01
Dec 2020

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Giving Tuesday 2020

What’s your plan for this year’s Giving Tuesday? The year 2020 has been an unusual one; many of us have spent most of the time at home globally. Many had to give up excitement and entertainment like meeting with loved ones, social gathering, international travels and seasonal festivals to keep social distancing. While many of us go through the challenging time, there are people who are in even tougher situations, such as in disaster affected areas. The hardship forced the humanitarian organizations including PBV to reconsider the ways to support those in need, but our tireless efforts have not been interrupted by the pandemic. Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity […]

20
Nov 2020

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Update: Mauritius Oil Spill Emergency Relief

Long-term support needed for a full recovery In July 2020, MV Wakashio, a ship owned and operated by Japanese companies, ran aground on a coral reef south east of Mauritius. The heavy oil in the ship started  leaking out to sea on August 6th, 2020 and the ship was broken into two pieces by mid-August. The incident caused enormous damage to the environment and livelihood of the coastal communities. At the end of August, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) launched an emergency relief fund and called for donations to support local organizations working for environmental recovery and community reconstruction. As mentioned in our previous post, we have been in touch […]

31
Aug 2020

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Call for donations: Mauritius Oil Spill Emergency Relief Fund

Environmental Emergency On July 25th, the Wakashio, a cargo ship owned and operated by a Japanese company, ran aground in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Pointe d’Esny in southeastern Mauritius. The accident caused fuel from the ship to begin leaking out into the surrounding coral reefs on August 6th, resulting in over 1000 tons of oil polluting the nearby waters and coast lines. The Mauritius government has declared a ‘state of environmental emergency.’ It is believed that the impact this incident will have on the ecosystem will last for decades, and that long-term relief efforts will be necessary for the environmental recovery. Apart from the main island of […]

26
Aug 2020

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[Torrential Rain in July 2020] PBV launches relief efforts in Kuma-mura, Kumamoto Prefecture

Heavy rains throughout almost the entire month of July caused profound damage to communities in Kumamoto prefecture. In Kuma-mura, one of the worst hit areas, many residents are still residing in an evacuation shelter. In order to fulfill the needs for emergency response, the prefectural government of Kumamoto and local government of Kuma-mura requested YMCA Kumamoto and Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) for operational support at the evacuation shelter. After several meetings and discussions with the local authorities and YMCA Kumamoto, PBV decided to dispatch staff members to respond to the request. Since April this year, PBV has prepared our staff for emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dispatched […]

24
Aug 2020

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We are now on the Alaya platform: Corporate donations and volunteering made easy!

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) is excited to announce that we have joined Alaya, a digital platform that helps companies engage employees and make an impact on today’s social and environmental challenges. Read on to find out how it works! Connecting companies and nonprofits The platform offers easy-to-process information about a variety of nonprofits, facilitates      donations and volunteering, and tracks employee participation. With all of these benefits for businesses, registered nonprofit organizations, including PBV, stand to gain even more. We are thrilled to connect with the world’s leading companies in Alaya’s growing network. Branching out into the new philanthropy network As an expert organization on disaster relief, we have organized […]

20
Aug 2020

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Typhoon Hagibis: Helping Iwaki community get back on its feet

Disaster relief efforts in Iwaki, Fukushima have been ongoing after the damage caused by the 2019 Typhoon Hagibis. From January of 2020, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been working towards reviving the disaster-affected community by providing supplies to local community centers. We hope that the supplies can be useful and help the community get back on its feet. However, due the COVID-19 pandemic, activities for community spaces that we planned on passing on to local organizations were halted as people were unable to assemble at community centers. The city of Iwaki endured the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, and now has once again been struck by Typhoon Hagibis. […]

11
Aug 2020

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Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis: Local volunteers take the lead for full recovery of Chiba communities

When was the last time you spent the night under canvas? After Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis in September and October 2019, residents remain in need of help. Many still spend nights under damaged roofs in southern Chiba, waiting for repairs by professional carpenters.   Successful workshops Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) co-hosted training workshops for local volunteers along with our partners at the Southern Chiba Disaster Relief Center. During the one-day training, participants learned key roofing safety measures, methods to cover the damaged roofs with tarpaulins, as well as how to support work on ground. Each workshop limits the number of participants to allow full attention to safety control among […]

14
Jul 2020

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July 2020 Torrential Rains: PBV’s Relief Projects Launched

Record-breaking downpours since July 3rd 2020 have caused devastating and widespread damage throughout Japan, including the Kyushu region. Flooding and landslides have been reported and it is likely that more time will be required to grasp the entire scope of the damages. Please stay safe as heavy rains are still ongoing in some regions. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been concerned about the combination of a natural disaster with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the residents affected by the widespread disaster have been facing enormous challenges. PBV is implementing relief projects with Kyushu-based organizations with whom we have collaborated in past relief efforts. As an initial response, hygiene and […]

09
Jul 2020

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Call for Donations: Emergency Relief for Torrential Rains and Flooding in Kyushu 2020

Since July 3, 2020, record torrential rains have continued mainly in Kumamoto and other prefectures in Kyushu. Heavy rain emergency warnings have been issued in several prefectures in southern and western parts of the Japanese archipelago. The rains have been causing large-scale flood damage and landslides in many parts of the affected regions. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been in close communication (via online) with Kumamoto Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (KVOAD), Kumamoto Prefectural Council of Social Welfare, Japan Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (JVOAD) and other relief agencies to gather information of the damage situations and updates on the ongoing relief efforts. Due to the risk of COVID-19 […]

05
Jul 2020

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Call for Donations: Emergency Fund for Disaster Relief Programs amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Summer in Japan is the season when rain and storm-related disasters frequently occur across the country, including flooding, land slides and strong winds. Your help is needed to continue ongoing efforts and aid Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) in delivering new programs. COVID-19 adds a new threat to this already dangerous season as affected areas may be at greater risk of contracting the disease. During this difficult time, PBV continues the ongoing relief activities and prepares for the future disasters while implementing preventive measures against contagions. PBV has launched an emergency fund to support disaster response while continuing ongoing projects in communities affected by typhoons last year. We are indeed […]