Dear all

Thank you very much for your prompt response and prayers for us from all over the world.

A week has past since the earthquake happened on March 11th. Over 6,000 people were killed and 17,000 people are missing. 400,000 people have evacuated. Because of the accident of power station caused by earthquake, many people also have been evacuated from the affected area. The temperature goes below its freezing point in the affected area, but the lifeline has not recovered yet.

The distribution of relief supplies has not gone well because of the interrupted road in the affected area and lack of gas for cars. Many factories also don't work in the affected area. Although we formed a special task force in Tokyo , the work has been disrupted often because of continuing aftershock and blackout. We sent a general secretary of Kyoto YMCA to the affected area on 14th -15th, and we had an emergency meeting with local YMCA's general secretaries to discuss the future plan on 16th.

Japan YMCA will send two directors who had experience of emergency relief on March 19th, and they will bring relief supplies and discuss the future plan with the staffs in the affected area.

Sendai YMCA in the most affected area has accepted the refugees at school and provided meals in the yard of their school right after earthquake. Other YMCAs also have accepted the refugee from the area affected by accident of power station, supported the people at public building, and provided recreation for children. YMCAs in Japan unite together to raise the fund and to overcome this tragedy.

We thank all again and especially to the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs for all the coordination, and we appreciate continuous support and solidarity.

Shigeru Shimada, General Secretary

The National Council of YMCAs of Japan