Another Report from Japan

Our friend and customer Shizuko has sent us another report of what is happening in Japan. Thank you Shizuko!!

***

I thought I would summarize below what I saw through papers and TV during
the day as these might help you plan and organize
your Quilts Japan Project. So, my report is not orderly. Comments by
affected people are from different evacuation centers as
I was unable to take down different names.

In addition to the earthquake and tsunami, the blasts at nuclear
power-generating plants added further concern. As you know,
President Obana phoned PM Kan for the second time since the incident and
extended further assistance from your country, i.e. to dispatch
some nuclear power specialists in addition to the troops that are already at
the cite. He further offered their assistance for a medium-long term basis.

Now at different evacuation centers:
– A nurse has been working practically non-stop like other medical
professionals and she has been unable to go and find her father.
– There are people taking shelters at private houses as they can’t go to
evacuation centers due mainly to the lack of gasoline.
– At evacuation centers, stoves are only used at night due to the lack of
heating oil.
– PET bottles filled with hot water are used as hot-water bottles for the
elderly.

– Government says relief supplies started to arrive from people all over the
country. However, there are no staff to sort things out and deliver them
yet and asking
individual donations are delivered to a support center in one’s prefecture.
Money donation is most welcomed at this time. As I said earlier, many
supply goods are arriving
from different manufacturers, eg. blanket manufacturers etc.

– A Chinese girl was asking for assistance in her language.
– Another woman who lost her identification was asking legal assistance.

– A lovely looking couple was interviewed. She had a backpack; among them
besides basic evacuation goods, she had a small box of needles, buttons, and
thread,
for just in case. Her husband had worked at a desaster prevention center
and she had learned from his work. They both said they cannot go feeling
sorry
and will start again.

– One week has passed, a professional says it is obvious that children
require special attention on mental care. Some started to show the symptoms
of PTSD.

– In some areas, it snowed today. A woman was gathering the snow into a
garbage bag in order to use it for toilet.
– There are some areas still isolated.
– a man calls for getting communication means in case of medical crisis.

– A doctor at Red Cross Hospital says that they are facing limit of its
operation, due to the lack of oxyten, drip infusion, surgical instrument,
etc. , that means the death
of patients.
– Home visit nursing care has been stopped due to the lack of gasoline.
– A staff calls for food, water, medicine… as well as manpower.

Courageously,
– An elderly woman says hearing the voice of “Are you OK” gives her strength
to live.
– Another says she feels lucky to be served a warm soup – gives her feeling
that they are cared and gives her strength.

Thank you for reading this rather lengthy report.

Arigato
Shizuko