Second Hand is an non-profit organization that provides sustainable development assistance to Cambodia via its Japanese second hand stores and fund-raising efforts, and its headquarters are located right here in Takamatsu, Kagawa. They are currently putting a massive focus on helping the victims of the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. Below is a three-point outline of what they are doing and how you can help:
Second Hand Homepage:
http://2nd-hand.main.jp/index.php?English
Second Hand Tohoku Disaster Relief Blog:
http://nposecondhand.wordpress.com/
Contents of this Article:
1. Donation Drives
2. Cash for Work Project – How You Can Contribute
3. Volunteers Needed!!!
4. Outline of Relief Activities
1. Donation Drives
Second Hand will continue to send supplies to the disaster area as needed and in response to specific requests. The supplies needed and the deadline for submission will be listed on the Second Hand website. Please check the website periodically.
2. Second Hand Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund Cash for Work Project
Second Hand has been collecting and delivering essential supplies for disaster victims in the cities of Natori and Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture. We have delivered more than 30 tons so far to shelters and homes. Each time we go, we listen to the needs of the local people.
Many residents have no cash at hand to buy necessities and, for various reasons, much of the money donated to major charitable organizations has not yet been distributed locally. Jobs are needed to provide cash income. In addition, many people want to return home now that lifelines are being restored but they need help to clear their houses of mud and debris.
In response to this situation, a Cash For Work project is being launched through the Tohoku Region Earthquake Relief NGO Center. Local people seeking work will be paid in cash by the day or hour to help people clear their homes and make them livable.
Please Help Support This Project!
Send donations to:
Bank: Japan Post Bank
Branch: Head Office
Bank Address: 3-2, Kasumigaseki 1-chome, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo 100-8798, Japan
BIC (SWIFT Code): JPPSJPJ1
Account: 01620-6-60029
Name: SECOND HAND, Japan
Address: 1-1-18 Kanko-dori Takamatsu-Shi Kagawa-ken 760-0055, Japan
* Please specify in the comment column “For the Tohoko Earthquake Relief Fund”.
Or, donate through our Paypal account: jimukyoku2hand@yahoo.co.jp
Cash for Work
Cash for Work encourages smooth economic recovery in disaster regions by providing jobs on rebuilding projects to local disaster victims. This method has been used effectively for recovery after major disasters such as the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami of 2004.
Tohoku Region Earthquake Relief NGO Center
The Center, which was established on March 14, is a network of 30 NGOs, companies and local governments serving 3 cities and 2 towns on the northern coast of Miyagi prefecture. The Center responds to the daily needs of these communities by delivering supplies, sending volunteers to shelters and medical centers, coordinating activities, providing information, etc.
Second Hand, a non-profit organization based in Kagawa, Japan, raises funds through charity shops to support sustainable development.
E-mail : jimukyoku2hand@yahoo.co.jp
TEL/FAX: 81-87-861-9928
Homepage: http://2nd-hand.main.jp/
3. Volunteers Needed!!!
Second Hand sends out a quarterly newsletter to all supporters (almost 5,000) in Japan to report on its activities. The main feature in our upcoming issue is a report on the disaster and the aid needed. This report will help ensure continued support for the disaster areas. We need help preparing the newsletters for mailing (i.e. folding and putting them in envelopes). If you
are free on April 23 or 24 and are willing to help, please contact Second Hand.
Phone: (087) 861-9928
4. Outline of Relief Efforts
Here is a brief outline of what we have been doing. Many thanks to all our supporters for donating money, supplies and manpower, and to the many volunteers who helped sort, pack and ship the supplies.
6th Shipment
April 2: Delivered 6 tons of supplies to Onagawa in Ishimaki, Miyagi prefecture. We concentrated on reaching people who are isolated in their homes or small, improvised shelters. These people do not have easy access to the supplies delivered to the official shelters. We are working with key people in the locality to identify local needs and make sure supplies reach those who need them most. All shipping costs including the truck and driver were covered by Hayashida Distribution Service (Sakaide City, Kagawa: President Shiota).
5th Shipment
March 29-31: Cooked hot meals (total: 600 servings) at shelters in Ishinomaki, Miyagi. Second Hand volunteers supplied a 4-ton truck, a temporary kitchen and ingredients. They also carried and delivered necessary supplies for the local people. One Second Hand staff accompanied the truck to survey local needs.
4th Shipment
March 23: Collected, sorted and packed additional supplies needed by the Ishinomaki High School shelter. Shipped 41 boxes the same day.
3rd Shipment
March 22: Made contact with a coordinator in Ishinomaki High School shelter through a reliable source. Gathered supplies in response to specific needs. Sent 30 boxes via a local delivery company. Delivered supplies on March 24 and distributed them to those in need.
2nd Shipment
March 17-21: Began an appeal for goods in the morning and continued to collect supplies over the next 4 days. Packed a 10-ton truck with supplies on March 21. The truck reached the designated shelter in Natori, Miyagi on March 22.
1st Shipment
Worked with TICO, an NGO based in Tokushima, to provide needed supplies to Natori. The 1st shipment was a 4-ton load sent from Tokushima.
No comments:
Post a Comment