Dignity for All: Building a Culture of Human Rights
October 2008
Banner photo: © Carr Clifton
Earthquake Relief Efforts
Packing relief goods
[© Seikyo Shimbun]
A massive earthquake struck the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan on June 14, leaving more than 10 people dead and over 440 injured. The Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake destroyed roads and a 95-meter bridge, cutting off isolated village communities in mountainous areas.
On the day of the earthquake, Soka Gakkai youth members from Miyagi set up a relief center and, realizing that sheets, blankets and water would be necessary, distributed more than 50 cases of bottled water to displaced persons. A number of individual Soka Gakkai members also offered what support they could to the victims, such as the owner of an orthopedic clinic who visited relief shelters with his colleagues to provide massages, and others who prepared and distributed food over several days.
In Iwate, an area also struck by the earthquake, Soka Gakkai members who had themselves been affected by the earthquake organized a relief effort to provide water to people, as well as volunteering to cook and wash clothes. One person commented, "Because of the shortage of water, we could not adequately cook and eat. I really appreciate the Soka Gakkai members' sincere support."
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