UNITE FOR CHILDREN

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (60th report)
Deliver a book, create a smile.
The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project continues!

[MORIOKA, Japan, 20 May 2011]

   
© Japan Committee for UNICEF

The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project was launched on 25 March, two weeks after the earthquake and tsunami. Under this project, efforts were made to establish Child Friendly Spaces at shelters where children stayed and UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries packed with picture and children’s books. Currently, books donated from across Japan are being delivered to children in the disaster areas in accordance with the needs of each area and in response to requests from individuals mainly at preschools and kindergartens. As of 19 May, approximately 110,000 books had been shipped to more than 350 locations.

The staff that deliver the books say that this project has made them sense the power of books, as the children jump up and scream, “Look at all the books!” whenever they make a delivery. UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries are created using donations from people all over Japan and directly contribute to allowing children in the disaster area live happier lives.

 
© Japan Committee for UNICEF
The first delivery arrives at Aoba Junior High School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture on 4 April.   The principal of Shimoyahagi Preschool in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, reads a book to some children. One boy jumped for joy when told, “Look, you got your favorite book back.”

Moreover, on 10 May, the “Chakkoi” Picture Book Library was started inside the Daini Primary School in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. The way that the children sped through the books spoke for how badly then wanted them. The children were heard saying, “I can finally read books again!” and “I had this book at my house!” One teacher smiled and said, “It makes me feel happy every time I walk past the library.” Creators from Dentsu cooperated in the creation of this colorful and fun picture book library.

   
© Japan Committee for UNICEF
The “Chakkoi” Picture Book Library opened on 10 May in Daini Primary School in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture.

Below are some of the messages of support delivered along with the books from across Japan to the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU), as well as the kind replies of some of the recipients of the books.

Messages from donors delivered together with books (excerpts)

Messages from recipients of books (excerpts)

JCU is now accepting requests for UNICEF Mini Children’s Library sets. Please click here for more information.

Current arrival status of relief supplies

Receiving
Prefecture
Type of Emergency
Supplies
Arrival
Date
Quantity Donating
Company
Comments
Miyagi Water 19 Mar. 12,288
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Fukushima Water 22 Mar. 12,672
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Underwear for boys and girls 22 Mar. 200,000    
Iwate Underwear for boys and girls 23 Mar. 30,000    
Fukushima Water 23 Mar. 4,680
bottles
KIRIN MC DANONE WATERS Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Children’s shoes 23 Mar. 10,000
pairs
   
Miyagi Children’s diapers 24 Mar. 80 packs P&G Japan  
Iwate Children’s underwear 24 Mar. 9,700    
Fukushima Water 24 Mar. 12,288
bottles
VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Iwate Shoes 26 Mar. 1,404 pairs Achilles Corporation  
Iwate Underwear for boys and girls 27 Mar. 28,266  
Iwate Boots 27 Mar. 7,462 pairs  
Iwate Wipes 28 Mar. 1,200 P&G Japan For babies
Miyagi Recreation kits
Early Childhood Development kits
2 Apr. 50 of each Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate Recreation kits
Early Childhood Development kits
2 Apr. 50 of each Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi Book bags 6 Apr. 70 Nihon New Bag Chain
Iwate Book bags 6-7 Apr. 340 Seiban
Miyagi Schoolbags 8 Apr. 18,000 Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate Schoolbags 8 Apr. 18,000 Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) 8 Apr. 5,000
Iwate Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) 8 Apr. 5,000
Miyagi Minicar 8 Apr. 3 cars
Miyagi Nutritional supplements From early April 4,000 bottles
Fukushima Water 11 Apr. 1,536 bottles VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Replenishments for recreation kits 12 Apr. 60 sets
Miyagi Miniature toy cars 12 Apr. Approx. 1,200 TAKARA TOMY
Sagamihara* Water 12 Apr. 12,288 bottles VanaH Co., Ltd. Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi Play mats 13 Apr. Two types; 80 of each type IKEA
Miyagi Drawing sets 13 Apr. 60 sets IKEA
Iwate Preschool-size chairs, tables and low tables 14 Apr. 75 chairs; 11 tables; 9 low tables Donated to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Miyagi Mopeds 15 Apr. 5
Iwate Notebooks and stationery sets for primary and junior high school students 15. Apr. 16,700 sets
Miyagi 183 computers; 57 copiers and fax machines; 61 printers 18-21 Apr. Distributed to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Fukushima Movable blackboards 21 Apr. 10
Fukushima Temporary toilets 22 Apr. 20
Iwate Geiger counters 28 Apr. 14 For schools in Soma City
Iwate Dressing room/ breastfeeding partition system 28 Apr. 21 sets
Saitama* Milk From late April Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Saitama* Yogurt From early May Danone Japan Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Iwate Color pencils (120 sets) and paint (240 sets) 13 May
Iwate Student lamps 14 May 15
Iwate Stationery sets 16 May 840 sets
Fukushima Lockers 16 May 22 sets For the Board of Education of Minamisoma City
Fukushima Computers 16 May 1 Ishikawa Town Board of Education

Number of UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries distributed: Approximately 110,000 books to over 350 locations (as of 16 May 2011)

*Areas receiving disaster victims.

*In certain cases some supplies may be taken from prefectural supply storage warehouses and distributed to shelters and disaster sites in other prefectures.
As of 9:00 a.m. on 16 May 2011 (compiled by the Information and Public Affairs Division).