Japan still works for victory over natural disaster

Evacuees found shelter in schools (Photo: Takeshi Komino/CWS)

The recent FIFA Women’s World Cup victory by Japan once again brought focus on the continuing struggle the country faces as it recovers from March’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdown.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief responded by providing more than $300,000—gifts from caring Canadians—for earthquake relief in Japan, which not only helped fund the work of Christian World Service, a CLWR partner, but also relief work undertaken by Lutheran churches in Japan.

“It was important for Lutheran Church–Canada that we give support to our partner churches who, although very small, wanted to show the love of Christ by helping with the relief effort,” explained Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, LCC’s executive responsible for mission and social ministry.

To focus the Lutheran response, the country’s four main Lutheran groups, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Japan Lutheran Church, Kinki Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the West Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, formed a consortium: Japan Lutheran Emergency Relief (JLER). A July 20 report to CLWR and LCC outlined the relief work undertaken by the organization.

Within three days of the March 11 disaster JLER had established a headquarters and purchased enough food to feed 10,000 people. By June it had received more than C$2.3 million dollars in contributions towards relief efforts, of which it has used more than $684,000. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod provided an initial $200,000 grant toward relief work and in June pledged an additional US$1 million. Ten staff members and many more long-term volunteers are involved in the effort.

Much of the food and other material supplied by JLER supplements the aid provided by other agencies. Non-food supplies from JLER have included personal care items, clothing, portable stoves, and batteries. In one case, the Lutheran organization provided 1500 soccer balls for children whose families lost, or were forced to leave their homes. Other relief supplies have included chest-high waders for crews in flooded areas, and computers and cars for educational and long-term care facilities. JLER has also funded a not-for-profit organization that provides cash to people working to clean up their damaged properties. In addition to providing aid material, a JLER task force is involved with setting up proper counselling support for people living in evacuation centres.

Rev. Sumiyuki Watanabe, president of JLER is pleased with the support they have received so far from Lutherans around the world. “The spontaneous support extended [to us] has provided us strength and guidance to proceed further for extending needed support and to rebuild the life of the affected communities in Japan,” he said.

“We look to the relief efforts with our hearts filled with thanks and praises to our Lord God for His loving and compassionate actions through the kindness of His people,” Dr. Neitzel said. “We thank LCC members, congregations and organizations for these signs of faith active through love.”

CLWR has produced a short video showing relief donations at work in Japan.  To view the video, go to the CLWR website: www.clwr.org

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