UNITE FOR CHILDREN

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (62nd report)
Assistance for temporary building construction and major repairs for kindergartens and preschools

[MORIOKA, Japan, 24 May 2011]

© Japan Committee for UNICEF

In consideration of this situation, JCU decided to provide assistance for major repairs on preschools and kindergartens that were partially or totally destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami, and for the construction of other temporary school buildings. The first of these activities has already started for Otsuchi Preschool (a temporary building) in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, which aims to open its doors on 1 June. Assistance has also commenced for the seven facilities listed below.

Photo on right: Construction started for Otsuchi Preschool (taken 24 May).

© UNICEF/2011/O.Kunii
Countless kindergartens were turned to rubble along with other buildings

Since the earthquake, JCU provided emergency relief supplies to the disaster area, including drinking water and underwear. At the same time, JCU has extended psychological care to children, and implemented Back to School and Back to Kindergarten campaigns in efforts to restart activities at schools, kindergartens and preschools.

More than two months have passed since the earthquake and local governments are gradually beginning to restore their administrative functions. Meanwhile, on the municipal level, organizations referred to as Education Committees are behind schedule in delivering assistance to children too young for school, preschoolers and others that required after-school care. This is compared to regular schools, which have already begun to experience a comprehensive restart of administrative services.

© Japan Committee for UNICEF

In consideration of this situation, JCU decided to provide assistance for major repairs on preschools and kindergartens that were partially or totally destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami, and for the construction of other temporary school buildings. The first of these activities has already started for Otsuchi Preschool (a temporary building) in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, which aims to open its doors on 1 June. Assistance has also commenced for the seven facilities listed below. Photo on right: Construction started for Otsuchi Preschool (taken 24 May).

Photo on right: Many kindergartens and preschools were damaged in the disaster.

First phase of JCU assistance for preschools and kindergartens for major repairs and construction

(As of 24 May 2011)

LocationNameDetails
MiyagiIshinomaki CityHimawari PreschoolFlooring and walls repaired due to one-meter high flooding.
Oshika Daiichi Day-care Center and Daini Day-care CenterIntegration of two day-care centers. Construction of a temporary building within the grounds of the Seiyukan, Oshika Health and Welfare Center.
Kesennuma CityMinami Kesennuma Primary School (after-school facility)Permanent facility constructed in Kesennuma Primary School grounds, as the building was completely destroyed in the tsunami.
Ashinome Hoshiya KindergartenTemporary kindergarten building constructed at an affiliated kindergarten as the kindergarten required repairs after flooding.
Minamisanriku Town, Motoyoshi-gunAsahi KindergartenTemporary kindergarten building constructed at Shizugawa Bayside Arena as the kindergarten was damaged by flooding and set in a designated danger zone.
Yamamoto Town, Watari-gunYamashita Gakuen Fuji KindergartenTemporary kindergarten building constructed at new location (under consideration) as the kindergarten was located in a designated danger zone.
IwateOtsuchi Town, Kamihei-gunOtsuchi PreschoolTemporary kindergarten building constructed at new location as the kindergarten was damaged by flooding and located in a designated danger zone.

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).