11 Mar 2011, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States…ANN staff
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Japan is providing shelter, food and free Wi-Fi at its office in central Tokyo for victims stranded in the wake of today’s massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
Reports indicate tremendous damage in the region and a loss of at least 300 lives.
The magnitude-8.9 earthquake — the largest in Japan’s history — struck off country’s northeastern coast, cutting off electricity to millions of homes, interrupting the region’s mobile phone network and paralyzing Tokyo’s train system, the Associated Press reported.
The earthquake’s effect on the Adventist Church in Japan is not currently available.
An ADRA assessment team is expected to survey the affected area tomorrow to define immediate needs and better position relief workers to respond in the coming days, ADRA Japan officials said.
Currently, ADRA Japan is coordinating with the Japan National Disaster Office and local non-governmental agencies.
ADRA International this morning committed US$25,000 to fund an initial response in the country.
