AAR JAPAN (Shinagawa, Tokyo = Yukie OSA, President) has decided to resume its relief activities that had been previously carried out in eastern Turkey in response to the earthquake that occurred on October 23rd.
On October 23rd, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Eastern Turkey and AAR JAPAN’s emergency relief team consisting of Yumeka OTA, Atsushi MIYAZAKI, and Miyuki KONNAI was dispatched on October 26th to provide emergency assistance to the disaster victims. Relief activities were suspended after Mr. MIYAZAKI passed away and KONNAI was injured following another massive earthquake that struck the same region on November 10th (9th local time). However, many survivors in the twice-hit city of Van in Eastern Turkey are still forced to live in tents under freezing temperature, and they are in dire need of clothing and other protection to fight the cold weather.
Upon being notified of their current situation, AAR JAPAN has decided to resume its relief activities. On December 14th, Kiyoto ONISHI, Deputy Secretary General of the Tokyo Headquarters office, departed Japan, and intends to restart damage inspection and needs-assessment of the disaster survivors in collaboration with ARC, a local organization that had worked with AAR JAPAN during its initial activities in October. We are dedicated to engaging in relief activities such as distribution of supplies, paying close attention to safety more than ever.
Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI’s memorial service was held on December 6th at the Nippon-Seinenkan (Shinjuku, Tokyo), and over 200 people were present including Mr. Ali BABACAN, the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Kazuyuki HAMADA, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as supporters from Turkey and representatives from the international cooperation sector.
Again, we would like to express our deepest condolences to Mr. Atsushi MIYAZAKI.
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| Kiyoto ONISHI, Deputy Secretary General From 1989, worked at the Japanese Embassy in Turkey for 2 years. In 2004, was assigned to work in Afghanistan and engaged in activities concerning mine clearance and mine risk education for 2 years. Since then, has been a part of an array of emergency assistance operations including the earthquake in Pakistan (2005), airstrike in Lebanon (2006), typhoon in the Philippines (2009), flooding in Pakistan (2010), and earthquake in Haiti (2010). (46 years old, born in Hiroshima Prefecture) |
