14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Passing the Torch from “Never Give Up, Ishinomaki” to “Building Hope in Noto”
It has been 14 years since the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in Great East Japan Earthquake, and we pray for the repose of their souls.
Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been working alongside the recovery and reconstruction efforts in Tohoku.
On March 17th, 2011, shortly after the disaster, we arrived in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. We were left speechless by the heartbreaking scene that lay before us. Nevertheless, we worked hard to address the issues at hand, such as providing food and supplies, supporting evacuation centers, and cleaning up houses, in cooperation with residents, related organizations, and support groups, with the thought that “there might be something we can do”.
As the damage was so extensive, requiring long-term support, we decided to establish the Peace Boat Disaster Relief (at the time, the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center), a General Incorporated Association specializing in disaster relief.
In Tohoku, we gradually developed systems and structures from scratch, and over five years, we worked with approximately 87,000 volunteers. Among the many volunteers who participated, those involved in the medium- to long-term played an active role as volunteer leaders.
After that, they rushed to the scene of each major disaster, including the Kanto-Tohoku Floods (2015), the Kumamoto Earthquake (2016), the Northern Kyushu Floods (2017), and the Western Japan Floods (2018), and supported the relief activities on the ground.
Then, in January 2024, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred. In the difficult situation of a peninsula in Hokuriku in winter, people involved in support activities in Tohoku took turns going to the area to provide support. From Ishinomaki, “Sakura Mochi (cherry blossom rice cakes)” were delivered to children who were graduating in March, and many messages of support were sent from Tohoku to Noto.
From “Never give up, Ishinomaki” to “Building hope in Noto”.
We will continue to walk together with the people of the disaster areas.