01
Mar 2024

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2 Months On: Continuing support for the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture

Two months have now passed since the January 1, 2024 earthquake which struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. We convey our condolences to all those affected. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) entered the area immediately after the disaster, and has since been working together with local organisations, relevant agencies and relief groups to gather information and carry out relief activities. Timeline following the Disaster January 2: PBV dispatches several staff to the area January 3: Launch of provision of hot meals and distribution of relief goods January 4: Distribution of relief goods January 5: Provision of hot meals Please see this report for details on initial activities carried […]

11
Mar 2022

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11 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: Communicating and Listening

11 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami On this day we remember those whose lives were lost, and consider the journey taken by the people of the Tohoku region since the disaster. It is very difficult to find words to write on such a day. This is because we are here today upon the accumulation of the many days since the disaster, and will continue again tomorrow and beyond. We feel like we are reminded by long-term partners in the city of Ishinomaki not to just take “311” as this one particular day. The Minamihama and Kadonowaki areas of Ishinomaki, which were hit hardest numerous times by […]

08
Mar 2022

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All for Ukraine: Street Fundraising Campaign Launched!

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) set up an emergency relief fund last week to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. Together with NGO Peace Boat, we have started a fundraising campaign for a Romania-based NGO, Peace Action Training and Research Institute of Romania (PATRIR), which has been tirelessly providing support to refugees from Ukraine and coordinating humanitarian assistance in Romania since the beginning of the crisis. NGO Peace Boat has regional centers in five different cities across Japan, and each center is hosting street fundraising campaigns to support the PATRIR’s humanitarian programs. The first to kick-off the program was Peace Boat Center Fukuoka, located in the largest city […]

06
Dec 2021

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Visiting the Honjo Life Safety Learning Center

Have you ever experienced an earthquake, flood, or fire? According to JMA (the Meteorological Agency of Japan), approximately 2000 earthquakes occur in Japan every year, though many of them are benign shakes. This week, earthquakes have been occurring more frequently with more intensity. While natural disasters are here to stay, we can prepare for them together. On Sunday, November 28th, we visited the Honjo Life Safety Learning Center near Kinshicho Station, which is close to popular tourist attractions such as Ryogoku Sumo Hall and Tokyo Sky Tree.  This trip began with a 20-minute animated movie about three kids who experience an earthquake in Japan. The subtitles were available in English, […]

18
Nov 2021

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Support for Communities Affected by 2019 Typhoons Continues in Chiba

The longer it takes after the disaster, the more complex and challenging cases are found in terms of support. Communities in the southern part of Chiba Prefecture, Japan were hit hard by typhoons Faxai and Hagibis in 2019. The PBV team has been working closely with the local support groups and public sectors to continue the relief efforts. The house we visited today with the local Social Welfare Council members was assessed as half destroyed. Despite the emergency repair system being applied and a sum of JPY 595,000 being granted, the amount was not sufficient enough to cover all of the repair costs. Consequently, the roof remained partially unrepaired for […]

04
Aug 2021

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Photo courtesy of Peace Boat

One year since the oil spill disaster in Mauritius: Interview with EPCO – Part Two

M/V Wakashio, a bulk vessel owned and operated by a Japanese company went aground on the south-eastern coast of Mauritius in late July 2020. Ten days later, the ship started spilling oil causing environmental pollution to the sea and coastal areas. At the beginning of August, the Mauritian government declared a state of environmental emergency and called for support from the international community. Immediately after the news, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started contacting the Mauritius-based NGOs responding to the emergency, and launched an emergency fund to support their activities. More than 8,500 individuals and organizations in Japan responded to the PBV’s call for donations. We truly appreciate the heartfelt […]

30
Jul 2021

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One year since the oil spill disaster in Mauritius: Interview with EPCO – Part One

In July 2020, M/V Wakashio, a bulk vessel owned and operated by a Japanese company went aground on the south-eastern coast of Mauritius. Ten days later, the ship started spilling oil causing environmental pollution to the sea and coastal areas. The Mauritian government declared a state of environmental emergency and called for support from the international community. Immediately after hearing the news, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started contacting the Mauritius-based NGOs responding to the emergency and launched an emergency fund to support their activities. One of the NGOs which PBV contacted and has been supporting is the Environmental Protection and Conservation Organization (EPCO). In early July, we had an […]

21
Jun 2021

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Update on Mauritius Oil Spill Emergency Relief: a video message from EPCO

Support to the affected communities continue Following the oil spill disaster caused by grounded MV Wakashio off Mauritius in August 2020, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) launched an emergency relief fund to support local NGOs working for environmental recovery and assistance to the communities affected by the disaster. More than 8,500 individuals and organizations in Japan responded to the call for donation and made contribution to the fund. One of the organizations PBV has supported is a Mauritius-based NGO, Environmental Protection and Conservation Organization (EPCO) has implemented a year-long project to support communities in 17 villages along the south-eastern coast of the Mauritius island. The project aims to offer the […]

12
Mar 2021

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Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

March 11, 2021 marks ten years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) and Peace Boat offer our prayers to those who lost their lives in the disaster. We would also like to express our sympathy to the bereaved families and to all those who are still in challenging situations. Ten years ago, immediately after the earthquake, Peace Boat entered Ishinomaki and Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture and worked with many volunteers from Japan and abroad for the coming months and years. Although we went to the affected areas to help, we were greatly encouraged and heartened by the local people who accepted us. Videographer […]

19
Jan 2021

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Update: Relief efforts in Kumamoto continue

Evacuation Center Support for Kuma-mura residents The torrential rains and severe floods hit Kumamoto Prefecture in July 2020. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started logistics support to the relief organizations based in Kumamoto and neighboring prefectures immediately after the disaster. In response to the request from the prefectural government of Kumamoto and local government of Kuma-mura, YMCA Kumamoto and PBV provided operational support at the evacuation shelter for the residents affected by the disaster. PBV team and YMCA Kumamoto had been supporting the residents at the Former Taragi High School evacuation center from mid-August to the end of October when the center was closed. It was the first time for […]

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