Disaster Update: Earthquake and Tsunami

Matthew 25: Ministries' first shipment, consisting of 50,000 meals, safely arrived in Tokyo today. After gaining clearance through customs tonight, the much-needed food will reach victims near Sendai by tomorrow morning. This first successful shipment of aid to those suffering in Japan is only the beginning of continued relief efforts to be made by Matthew 25: Ministries and all of our supporters.

Even as the damage of the earthquake and tsunami drops from the headlines, the victims of this disaster will remain in our thoughts and prayers. We will continue to provide aid as long as our partners request it and the need persists.

Disaster Update: Earthquake and Tsunami

Matthew 25: Ministries has begun sending aid to Japan.

50,000 meals from our Prasco Food Processing Center were sent by air with planned arrival in Tokyo before the end of the week. An additional truckload of aid left our Blue Ash facility today, which includes 200,000 servings of food from the Food Processing Center, as well as water and blankets. Matthew 25 will continue sending aid for months to come as long as our partners request it.

Matthew 25: Ministries’ Vice-president and Disaster Relief Coordinator Tim Mettey commented, “This is a long term effort for us. People often think that if it’s out of the news, things are back to normal. But our experience tells us that disasters of this magnitude, however industrialized or wealthy the country is, will need our help for some time to come.”

Inside Fukushima Plant

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Digital Globe   
  
See more photos of the Fukushima Daiichi Plant. 

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Disaster Update: Earthquake and Tsunami

While improvements in the status of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant have been reported, the situation is still very serious. The release of radioactive material and fears of contamination have caused many living in surrounding areas to flee to nearby makeshift shelters. Roughly 2,131 evacuation centers have been set up in cities along Japan's eastern coastline in local community centers, school gymnasiums and arenas.

Photo Credit: AFP
 

Read more about the conditions of refugee centers in Japan.
 

We will reach refugees such as this through partner community groups and churches in the affected areas.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.

Hopes for Haiti

While we are continuing our efforts to help those affected by the recent disaster in Japan, I would like to take a moment to share my hopes for the future of Haiti. Yesterday, Haiti held its presidential runoff. Today, counting is underway and the world awaits the final election results.

I pray that the elections conclude without violence. I pray that the newly-elected leader will begin rebuilding the hopes, lives and landscape of a country that still lay in ruin as a result of the devastating earthquake that hit January 12, 2010.

Photo Credit: Google/GeoEye/DIgital Globe via The New York Times  

Tool for a visualization of the immediate and long-term effects of the earthquake in Haiti.

Any and all links to outside sources and materials are intended for reference only. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of Matthew 25: Ministries and its affiliates.