Oxfam To Help Mothers, Babies, And Non-Japanese Nationals

Oxfam To Help Mothers, Babies, And Non-Japanese Nationals In Disaster Areas

Oxfam is supporting the work of two of its partner organisations who are assisting mothers and babies affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and providing information to non-Japanese speakers living in the worst hit areas.

Japan is one of the most advanced nations in the world in dealing with natural disasters and has accepted international help in only a few specific areas. It is important that ad-hoc efforts to help do not undermine the coordination of the state’s overall relief efforts, especially now that explosions in a nuclear facility and radiation levels are complicating relief efforts.

“The Japanese state has the means to reach 99 per cent of the population, but there will always be some who need more specific assistance,” said Oxfam Japan head Akiko Mera from Tokyo.

Ms Mera said that Oxfam Japan will channel funds to the Japan Organization for International Cooperation on Family Planning (JOICFP). Together with the Japanese Midwives’ Association and local doctors, the groups help breastfeeding mothers by providing them with privacy and their babies with diapers and other products. They are offering counseling to women under high stress.

Another partner – the multi-language centre FACIL – is helping non-Japanese speaking nationals living in affected areas. FACIL was established as a response to the Kobe earthquake in 1995. It has set up a hotline for people to get information and is translating and re-publishing information put out by local authorities. There are an estimated 40,000 non-Japanese speakers in affected areas.

Most international agencies like Oxfam are standing by to assist on the invitation of Japanese authorities, and are otherwise providing specialist help as described here.

Oxfam Japan is primarily an advocacy organisation. Its Tokyo offices were damaged in the quake, but none of its staff were hurt.

ENDS

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