Japan. If capable, donating directly to Open Japan's Yahoo Japan Fundraising site is welcomed (Japanese language only, Japan bank transactions only). Link at the bottom of this page. Some countries may not be able to access Yahoo Japan site. That's why we set up this fundraiser.

Your consideration and contribution are greatly appreciated. We invite you to stand with us in supporting Open Japan's disaster relief work and making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

Please follow our web site and read weekly update blogs to see the real actions and progress in disaster relief works, read about Open Japan, and our social-responsible works in Japan.

With your help to rebuild, we can show you the beautiful coastal town of Noto peninsula when you visit Japan in the future.