Japan Update 2
17/03/2011 9:35 pm
From Wolfgang Langhans, OMF International Japan Field Director
Public Statement from OMF International Japan 17 March 2011
OMF International Japan has approximately 100 members presently in Japan. At the time of the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake approximately 15 members were based in Tohoku and 40 in Kanto (around Tokyo).
In immediate response to the earthquake and tsunami, a Crisis Team, lead by the Field Director, was formed to provide advice and leadership to our members. Members of the team, including the Medical Advisor and Field Nurse have contacted all OMF International members in Japan to ensure they are safe and well. Although many of our members are shaken, to date no physical injuries or other problems have been identified.
Three OMF International families were based in Sendai at the time of the earthquake. One family was away from the area at the time and we have made contact with other two and have confirmed they are safe and well.
There were two short-term workers in the Tohoku area at the time of the earthquake. They are safe and well. One has already left Japan. The other is with a missionary team and may stay on to assist with relief work.
OMF International Japan is concerned about the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. On 15 March we issued advice to all our members offering assistance should they wish to evacuate. At that time our advice was that evacuation was a personal decision. So far seven members and ten children have left, or will shortly leave, the Kanto and Tohoku areas. Our Crisis Team is monitoring the situation closely and reviewing its advice to the Field daily.
OMF International Japan is committed to assisting however we can with relief and recovery work in the Tohoku area. We have allied ourselves with the Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope network (CRASH, crashjapan.com) and are working with them to find ways our members can go to help or otherwise support the relief work. The first trucks left this morning to establish a base and deliver materials to Tohoku.
The Sendai Earthquake Relief Fund, an OMF International Japan project, has been created to channel funds for earthquake relief work. Anyone wishing to contribute to this project may do so HERE.
Please pray:
- Pray for all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. It is estimated that over 12,000 have died or are missing and 450,000 are in temporary evacuation centers mostly with little or no heat, water or food. The weather has deteriorated and there have been snow falls.
- The activity at the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor is causing a great deal of concern and anxiety. Pray that problems there will not escalate but will be brought under control soon. Pray for wisdom as people respond.
- Pray for continuing rescue efforts and for good co-ordination of groups involved. Access to the many miles of coastline affected is difficult with road and rail networks destroyed and there are shortages of fuel.
- Praise that CRASH (Christian Relief Assistance Support and Hope - crashjapan.com ) is gradually making progress. Two trucks with personnel and supplies left for Sendai on Thursday 17th to set up the first base. People are scouting potential areas where CRASH could be involved. Pray for churches that they can work with to set up and man local bases. Praise for many who are volunteering to help both within Japan and around the world.
- Pray for the OMF International Crisis Management Team meeting daily, that they will discern the overall situation well and advise wisely.
- Pray that as Japan has been literally shaken, so it will spiritually be shaken to turn to the God who weeps with those who weep, who is the God of all comfort, who reaches out in this tragedy to draw people to himself. Pray for Christians to be bold in speaking for him and confident in living in Him in these uncertain days.
