11 Years Since the 3.11 Tohoku Earthquake

March 11, 2022

 

March 11 marks the 11th anniversary of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, which left over 18,000 people dead or unaccounted for. The massive tsunami that engulfed coastal towns and the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant were truly unimaginable catastrophes.

 

At that time, Ashinaga made an immediate decision to provide a “special lump-sum grant” to orphaned children to ensure their wellbeing. Ashinaga Scholars, volunteers, and staff members traveled to the affected areas, and donations collected from all over the world were delivered to 2,083 orphaned children.

 

Subsequently, Rainbow House, an emotional support facility for children orphaned by the tsunami, was established in Sendai, Ishinomaki, and Rikuzentakata. Ashinaga staff members have remained in the affected areas and have continued to care for the children by applying the “Ashinaga Method” of emotional care, which was developed after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. On March 11 this year, an event will be held at each Rainbow House for the children to think about their loved ones and talk with each other.

 

Eleven years have passed since 3.11. We are once again witnessing an unimaginable tragedy, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Although the situation in the region is uncertain, many children will lose their parents in the war.

 

The Ashinaga Movement, which supports orphaned students, has set a goal of solidarity with children in the same circumstances around the world. Our hearts and minds are with the children who have and will be affected by this tragic event.

 

President of Ashinaga

Yoshiomi Tamai

 

To learn more about how Ashinaga responded to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, follow this link.