JAPAN DISASTER NEWS, RESOURCES & LINKS

2011

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CDC Resource Documents Related to Japan Radiation Crisis (19 Apr 2011)

• CDC Recommendations for Public Health Follow-Up of Travelers Identified as Contaminated with Radioactive Material by Customs and Border Protection at U.S. Ports of Entry
• Form for Follow-Up of Travelers Identified at U.S. Points of Entry with Radioactive Material on their Bodies Associated with the Incident at Fukushima Daiichi, Japan
• Recommendations for the Follow-Up Assessment of Contaminated Travelers by Radiation Control Health Physics Staff

HRSA Situation Update: Pacific Basin Tsunami (14 Apr 2011) The Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a situation report on the Pacific Basin Tsunami, as of Apr. 14, 2011. This HRSA report was prepared in conjunction with the Pacific Islands EMSC Region (PIER), with a focus on children in regards to current health issues in Japan and how it can affect HRSA grantee sites. Download the report here.

Resource Documents Related to Japan Radiation Crisis (05 Apr 2011) These documents were provided at the Apr. 4 ASTHO/HHS/CDC all-states call and are posted as resource information. Both documents indicate that at this time, there is no indication that materials from the incidents in Japan have the potential to have any significant radiological effect on the United States.

• EPA Statement: Update on Ongoing Monitoring in the United States.

• Nuclear Concerns Master FAQs: compilation of information provided by PCs from California, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Michigan information and CDC, NRC, and REAC/TS information.

Situation Summary from the President of AIA Japan, a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (30 Mar 2011) Download a situation summary from Hisaya Sugiyama, AIA, President of AIA Japan, a chapter of the America Institute of Architects, on the Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster.

American Red Cross Update: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami (21 Mar 2011)

Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Network Response

Japanese Red Cross

• As of today, 43 Japanese Red Cross medical response teams are active on the ground. To date, a total of 230 medical response teams composed of approximately 1,200 doctors, counselors, nurses and support staff have been deployed during this response. These teams are operating field and mobile health clinics to provide medical and emotional support to affected people. There also is a specialized psychological support team operating in Ishinomaki hospital in Miyagi prefecture, helping survivors who have lost loved ones in the disaster.

• Volunteers continue to provide support to those affected. Under the nation’s response plan, the role of the Japanese Red Cross is to provide healthcare, emotional support activities, relief items and family linking services to support those affected, including those in government shelters.
• A number of the Japanese Red Cross branches are equipped with special equipment to respond to nuclear, biological or chemical disasters in support of the government. In addition, there is a specialist medical team at Nagasaki Red Cross hospital that is trained to treat effects of radiation exposure.
• The Japanese Red Cross has more than two million registered volunteers and 47 chapters, and operates 104 hospitals, 26 nursing schools and 212 blood centers nationwide.
• The Japanese Red Cross is reconnecting family members through the International Committee of the Red Cross website – www.familylinks.icrc.org. 

American Red Cross

• The American Red Cross has committed an initial $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross to assist its ongoing efforts to provide assistance to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
• The American Red Cross provided an advisor to a high-level support and liaison team to the Japanese Red Cross for the first week after the disaster. The group was led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and consisted of representatives from several Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies.
• The American Red Cross is in direct communication with the Japanese Red Cross as they update their needs based on ongoing assessments and response activities.
• The American Red Cross is supporting the Department of Defense with voluntary evacuation of military members of household, working with Service to the Armed Forces personnel on bases in Japan and through the U.S. chapter network at points of debarkation domestically.
  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation)
• The International Federation’s Asia Pacific Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is coordinating activities in support of the Japanese Red Cross response. 

American Red Cross Update: Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami (18 Mar 2011)

Key Developments 

• The Japanese Red Cross remains focused on providing relief and assistance to the hundreds of thousands of people affected. As of today, there are 48 Japanese Red Cross medical response teams at work on the ground, and volunteers have distributed more than 91,000 blankets at shelters.

Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Network Response

Japanese Red Cross

• Volunteers continue to provide support to those affected. Under the nation’s response plan, the role of the Japanese Red Cross is to provide healthcare, emotional support activities, relief items and family linking services to support those affected, including those in government shelters.
• As of today, 48 Japanese Red Cross medical response teams are active on the ground. To date, a total of 171 medical response teams comprised of approximately 800 doctors, counselors, nurses and support staff have been deployed during this response. These teams are operating field and mobile health clinics to provide medical and emotional support to affected people.
• The Japanese Red Cross also has a specialized psychological support team operating in Ishinomaki hospital in Miyagi prefecture, helping survivors who have lost loved ones in the disaster.
• A number of the Japanese Red Cross branches are equipped with special equipment to respond to nuclear, biological or chemical disasters in support of the government. In addition, there is a specialist medical team at Nagasaki Red Cross hospital that is trained to treat effects of radiation exposure.
• The Japanese Red Cross has more than two million registered volunteers and 47 chapters, and operates 104 hospitals, 26 nursing schools and 212 blood centers nationwide.
• The Japanese Red Cross is reconnecting family members through the International Committee of the Red Cross website – www.familylinks.icrc.org. 

American Red Cross

• The American Red Cross has committed an initial $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross to assist its ongoing efforts to provide assistance to the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami.  
• The American Red Cross has provided an advisor to a high-level support and liaison team to the Japanese Red Cross. The group is led by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and consists of representatives from several Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies.
• The American Red Cross is in direct communication with the Japanese Red Cross as they update their needs based on ongoing assessments and response activities.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation)

• The International Federation’s Asia Pacific Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is coordinating activities in support of the Japanese Red Cross response. 

UK Rescue Team Arrives in Japan (13 Mar 2011) As reported by the BBC, "A British rescue team has arrived in Japan to join the search for survivors of the earthquake and tsunami. Fifty-nine search and rescue experts, four medics and two sniffer dogs flew out on a private charter plane with 11 tonnes of equipment on board. Some 10,000 people are feared have died in the worst-affected area after Friday's quake and tsunami. The British ambassador to Japan, David Warren, said there were 'some cases of British nationals unaccounted for.' In one town alone - the port of Minamisanriku - 10,000 people are feared dead, and efforts to find anyone alive are being hampered by aftershocks, continuing tsunami warnings and damaged roads. Rescuers will use lifting and cutting tools and specialist listening devices to help reach those trapped under rubble." Read more.

American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Disaster Alert: Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Network Response (12 Mar 2011)

Key Developments:

• The Japanese Red Cross continues to assess needs and has deployed 62 national disaster response medical teams with more than 400 staff to affected areas. The Japanese Red Cross has not requested international assistance at this time, however, the American Red Cross is in direct contact about their ongoing needs.

Global Red Cross and Red Crescent Network Response:

• Japanese Red Cross:
  • The Japanese Red Cross is assessing the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami and have deployed 62 medical response teams with approximately 400 doctors, nurses and support staff. They are providing assistance in affected areas through mobile medical clinics and assessing the damage and needs of the communities affected. The Japanese Red Cross is supporting government shelters by providing healthcare and emotional support activities and distributing relief items.
  • The Japanese Red Cross is accepting international tracing inquiries through the International Committee of the Red Cross website – www.icrc.org/familylinks.
• American Red Cross:
  • Internationally, the American Red Cross is monitoring the situation in Japan, is in communication with the Japanese Red Cross about their needs and stands ready to provide assistance.
  • Nationally, American Red Cross chapters in the Pacific islands of Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam and American Samoa as well as west coast of the U.S. were on stand by to provide assistance as the tsunami approached. The American Red Cross also activated its ‘Safe and Well’ website for family linking.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation):
  • The International Federation’s Asia Pacific Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is leading International Federation’s coordination activities in support of the Japanese Red Cross response.
   

Statement by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on the Earthquake in Japan and Resulting Tsunami Watches and Warnings Throughout the Pacific; IAEM Offers Sympathy and Support to People of Japan and Urges Those Living in Tsunami Warning Areas in the Pacific Region to Stay Informed (11 Mar 2011) "FEMA is closely monitoring the effects of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan early this morning," noted Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, in remarks issued Mar. 11. "Through our regional offices in the West Coast and in the Pacific area, we are in close contact and coordination with state and local officials and stand ready to support them in any way needed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this tragedy. Tsunami warnings and watches have been issued for the U.S. territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, as well as portions of coastal areas in Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington. Our immediate priority is the safety of the people and communities in the affected areas. We remind everyone who lives in the region to monitor their local news for instructions from their state and local officials, and if told to evacuate – evacuate." (Note: Since this statement was issued, an additional earthquake and powerful aftershocks have been reported in central Japan.)

   "As news developments are reported on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, IAEM members worldwide keep the people of Japan in their thoughts and prayers as they face a recovery that involves many fatalities already confirmed and a death toll likely to continue climbing," said Rick Cox, CEM, IAEM-Global Board Chairman. "We will learn more about the impact of this largest earthquake in Japan's history as the damage is assessed, but we know that emergency management professionals in Japan face huge challenges in the days, weeks, and months ahead." With tsunami waves having already caused some damage in Hawaii and predicted to hit the western coast of the United States between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. EST Friday, IAEM urges those in Pacific region who could be affected to be prepared and stay informed.

   According to the Associated Press, "the warnings issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cover an area stretching the entire western coast of the United States and Canada from the Mexican border to Chignik Bay in Alaska. Latin American governments ordered islanders and coastal residents to head for higher ground. First affected would be Chile's Easter Island, in the remote South Pacific, about 2,175 miles east of the capital of Santiago, where people planned to evacuate the only town. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa declared a state of emergency and ordered people on the Galapagos Islands and the coast of the mainland to seek higher ground."

FEMA and Federal Partners Support States, Territories, in Tsunami Response (11 Mar 2011) The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its federal partners are closely monitoring the effects of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan early this morning and stand ready to support state and local response operations if needed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued Tsunami Warnings and Watches for a number of countries, including parts of U.S. territories in the Pacific as well as coastal areas along California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

   "At the President's direction, FEMA is leaning forward to assist our state and territory partners," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "As I often say, FEMA is not the team, FEMA is just part of the team, a team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal officials, the faith-based and non-profit communities, the private sector and most importantly the public. Right now, individuals living in the affected areas need to take precautions and to continue to heed the information and warnings coming from their state and local officials."

   Earlier this morning, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate briefed President Obama on the Department's ongoing coordination activities with potentially affected states and territories.

   Under the direction of the President, FEMA is in close coordination with state and local officials, through regional offices in Oakland, California and Bothell, Washington, and the pacific area office in Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition, FEMA has commodities, such as water, meals, blankets and cots, prepositioned in Hawaii, Guam, and the Bay area of California should a request be made.

   There have been no requests for federal assistance from U.S. states or territories at this time, however, FEMA and federal partners stand ready to provide support if a request is made by a Governor. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) remains the lead federal agency when it comes to responding to international disasters.

   Additional information on the coordination efforts can be found below:

• The U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews are making preparations throughout the main Hawaiian Islands to provide post-tsunami support following any potential impacts. In addition, crews in California are conducting assessment operations, and monitoring shorelines for potential impacts.
• The Department of Defense has positioned National Guard personnel in county emergency operation centers in Hawaii, additional aircraft and personnel have been placed on standby if needed.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is deploying a Disaster Medical Assistance Team of more than 35 healthcare professionals and an Incident Response Coordination Team to Travis Air Force Base in California, as well as caches of medical equipment and supplies. From the Air Force base, the teams and equipment can deploy quickly wherever they are needed if requested by states or territories in the region or by the government of Japan.
• The HHS Administration on Aging is monitoring the situation through its state, tribal and local Agencies on Aging, in impacted areas, to ensure safety of older adults in potentially impacted areas.
• The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is closely monitoring conditions near the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, located near San Luis Obispo, CA. The NRC is working closely with its resident inspectors who are on site to ensure safe operating.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its Pacific Tsunami Warning Center are monitoring conditions and issuing warnings and advisory updates as available.
• The U.S. Department of State has a call center established for Americans seeking information about family members in Japan. The number is 1-888-407-4747.

   While tsunami watches and warning remain in effect, we urge the public to listen to the instructions of state and local officials, and if told to evacuate - evacuate. We urge everyone in the regions who could be impacted to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for updates and directions provided by their local officials.

American Red Cross External Partners Summary – Pacific Tsunami (11 March 2011)

This will be the sole American Red Cross External Partners Summary for the Pacific Tsunami. Thank you for supporting Your American Red Cross! Download the summary here.

RED CROSS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

• The Disaster Operations Center will stand down its Level II tsunami activation at 8:00 pm Eastern. The DOC will continue to operate 24/7 to monitor ongoing events throughout the country and to support chapter response actions.
• Evacuation shelters were open throughout the day, with additional locations on standby, in Oregon, Washington and California. The Red Cross is working closely with state officials in Hawaii and West Coast Emergency Operations Centers around activities such as sheltering and feeding.
• Red Cross disaster supply warehouses in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), California, Washington and Hawaii are activated in case relief supplies are needed. We’re mobilizing resources as necessary and are coordinating with FEMA and state Emergency Operation Centers.
  • Approximately 100 Red Cross mobile feeding vehicles are on standby.
  • Additionally, Emergency Response Communications Vehicles were placed on alert to support IT/telecommunications needs.
  • National staff leadership teams were surveyed and placed on alert.
• Red Cross is prepared to respond to any requests for blood in the U.S. and has been in contact with the Armed Services Blood Program Office in case they are in need of additional blood supplies to support our troops stationed overseas in that area.
• Non-Governmental Organizations:
  • The Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Convention are in contact with west coast EMAs, ready to respond to tsunami-caused needs.
  • American Culinary Federation, Save the Children, International Association of Venue Managers, and Children’s Disaster Services are prepared to support needs in Hawaii and on the West Coast.
  • Red Cross is in contact with the National Congress of American Indians and with the Japanese American Citizens League to support any needs identified.

INTERNATIONAL

• The American Red Cross is currently in discussions with the Japanese Red Cross to assess their needs and see how we can help. The Japanese Red Cross has extraordinary disaster response capabilities. They have been operating since 1887, and they run multiple hospitals and blood collection services across the country.
• Eleven Japanese response teams are currently assessing damage and supplying first aid in the affected region. In addition, the Japanese government has mobilized an emergency response, deploying 900 rescue workers to this area.
• The American Red Cross has a warehouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, fully stocked with pre-positioned relief supplies for 5,000 families, and it has disaster specialists on stand by. These supplies can be used for people in U.S. territories or other Pacific nations.
• American Red Cross is in contact with Department of State Crisis Management Team, prepared to support repatriation of American citizens or AmCits remains as needed.
• The American Red Cross is prepared to respond to a Japanese request for blood and will ship blood products outside of the United States (adhering to appropriate regulatory guidelines), following a specific request from the Japanese government or the Japanese Red Cross. No such requests have been received.
• The military has reported that all their personnel are accounted for, and all Red Cross staff on military bases are also fine. In Yokota, Japan, Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces staff are assisting with evacuating non-essential personnel and some airline passengers who were diverted to Yokota.
  • There are 175 Red Cross volunteers assisting with shelter operations
  • Flights being diverted to Yokota Air Base from Narita, Japan
  • Will be assisting with passengers
  • Two flights have landed and they currently have 600 in the shelter.
• Non-Governmental Organizations:
  • Save the Children and The Salvation Army are responding to the tsunami in Japan.
   

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY LINKING

• We understand people are concerned about their friends and family in Japan who are potentially affected by the earthquake.
• The Red Cross has launched a special Family Links website to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends.
• People in Japan and abroad can register on the website to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details, while those looking for people can check the list for information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch.
• The website is at http://www.icrc.org/familylinks.
• The Red Cross is not yet able to actively search for missing persons in Japan. We encourage you to utilize the Red Cross family links website and to keep calling and to trying to contact other family members who live in the region. Even though communication networks are overloaded right now, the situation may change and access to mobile networks and the internet may improve.

You may also find these other family linking resources helpful.

Other Family Linking Resources:

• The Google Person Finder site is available at: http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en
• If you have the mobile phone number of your family member in the affected areas, you may utilize the following services to check whether he/she has registered his/her message(s) on this service. Services are available in English and Japanese.
  • DoCoMo: http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/Einoticelist.cgi?es=0
  • SoftBanK: http://dengon.softbank.ne.jp/pc-e1.jsp
  • Willcom: http://dengon.willcom-inc.com/dengon/Top.do?language=E
  • EZWeb: http://dengon.ezweb.ne.jp/E/service.do?p1=dmb221
• Please note that when you enter the mobile phone number for search on the webpage, you should remove the country code 0081 and add 0 at the beginning. For example, if you dial the number internationally as follows, 0081-90-8877-6655, enter it into the website as: 09088776655 (enter the number without any dashes).

• US Citizens Living or Traveling in Japan: Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747.
• Inquiries Regarding US Military Stationed in Japan: The American Red Cross Safe and Well website has been updated to include the disaster dropdown “Japanese Earthquake.” Military members can register themselves on the site as being safe and well and families of Military members stationed overseas can check to see if their loved ones are registered on the site: www.redcross.org/safeandwell

American Red Cross Releases Its New Tsunami Safety Checklist Early in Response to Tsunai Warnings and Watches Issued Today (11 Mar 2011) The American Red Cross has been developing a new Tsunami Safety Checklist. It was in line to be posted soon, but due to this morning’s events involving the Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami, they have released the new checklist. You can download it here in English. It will be posted later in other languages at www.RedCross.org.