Monday, March 14, 2011 | Last Updated Thursday, March 17, 2011 05:56 Pacific/Honolulu

ERD - Japan Earthquake Response Fund

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“There is particular concern for two churches,” reported Archbishop Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, who spoke with Bishop Kato. “Isoyama St. Peter’s Church in Fukushima Prefecture and Kamaishi Shinai Church and the kindergarten in Iwate [were] close to the sea. Priests have been frantically trying to confirm that their parishioners are safe.” The Archbishop went on to explain that churches in the Kita Kanto diocese had also been affected, and that the Sendai Christchurch Cathedral had been badly damaged.

Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s  Japan Earthquake Response Fund will provide vital support to the NSKK. In Tohoku, the Church is planning to establish an emergency relief center at the diocesan building, with Bishop Kato leading the efforts to respond to the crisis. At the Provincial level, Archbishop Uematsu is working to develop a response structure that is capable of dealing with a disaster of this magnitude, and will include organizing and supporting a network of volunteers to carry out the relief and restoration work.

After the emergency phase, Episcopal Relief & Development will continue to support the restoration and rehabilitation of affected areas in Japan. The agency will be liaising with other Anglican and international bodies, sharing information and working to ensure that the overall response is coordinated and follows the vision of the NSKK. Episcopal Relief & Development has collaborated with the NSKK in the past, through broader regional partnerships to address climate change, peace-building and humanitarian initiatives.

Outside Japan, the impact of the tsunami is widespread. Churches and partners around the Pacific region have been affected, including those in Hawai’i and on the west coast of the US. Episcopal Relief & Development has been in contact with affected dioceses and is standing by to offer assistance.