News from the Scout Association of Japan

31 December 2010

3 minutes

It is with great concern that we are following Japan’s situation since Friday March 11th 2011 following the natural disasters that hit the northeast coast of the country.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement contacted the Scout Association of Japan to express our solidarity and ask about the situation of our Scout sisters and brothers.

Below is an extract of the Scout Association of Japan’s answer giving us news from the inside:

The extremely powerful earthquake whose epicentre was beneath the Pacific off the coast of northeast Honshu and the subsequent tsunami caused immense damage and great loss of life.

As you may know, a large area along the eastern seaboard was devastated and the death toll is expected to exceed 10,000. Although the full extent of the destruction has yet to be clarified, extraordinary scenes of devastation are coming to light with every passing day. At present, the national and prefectural governments are endeavouring to rescue victims and support communities, including many thousands of people in temporary accommodation.

The Scout Association of Japan is trying to confirm the safety of Scouts and related people through the prefectural Scout Councils of Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Aomori, the prefectures severely affected by this disaster, and investigating the impact on the prefectural Scout Councils themselves. However, since telecommunications and transportation to and within the affected areas are still limited, we have been able to obtain very little information so far. We are making preparations for the dispatch of volunteers to assist the victims and help restore the affected areas in cooperation with prefectural governments.

International Commissioner of SAJ

The World Scout Bureau is currently working with the Scout Association of Japan to see how we can best assist them. More information will be posted here when it is available.

Organization World Scouting