YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT
(JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI)
BACKGROUND
CURRENT SITUATION
GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN
JAPANESE RED CROSS
US RESPONSE
UN RESPONSE
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT
ELDERLY POPULATION
SHELTER
KEY LINKS
GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN
http://www.kantei.go.jp
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RELIEFWEB
UNICEF
International Nuclear Safety Center
International Atomic Energy Agency
Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
WHO
US GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Department of State
U.S Embassy in Japan
State Dept.'s DipNote on Twitter
State Dept. Background Note
U.S. Agency for International Development
OFDA
Library of Congress Country Study - Japan
CIA World Fact Book
The Department of Defense
Pacific Command
7th Fleet
Yokota Air Base, Japan
The Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC- Tsunami
CDC-Earthquake
CDC-Radiation Emergencies
EPA
FEMA Blog
US Geological Survey
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center
PORTALS AND RESOURCES
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
AS OF 1300 HRS EDT
28 MARCH 2011
FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT
All Partners Access Network (APAN)
Japan Disaster Wiki
CATDAT and Earthquake Reports
GDACS
Center of Excellence – Disaster Management Humanitarian Assistance
Earthquake Research Institute, University of Tokyo
National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health
LIBRARY
National Medical Library – Japan Earthquake
Disaster Information Management Research Center
Radiation Emergency Medical Management
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
BACKGROUND
EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
•
11 Mar 2011 05:46 UTC, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck 400km north-east of Tokyo off the coast of Japan
triggering a tsunami that flattened parts of the northeast coastline. The waves were as high as 15 meters in the
worst affected areas, destroyed everything in their path, and went six kilometers inland.
•
Because the earthquake’s hypocenter was 24.4 kilometers deep, it is considered a shallow earthquake, the most
dangerous type of quake. The 9.0 magnitude places the earthquake as the fourth largest in the world since
1900 and the largest in Japan since modern instrumental recordings began 130 years ago.
•
Worst-affected areas are the prefectures (states) of Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate, Yamagata, Ibaraki, Chiba, Akita
and Aomori in Japan’s northeast. The tsunami caused severe damage along some 600 km of coastal region and
went in as far as 7 km inland along Japan’s northeast
.
•
The population in these areas before the disaster was estimated at over 14.8 million people, of which 1.6 million
lived within 5 kilometers of the coast. Particularly hit hard are areas near the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi
prefecture, with a population of some 1 million people.
•
The initial tsunami that swept over Japan’s northeastern coast was reportedly as high as 33 feet at the port of
Sendai. The prefecture capital is located some 180 miles (300 km) from Tokyo and 128 km from the epicenter.
The JMA reported that the highest tsunami wave on the day of the quake was more than 49 feet high in
Mekawa, Miyagi.
•
According to the Geospatial Information Authority and the UN, the tsunami inundated 400 square kilometers in
four prefectures (an area equivalent to 20 percent of the area of Tokyo) About 190 out of 300 kilometers of
embankments on the seafront in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima have been destroyed either entirely or partially.
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
•
Japan's police have confirmed 28,550 dead or missing with 10,901 confirmed deaths and 17,649 reported
as missing. The bodies of about 7,270 people have been identified, and 6,860 of them have been returned to
their families.
•
Police say the number of deaths is likely to rise further as there appear to be many cases in which entire families
went missing with no one able to file reports with the police.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
USAID Fact Sheet #13: 24 March 2011
IAEA Update: 26 March 2011
US Geological Survey
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
NOTES:
• The tsunami following the 9.0 magnitude earthquake was the primary
cause of major damage to the region.
• Cold weather is exacerbating the emergency due to shortages of
blankets and fuel, and lack of electricity.
Aftershock distribution since after the main shock on 11th
March. Aftershocks with magnitude larger than 4 are
plotted on the map. The information is according to the
JMA unified catalogue.
CATDAT and Earthquake Reports
SITUATION
EMERGENCY RESPONSE,
• Harsh weather is still continuing in the affected areas with snow storms.
The temperature is dropping to minus 6 degrees Celsius overnight and
authorities in Miyagi Prefecture say the lack of fuel means they cannot
use heaters. 210,000 households (516,600 people) do not have electricity
and one million people are without gas. Freezing temperatures, snow,
and rain are expected to continue thru 29 March.
•
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts from now until Tuesday (29
March) that minimum and maximum temperatures will be lower than
normal and may drop below freezing in the morning and evening in the
Tohoku region.
•
The JMA is urging people to be on the alert for continuing aftershocks.
The JMA has said there is a 20 percent likelihood through Sunday (27
March) of an aftershock 7.0 or greater. The agency continues to caution
that although aftershocks are less frequent, the possibility of aftershocks
of 7.0 magnitude or higher could still occur and trigger more tsunami.
•
A lack of fuel, coordination and logistical issues are still the biggest
challenges facing Japan’s emergency relief operations as it enters its
third week in providing assistance to hundreds of thousands of people left
homeless from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The sheer scale of
the destruction means that about
• There are now 28,550 dead or missing with 10,901 confirmed deaths and
17,649 reported as missing. In the 3 hardest-hit prefectures, Miyagi, Iwate
and Fukushima, it is estimated that more than 230 school children (7-18
years old) have died and 885 are missing, while 13 teachers are dead
and 56 are missing. A survey has found that 19 percent of the casualties
were people over the age of 60, 22 percent were over 70 and 23 percent
were over 80. The survey shows that the elderly were most affected by
this disaster, probably as a result of not being physically able to evacuate
quickly enough.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
•
250,000 people are living in more than 2,000 evacuation centers. Some of the
centers are in large government buildings such as schools and sports stadiums but
hundreds more are in small groups of about thirty people living in unofficial shelters
such as houses. Others are living in their cars. (NOTE: Different agencies are
reporting different numbers in the evacuation centers. Will continue to monitor this)
•
Because of the amount of debris, the lack of fuel and restricted access on the roads
up until recently, emergency workers have been unable to move people to centers
where they could receive assistance. As a result relief workers are desperately trying
to provide a regular supply of food, water, warm clothing, and medicine to 2,000
evacuation centers, as well as provide critical medical, mental health and sanitation
services.
•
For the thousands of people who are living in their homes without electricity and
water, there is no access to basic supplies unless they are able to receive it from one
of the bigger evacuation centers.
MESSAGES FROM US EMBASSY - JAPAN
•
(Posted March 26, 11 a.m. JST) As a precautionary measure, the U.S. Embassy is
continuing to make potassium iodide (KI) tablets available to private U.S. citizens
who have not been able to obtain it from their physician, employer, or other sources.
We do not a recommend that anyone should take KI at this time. There are risks
associated with taking KI. It should only be taken on the advice of emergency
management officials, public health officials or your doctor. For more information
about KI, see this fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control, or contact your
doctor.
• (Posted March 25, 9 a.m. JST) The United States Government advises American
citizens that, in accordance with guidelines that apply to water in the United States
and based on analysis of tap water samples for radioactive iodine on March 24,
2011, the water in Tokyo is safe for drinking.
• On 22 March, he U.S. Department of State advised U.S. citizens who live within 50
miles (80 km) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant to evacuate the area or
take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical.
OCHA SitRep No. 12: 23 March 2011
USAID Fact Sheet #13: 24 March 2011
OCHA SitRep No. 14 : 28 March 2011
SITUATION
FOOD - The Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters reports that an estimated
10.7 million meals have been delivered to evacuation centers and hospitals in the
affected areas to date. Approximately 890,000 meals were delivered on 26 March.
The figure does not include distribution of food items by municipalities, NGOs, private
sector, and Japan’s Self Defense Force.
WATER - MHLW reported on 27 March that 652 254 households were without water.
•
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) reported on 26 March that
874,944 households were without water
• The Emergency Disaster Response Headquarters says approximately 3.4 million
bottles of water have been delivered to evacuation centers in the affected areas so
far. Another 1 million is in transit.
• The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare MHLW is coordinating 440 water
companies for emergency water supply. It has arranged to send 485 water supply
vehicles to the affected areas in Miyagi (211 vehicles), Fukushima (25 vehicles),
and Iwate (39 vehicles).
GAS - Slow improvement: Some 379,292 households remain without gas
supply.
PETROL - Petrol is being provided to evacuation centers by freight train
and tankers from areas both north and south of the affected Tohoku
region. Some purification plants remain out of operation.
BUILDINGS - So far, some 137,000 buildings are estimated to be damaged
either completely or partially, of which 18,778 were completely destroyed, and
118,137
RADIATION CONTAMINATION
• Radioactive iodine higher than the acceptable limit for infants has
been found in tap water in Saitama, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Chiba
Prefectures. Authorities of Tochigi Prefecture as well as the cities of
Hitachi and Kasama in Ibaraki Prefecture have advised not to give
tap water to babies.
ELECTRICITY - As of 26 March, approximately 200,000 households remain without
power, mostly in the Tohoku region.
• The authorities in Saitama have not issued this advice as the
measured values have decreased. However, they are carefully
monitoring the situation.
COMMUNICATIONS Some 126,541 telephone lines remain out of service. A reported
2 291 base stations of mobile companies are not working. Some mobile companies
provide free satellite phone, cell phone and charger as well as disaster messaging
services.
• Radiation has also been detected in sea water collected 30km from
the coast, near the nuclear plant. The Ministry expressed the need to
study the long-term impact it may have on marine life.
SEWAGE – Sewage treatment plants were damaged in the quake area. Many of the
sewage lines were damaged or destroyed. It is still unclear how much damaged has
occurred throughout the region or how long it will take to repair the systems.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 15 sewage
systems are not functioning or damaged in Iwate, 59 in Miyagi, and 14 in Fukushima.
This is a slight improvement in Iwate and Fukushima.
DEBRIS - The cleanup operation is proving to be challenging. In Miyagi alone, the
debris amounts to roughly 15 to 18 million tons, which is equivalent to 23 years worth
of waste for the prefecture. It only has capacity to dispose of 0.8 million tons per year.
Authorities say it will take three years to remove all the debris and this does not
include cars and boats. The Government says it plans to cover most of the removal
costs.
• Surveillance of seawater near the NPP sites indicates 1250 times
above safety level (iodine 131) for seawater at 330m from Daiichi
plant. This is much higher than the 147 times safety level detected
on 23 March.
•
Radioactive materials exceeding Japan’s legal limits have now been
found in 11 types of vegetables grown in Fukushima Prefecture as
well as the water there. The Government of Japan (GoJ) has ordered
residents not to consume the vegetables and has banned their sale,
or drink tap water or milk there.
OCHA SitgRep No. 14:28 March 2011
OCHA SITREP No.13: 25 March 2011
OCHA SitRep No. 12: 23 March 2011
OCHA SitRep No. 11: 22 March 2011
WHOI-WPRO SitRep No 11: 26 March
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 10: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 13: 22 March 2011
USAID Fact Sheet #10: 20 March 2011
SITUATION
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
HEALTH
NOTE: Assessment estimates are for the impacted areas. The overall infrastructure outside of the
affected areas remains strong.
• Local media reports that 53 percent of hospitals with 100 beds or more are
either closed or only partially operational in the three worst affected
prefectures. Out of 255 hospitals, 17 are closed and 117 are operating on a limited
scale. The majority of hospitals explained this was due to a shortage of staff and
medicine, due to damaged buildings and equipment, and a delay in restoration of
water, electricity or gas. 46 hospitals said they didn’t have the capacity to meet the
number of demands.
• The local medical associations have reported limited capacity of the health facilities
(as of 25 March). Out of 231 hospitals and clinics in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi
prefecture, 121 (52%) are unable to accept new patients, while 33 (14%) are unable
to accept any patients due to lack of resources including staff.
G
R
A
Not a Major Concern
Currently
B
Generally
Ineffective
Working But
Inadequate
Non-Functional
Or Destroyed
Unknown
MEDICAL OPERATIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTH
• An Internet-based ad-hoc surveillance system was set up by the Infectious Disease
Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases. http://www.syndromicsurveillance.net/hinanjo/index.html
• Influenza viruses were detected in Sendai and surrounding areas. Based on a
report, 21 out of 59 specimens were tested positive for influenza A (21 were positive
for H3N2 and 2 were positive for pandemic influenza A (H1N1). Influenza rapid test
kits were used at an emergency center in Sendai for the period 12-21 March. Rapid
test was conducted for 335 out of 1 180 patients（28.3%). It was found that influenza
A positive: 107(31.9%), influenza B positive: 5(1.5%).
JAPAN
R
R
A
A
R
A
R
R
R
R
PUBLIC HEALTH
• Reported on 24 March that three workers at Unit 3 had exposure of higher levels of
radiation and they are currently being treated at a hospital under the National
Institute on Radiation Science and no serious health consequence reported.
•
People continue to face cold temperatures with insufficient heating. Hypothermia
reported particularly among the elderly population in the evacuation centers.
• Around 60% of the evacuation centers have patients who need immediate
psychosocial support.
NOTE:
• Improvements in living conditions of displaced persons will be necessary
to prevent further spread of infectious disease.
• The elderly and medically fragile are particularly vulnerable to
hypothermia and other medical issues present.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
17: 26 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No.
JAPAN
R
R
A
R
R
A
A
R
OVERALL PH/MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
B
R
GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN RESPONSE
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
HEALTH & MEDICAL CARE
•
As of 26 March, 2,035 damaged road have been reported from 11 prefectures
(Aomori, Miyagi, Yamagata, Akita, Tokyo, Ibaragi, Tochigi, Saitama, Gunma, Chiba
and Iwate). There were reports of 56 damaged bridges in four prefectures. Many
roads and highways have remained closed. Assessments from Fukushima were not
yet completed.
•
•
As of 26 March, 36 damaged rail lines in three prefectures were reported. About 30
local trains in the affected area remain out of service.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has coordinated the deployment of
approximately 135 teams of doctors, pharmacists, social workers, child welfare
and psychological care specialists to the affected areas from medical institutions
across the country. In order to assist the establishment of disaster volunteer
centers which will coordinate volunteers and their activities, the Japan National
Council of Social Welfare has deployed 27 staff to Iwate, 63 staff to Miyagi and 22
staff to Fukushima.
•
•
Sendai airport is open for 24-hour operations for rescue activities and all 15 ports in
the affected area are available for “disaster measures”.
The National Centre for Child Health and Development and Japanese Society of
Emergency Pediatrics deployed a team to Miyagi Prefectural Pediatric Hospital
for assessing the pediatric medical needs.
•
Some 101 teams, consisting of 542 members are responding to Iwate, Miyagi and
Fukushima from the National Hospital Institution, Japan Red Cross Society,
Japan Medical Association, etc.
•
Some 234 pharmacists are deployed to Miyagi (165), Fukushima (53), Iwate (14),
Ibaragi (2) by the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and Japanese Society of
Hospital Pharmacists.
•
On 25 March, the Japanese Nursing Association dispatched 76 nurses to Iwate
and Miyagi.
•
Some 97 public health nurse teams have been deployed to evacuation centers
and public health centers in a number of the affected areas including Fukushima,
Iwate, Sendai and Miyagi. Additional 9 teams have been mobilized or on standby
for health-related services.
•
As of 25 March, a total of 25 mental health care teams have been deployed to
provide psychosocial support to the affected areas, including Iwate, Miyagi,
Sendai City and Fukushima. Additional 7 teams have been mobilized or on
standby for mental health support.
SHELTER - Approximately 19,500 public housing units across 47 prefectures are now
available for displaced families. About 10,000 hotel rooms are also available in
Yamagata, Akita and Gunma prefectures, as reported earlier. Public housing is much
needed as there are an estimated 99,000 evacuee families living in evacuation centers
with minimal access to basic services. They would need to move into public housing
while temporary shelters are being constructed. In Iwate Prefecture, the construction of
temporary housing has begun in the coastal city of Kamaishi, while the municipal
governments of Ofunato and Miyako announced they would begin construction on 25
March. At least 8,800 temporary housing units will be built in the prefecture.
DEBRIS REMOVAL - The Government has set guidelines for debris removal in relation
to private property rights. Temporary entry to private land for debris removal is allowed,
housing debris can be removed without the permission of the owner, vehicles and
vessels can be relocated to different locations and disposed of when the owners do not
reclaim them. Personal mementos will be temporarily stored.
LIVELIHOODS - The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has implemented an
employment adjustment subsidy and the provision of a special unemployment
allowance for the affected businesses. For the fishery unions, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is planning to provide a subsidy for the removal of
debris in the ocean, which will help the affected populations to rebuild their livelihoods.
AGRICULTURE - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries says a total of
20,000 hectares of agricultural land in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures has
been damaged by the tsunami. This is about 100 times greater than the area damaged
by the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. Experts estimate that desalination would take more than
a year.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY
• The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) is scaling up its relief operations to help
meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of survivors housed in evacuation
centers.
• JRCS has delivered 125,000 blankets and reported that many evacuees are now
getting three meals a day. They are providing support to thousands still living in
evacuation shelters.
• As of 23 March, 43 emergency relief teams composed of doctors, nurses, supported
by non-medical professionals are on the ground providing first aid, medical care,
and psychological care to the affected populations, continuing to assess the further
needs. Since the disaster, a total of 230 emergency relief teams have been
deployed to the affected prefectures with more than 1,600 staff members of JRCS.
• The Medical teams and Red Cross hospitals in affected areas are treating patients
who have survived the disaster. Establishment of field clinics is being planned, as
well as mobile clinic services for remote locations.
• JRCS is deeply concerned about the psychological well-being of the affected
populations. It is one of the urgent needs to alleviate the suffering and the stress of
victims, particularly those who are living in the temporary evacuation centers can
accumulate the further fatigue and psychological stress under the current difficult
living conditions. Psychologists have arrived in Tokyo for consultations at the
headquarters of the Japanese Red Cross after establishing a rotating system of
psychosocial support teams at Ishinomaki.
• The JRCS has received over US$249 million in financial support
• JRCS in-country capacity: 47 branches, each with relief item stocks, 92 Red Cross
hospitals, 66 Blood centers; 26 nursing colleges, 60,000 permanent staff (50,000
working for Red Cross hospitals), 495 deployable medical teams; 2 million
registered volunteers.
• A Family Links web site has been opened in cooperation with ICRC (in Japanese,
English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish). As of 19 March, 5,103 people
have been registered.:
http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/eng/familylinks-japan
IFRC Info Bulletin 4: 22 March 2011
COE-DMHA Update: 25 March 2011
JRCS SITREP 23 March 2011
IFRC Update: 25 March 2011
Photo : Japanese Red Cross Society
• A total of 122,530 blankets and 20,760 emergency kits (composed of
portable radio, flashlight, wrapping cloth, booklet on emergency health
care, etc) have already been distributed.
• In order to reinforce and mobilize the network of volunteers, volunteer
centers have been established at the head quarter of JRCS, and 4
branches in the affected prefectures.
NOTE: The psychosocial welfare of Japanese Red Cross Society's
(JRCS) own support personnel is itself an issue that is being
actively monitored by the JRCS..
UNITED STATES RESPONSE
• On March 11, US Ambassador to Japan John V Roos declared a disaster due
to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, which allowed US Agency for
International Development/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
(USAID/OFDA) to provide an initial US$100,000 through the US Embassy in
Tokyo to assist with local relief efforts.
• U.S. experts from the NRC, Department of Energy, Department of Health
and Human Services and the U.S. military are in place in Japan,
cooperating directly with Japanese authorities to help contain the damage at
the Fukushima Daiichi reactors. They are monitoring technical aspects and
engaging with Japanese officials on efforts to cool the reactors at
Fukushima, as well as regarding the health impacts of radiation.
The USAID team is working to manage the overall USG response effort
in Japan in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
•
• At the request of the GoJ, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response
Team (DART), including two urban search and rescue (USAR) teams from
Fairfax County, Virginia and Los Angeles County, California, to help in the
rescue effort in Japan. The US USAR teams worked with the UK and China
•
USAR teams to establish a sub-OSOCC at their base of operations in Ofunato,
facilitating coordination with the OSOCC to ensure a systematic international
USAR effort. USAR teams completed search assignments, but were unable to
find any live victims. All sub-OSOCCs are closed down and teams are advised
to remain in close connection with OSOCC and VOSOCC.
Approximately 10,000 USAID/OFDA-funded personal protective equipment
sets—including suits, masks, gloves, decontamination bags, and other
supplies—have arrived in Koriyama city, near the contaminated zone in
Fukushima Prefecture, for distribution to individuals working near the
nuclear exclusion zone around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
USG Funding Announced and Committed To Date:
- USAID/OFDA Assistance =$7,291,550
- Department of Defense (DoD) Humanitarian Assistance = $24,960,294
- Total USAID and DoD Assistance for the Earthquake and Tsunami =
$32,251,844
• The DART continues to engage at three levels to determine any possible
humanitarian needs in Japan: nationally through Japan’s Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, locally at the prefecture level and in coordination with U.S. ForcesJapan, and through Japanese civil society organizations.
• The DART team nuclear experts are monitoring technical aspects of the
nuclear power plants, engaging with Japanese officials on the status of the
health impacts of radiation, and providing guidance through the U.S. Embassy
in Tokyo on efforts to cool reactors.
NOTES:
•
•
US Department of Energy, DART, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Embassy staff continue
to monitor and triangulate information on radiation levels in Tokyo. To date, U.S. agencies continue to
report that there have not been any increases in radiation levels in Tokyo. DART nuclear specialists also
note no significant changes in the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in recent days.
US Department of State has made Potassium Iodide (KI) available to US government personnel in Japan
as a precautionary measure. The DOS advises that it should only be consumed after specific instruction.
USAID Fact Sheet #13: 24 March 2011
U.S. Embassy Tokyo News Update: 25 March 2011
DOS Note on Potassium Iodide 21 March 2011
DOS Travel Warning – Japan: Update 21 March 2011
COE Japan Update 21 March 2011
UNITED STATES RESPONSE
(DOD- OPERATION TOMODACHI )
Dubbed Operation Tomodachi -- Japanese for "friendship" -- U.S. military assets mobilizing in the area include a wide
range of equipment, air, sea, and ground capability and expertise.
U.S. Air Force
• As of 24 March, Airmen have transported more than 4.7 million pounds of cargo, more than 3300 passengers and completed
more than 245 missions in support of Operation Tomodachi.
• PACAF has generated 265 sorties moving 3,315 passengers and more than 2,512 short tons (5,025,600 million lbs) of cargo in
support of Japan Relief Efforts.
• USAF C-17 delivered 5 generators, 4 reverse osmosis water purification systems and 4 individual storage units from Andersen
to Yokota
• Two USAF C-130s delivered fuel bladders to Misawa AF and Sendai airport.
• USAF C-130 delivered 4 passengers and 5 pallets of waters from Kadena to Sendai
• USAF C-17 delivered H2O purification equipment from Andersen AFB to Misawa AB
• USAF HH-60 flew GoJ/USAID/UN/DART to survey Sendai and Ishinomaki areas
• USAF crews flew seven C-17 missions, delivering 184 passengers and 273 tons of cargo, as well as 4 KC-10 missions,
delivering 409,300 pounds of fuel to Japan
• More than 300 Airmen and USAF civilians have deployed to assist the 13,000 USAF personnel stationed in Japan helping with
recovery operations
• Number of AF Personnel deployed in support of relief operations: 698
• Number of PACAF aircraft deployed in support of relief operations: 18
U.S. Army
• 458 U.S. Army Japan personnel are supporting Operation Tomodachi as well as 1,000 national labor contractors.
• 10 water trailers have been released from APS for emergency use at Camp Zama. Bottled water was distributed for a second
day. Commissary rations bottled water to three cases per person.
• LTF 35 is conducting bilateral and joint convoys to deliver kerosene to Internally Displaced Persons' camps and are continuing
to clear debris at Sendai Airport.
• Over the last three days, Logistics Task Force 35, U.S. Army Japan, assisted U.S. Marine units in clearing debris from the
runway and taxiways at Sendai Airport. Over 1,000 destroyed vehicles that littered the area.
U.S. Marine Corps
• Supporting GoJ-led HA/DR efforts, more than 1,000 III MEF and Marine Corps Bases Japan Marines and sailors are deployed
on mainland Japan. As of Thursday (Mar 24), III MEF has completed more than 450 helicopter missions, providing assistance
in survivor recovery, personnel transport and relief supply distribution. In total, over 129,000 pounds of water, 4,100 pounds of
food, have been distributed.
• Marines Are Located At Mcas Iwakuni, Yokota Air Base, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Camp Sendai, and Yamagata Air Field.
• Marines from Combat Logistic Battalion 31, pushed to Oshima Island, located near Camp Sendai in Northern Japan, by LCU to
begin Operation Field Day. A 7-day exercise consisting of field day/cleanup of the tsunami-ravaged island. One of the main
focuses of Marines efforts will be getting the school running again for the kids who are scheduled return there in mid-April.
Soldiers and Marines unload hardware to
install hot showers at a makeshift shelter
for displaced residents on Saturday in
Higashi Matsushima, Japan (26 Mach
2011)
Aircrews from the 36th Airlift Squadron fly
from Yokota Air Base to Misawa Air Base
to deliver four pallets of mission essential
equipment (25 March 2011)
NOTES: The assistance from the
DOD had been key in the survival
of many victims as they were able
to reach the most hard hit areas
due to strong logistical capacity.
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update 27 March 2001
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update 26 March 2001
Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Update_25 March 2011
Operation Tomodachi- 24 March 2011 PACOM Relief Updates - 26 March 2011
PACOM Relief Updates - 25 March 2010
UNITED STATES RESPONSE
7th FLEET
•
U.S. military assets mobilizing in the area Seventh Fleet forces continued sustainment of life efforts in support of
Operation Tomodachi. Currently, 19 ships, 140 aircraft and 18,282 personnel are in the area of operation. Since
Operation Tomodachi started, U.S. 7th Fleet forces have delivered more than 230 tons of humanitarian
aid/disaster relief supplies to survivors of the tsunami and earthquake, in support of Japan Self Defense Force
(JSDF) efforts.
•
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continues relief efforts off the northeast coast of Honshu in support of
Operation Tomodachi, They have delivered more than 50,000 pounds of supplies via helicopter to affected areas
including; Myako, Hamanaki, Yamada and Oshima Island. Heavy and medium lift helicopters of the 31st MEU,
operating from USS Essex (LHD 2), are also transferring needed materials from primary distribution points at
undamaged facilities to smaller hubs in the disaster area in order to get relief aid closer to those in need.
•
A medical team from Essex flew to JS Hyuga (DDH 181) to meet up with Japanese medical personnel, and then
moved ashore to determine potential medical needs and areas where the 31st MEU medical staff could provide
assistance.
•
The USS Essex ARG will conduct an amphibious resupply of Oshima Island, off the coast of Kessennuma, early
in the morning on 28 March 2011. The ship will launch two Landing Craft Units (LCUs) carrying Japan Ground
Self Defense Force personnel and vehicles, as well as a commercial electrical utility truck and a fuel truck to the
island that has been largely cut off since the earthquake and tsunami March 11.
•
Commander Task Force 76 (CTF 76) continued harbor clearance operations in Hachinohe today. USNS
Safeguard (ARS 50) with the embarked divers of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 5 and Underwater Construction Team 2, worked with Japanese Maritime Self Defense
Force (JMSDF) and commercial divers to open additional areas of the harbor for operations. Teams cleared the
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) pier in preparation for the arrival of an LNG tanker which will bring much needed fuel
to the crisis stricken area. With many displaced personnel still living in shelters without electricity or heat,
requests for fuel have been a consistent theme from survivors to Navy personnel delivering aid packages. Navy
teams are working with the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) and local authorities to plan for similar efforts in
the ports of Miyako, Kamaishi, Ofunato, and Sendai.
•
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) sent hygienic HADR supplies to Matsushima airport in support of 2,000 tsunami
and earthquake victims there. The hygiene supplies were requested by the JSDF liaison personnel.
•
Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) handed over the second of two water barges on March 26 to the
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force. Together with the first barge sent yesterday, a total of 500,000 gallons of
fresh water is en route the area off the coast of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to support cooling
efforts for the damaged reactors. The JMSDF ship JS Hiuchi is escorting with the first barge arrival scheduled for
tomorrow. The fresh water may be used in replacement of salt water in the cooling operations to lessen the
corrosive impact of salt from the sea water which is currently being used for emergency cooling.
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 25, 2011) – A Marine with the
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit pulls a pallet of
humanitarian aid supplies to an CH-46E Sea Knight
helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262
(Reinforced), 31st MEU. The supplies will be delivered
during relief efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi.
YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 25, 2011) – Barge YOGN115, carrying 1.04 million litres (275,000 gallons) of
fresh water, departs Commander, Fleet Activities
Yokosuka (CFAY) to support cooling efforts at the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
PACOM Relief Updates - 27 March 2001
PACOM Relief Updates - 26 March 2010
U.S. 7th Fleet Update: 26 March 2011
PACOM Relief Updates - 25 March 2010
UNITED NATIONS RESPONSE
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION-REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE
WESTERN PACIFIC (WHO-WPRO) IN MANILA
• WPRO Situation room is on 24/7 operation to collect information and to
monitor the evolving events, in communication and coordination with
MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan), WHO Kobe
Center, the WHO Headquarters and partners.
• WPRO has been closely working with the National IHR Focal Point in
Japan and the WHO Headquarter to facilitate sharing of information
through the IHR Event Information Site (EIS) that is open to all the Member
States.
• WPRO has been providing regular situation reports, including situation
updates that have been posted on the WHO websites.
• "Forward" planning is ongoing to identify direct and indirect health and
other impacts, expectations/concerns from the public/media, Member
States, international communications and partners, and to prepare for
possible WHO actions in responding to different scenarios.
UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
(OCHA) - On 24 March, OCHA staff accompanied by colleagues from the
World Food Program (WFP), USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team
(DART) and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Office
travelled by helicopter to Miyagi Prefecture. The aim was to determine the need
for further international assistance to the affected areas of the prefecture. The
team met Prefectural officials from the Social Welfare Department, the local
branch of the Red Cross Society and Non Profit Organization (NPO) and NGO
representatives in Sendai as well as the local Social Welfare Council, Red
Cross and NPO/NGO staff in Ishinomaki for comprehensive briefings and
discussion. OCHA is now working in close coordination with government
counterparts to determine what if any international assistance may be required.
UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) - At the request
of the Government, UNHCR is providing 1,794 solar lanterns for Miyagi
Prefecture. The GoJ has received 131 offers of assistance from countries as
well as 33 offers from international organizations. It has accepted relief items
from 17 countries.
UN CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF)
• Working with local government, the Japan Committee for UNICEF has
conducted a rapid needs assessment on the ground to better support
children.
• In addition to the delivery of supplies, UNICEF relief workers have been
working to ensure the support needs of children are met. A needs
assessment has been conducted in collaboration with Japan local
government. UNICEF workers are beginning to increase efforts on
education and psychological support for women and children affected by
the disaster.
• Eight Japanese experts have been deployed from their posts around the
world to work with the Japan Committee.
In the above picture, UNICEF delivers supplies to
a shelter in Miyagi Prefecture. Picture provided by
UNICEF.
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
UNICEF Press Rel: 23 March 2011
UNICEF Press Rel: 24 March 2011
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST
•
WORLD VISION - has delivered blankets, bottled water, sanitary and hygiene supplies
for more than 6,000 people in urgent need in Minami Sanriku and Tome.
 AMERICARES - has concentrated relief efforts in Sendai, providing basic hygiene
supplies for dissemination to shelters in the area. Twenty tons of hygiene items are
expected to be delivered to Japan this weekend. Additionally, AmeriCares is
collaborating with other medical professionals in the area to determine the medical
supply needs of individuals in the area, particularly with chronic conditions such as
diabetes and asthma. In order to facilitate efforts of the organization in future weeks,
AmeriCares is setting up a center in Tokyo.
•
MÉDICINS SANS FRONTIÉRSES (MSF) plans to support a teams of six psychologists
in addition to the 12-person MSF team that has mainly been treating elderly patients with
chronic diseases. On 23 March, MSF distributed 10,000 hygiene kits containing soap,
tooth brushes, and towels to evacuees in Minami Sanriku. On 25 March, non-food-item
kits containing batteries, candles, matches, and towels were distributed to 4,000 people.
•
OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL (OBI) - has delivered food, clothing, and
other essential supplies in the town of Ishinomaki, where there are currently over 200
shelters. OB was also able to secure 1.5 tons of rice from a rice farmer who had an
excess supply of rice available.
• INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS International Medical Corps has
completed another assessment of the affected areas and reports that
health care for the vulnerable and the elderly in evacuation centers, and
possibly also for those who have stayed in their homes in the affected
areas, and mental health care for those affected by the disaster remains
the biggest priority.
- International Medical Corps’ emergency response team is
assessing the post-disaster needs of isolated coastal villages
north of Sendai that have yet to receive humanitarian
assistance. Information acquired from assessments of
evacuation centers has been communicated to the Japan
regional office of International Medical Corps in order to
properly facilitate coordination efforts.
- Shortages of food, water, fuel and some medicines, and
survivors in need of mental health support have been found.
While conditions related to shortages of food and water have
improved, there is still a need for proper coordination of mental
health services to ensure that individuals in need of support are
receiving proper attention.
- International Medical Corps’ assessments include: MinamiSanriku, Kesennuma, Riken-Takata, East Matsushima, and
areas north of Ishinomaki.
- Based on assessments at evacuation centers and a regional
hospital where critical patients have been referred, International
Medical Corps will work to fill essential gaps - including
addressing the need for food, water and chronic medicines at
shelters, providing psychological support, and if needed
deploying four medical teams currently on standby.
In the above picture, Operation Blessing
International relief worker is assisted by Japanese
military personnel in unloading relief supplies.
Picture provided by Operation Blessing.
NOTE: All offers of assistance should be directed to the GoJ.
AmeriCares
OCHA SitRep No. 12: 23 March 2011World
Vision News: 21 March 2011
IMC: 23 March 2011
Operation Blessing: 24 March 2011
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST
•
While aftershocks still continue in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, current cold weather (snowing in some areas) poses
an extra burden on those who are withstanding the aftermath. However, a good news came from Kamaishi city (Iwate)
that despite the lack of merchandise some of the convenience stores have started to resume services. Overall, the
distribution of goods has been improving gradually.
•
Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) has 62 relief personnel working in the impacted area 23
doctors, 10 nurses, 2 midwives, 1 assistant nurse, 2 pharmacists, 24 coordinators
•
. Ohtsuchicho:
- The medical infrastructure in the town of Ohtsuchicho was totally devastated due to the torrential tsunami. The
clinics and hospitals in the coastal area were all washed away.
•
•
-
Operations at Ohtsuchi Hospital have been suspended until April 15, leaving coordination of operations at
evacuation shelters a challenge. Coordination at Ohtsuchi High School has been a challenge, exacerbated by
the various relief organizations that come through the area in a brief amount of time. Ohtsuchi High School is
primarily comprised of individuals with chronic diseases. Road access and communication lines have not been
recovered in Ohtsuchi, making communication a challenge for disaster headquarters.
-
Majority of patients at Ohtsuchi High School are those with chronic diseases.
-
One of AMDA doctors accompanied a local volunteer to deliver mobile clinical services to a remote community
in a mountainous area where assistance hadn't reached. In the community contained fifty households (most of
them elderly) and the patients with chronic diseases had been left untreated. Among the patients were
diabetes patients with abnormally high blood sugar level or those with excessive high blood pressure. In
response to this, the team delivered mobile clinic services on a regular basis.
Kamaishi City: Medical volunteers are regularly allocated to the disaster headquarters in Kamaishi City. People are
counting on AMDA and its doctors. Large amount of medicine donated from all around the country have exceeded the
capacity of the initial storage.
Miyagi Prefecture (Minamisanriku-cho):
All of AMDA personnel were relocated to Minamisanriku-cho and have been working at Shizukawa Elementary School
since Mar. 23rd. AMDA is mainly supporting a local doctor who had already been active in the area. In order to fulfill
the needs at the smaller evacuation shelters where medical aid has been scarce, AMDA team is planning to deliver
mobile clinic services.
•
On-site needs assessments have been conducted at several evacuation centers yielding overall findings that collection
of medication at evacuation centers by individuals has been a challenge, there has been an increase in depressive
symptoms as well as a number of suspected influenza cases, close communication between mobile clinic medical
professionals and health care workers conducting home visits is necessary to avoid duplication of effort.
•
Now that the road access to Minamisanriku-cho has recovered, the transportation of relief goods has been relatively
stable. Food supplies have been somewhat well-off and medicines can be delivered within a few days of ordering.
AMDA International SITREPS
HEALTH – MEDICAL TEAMS
•
Through the coordination by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW),
various medical institutions have dispatched or in the process of dispatching
medical assistance teams to the affected areas.
•
The National Centre for Child Health and Development and the Japanese
Society of Emergency Pediatrics deployed a team to Miyagi prefectural
Pediatric Hospital for assessing the pediatric medical needs.
•
The Ministry has assessed the capacity of social welfare facilities in the nonaffected Prefectures to receive patients. The ministry found space for 31,294 in
elderly facilities, 8,756 in handicapped facilities, 6,752 in child welfare facilities and
734 in other protection facilities.
•
Some 109 public health teams have been deployed to evacuation centers and
public health centers in a number of the affected areas including in
Fukushima, Iwate, Sendai and Miyagi. An additional 4 teams have been
mobilized or on standby for health-related services.
•
As of 27 March, a total of 24 mental health care teams have been deployed
to provide psychosocial support to the affected areas, including Iwate, Miyagi,
Sendai City and Fukushima. An additional team has been mobilized or on
standby for mental health support.
•
Some 132 teams, consisting of 651 members are responding to Iwate, Miyagi and
Fukushima from the National Hospital Institution, Japan Red Cross Society, Japan
Medical Association, etc.
•
Some 236 pharmacists are deployed to Miyagi (166), Fukushima (54), Iwate (14),
Ibaragi (2) by the Japan Pharmaceutical Association and Japanese Society of
Hospital Pharmacists.
•
On 25 March, the Japanese Nursing Association dispatched 76 nurses to Iwate
and Miyagi.
•
MSF medical teams continue to work in evacuation centers in Minami Sanriku in
Miyagi, and have started to support a Japanese doctor in the town of Taro in Iwate
prefecture. MSF reports the main activity continues to be consultations with elderly
patients suffering from chronic diseases.
•
There was a survey on mental health issues in Iwate prefecture. Some 73
evacuation centers were investigated. Around 60% of the centers have patients
who need immediate psychosocial support.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
AMDA Emergency Bulletin #7
AMDA Emergency Bulletin #8
COE-DMHA: 26 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 19: 28 March 2011
HEALTH – HOSPITALS
•
•
•
As of 25 March local media reports that 53 percent of hospitals with 100 beds or
more are either closed or only partially operational in the three worst affected
prefectures. Out of 255 hospitals, 17 are closed and 117 are operating on a limited
scale. The majority of hospitals explained this was due to a shortage of staff and
medicine, due to damaged buildings and equipment, and a delay in restoration of
water, electricity or gas. 46 hospitals said they didn’t have the capacity to meet
the number of demands.
The local medical associations have reported limited capacity of the health facilities (as
of 25 March). Out of 231 hospitals and clinics in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi
prefecture, 121 (52%) are unable to accept new patients, while 33 (14%) are unable to
accept any patients due to lack of resources including staff.
The National Centre for Child Health and Development and Japanese Society of
Emergency Pediatrics deployed a team to Miyagi Prefectural Pediatric Hospital for
assessing the pediatric medical needs.
•
It is difficult to supply dialysis treatment in the affected area. MLWH, cooperating with
the Japanese Association of Dialysis Physicians, requires prefectural and city
governments to set up a system for accommodating patients.
•
In the town of Tagajo on the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, the Sen-en Hospital has been
without electricity, gas or running water for nearly two weeks. There are shortages of
basic medicines. Several elderly patients have died because of the freezing
temperatures in the wards. About 200 patients were transferred to nearby hospitals.
Those who remain are the most serious cases. (NOTE: It was reported that there were
15 out of 170 elderly who died within one week after evacuation)
-
-
•
.
•
The UN reports that deaths are being reported in hospitals due to the
lack of medicines, fuel and other basic items.
•
A physician from Niigata University reported on an investigation in a highrisk population for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (from
staying in a vehicle at night). He reported 11 among 39 subjects who had
embolism in the legs. Advice was given to increase water intake among the
evacuees.
•
Hospital in Miyagi Prefecture. Red Cross doctors are seeing an increase in
influenza and diarrheal diseases among the displaced communities and
cases of hypothermia and pneumonia among people who have survived
long periods in water.
•
The Japan Medical Association started to ship insulin to affected sites but
there has been difficulty in reaching the affected areas because of bad road
conditions and lack of petrol
Most of the patients here have had strokes or cerebral infections, so they can't
move by themselves
Most needed is the special milk, which is fed through tubes. They don't have
any of that so they aren't getting enough nutrition
The army has installed a generator, which operates for two hours in the
evening and is a vital window for the doctors to perform the most important
tasks.
As of March 20, the WHO reports that medical doctors with non Japanese medical
licenses will be allowed to conduct basic medical treatment.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
Voice of America (VOA): 22 March 2011
Ishinomaki Japanese Red Cross hospital. The hospitals corridors are
lined with beds. Most of the seriously ill are the elderly with
hypothermia and respiratory infections. Photo: IFRC
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011 WHO-WPRO SitRep No 18 27 March 2011
COE-DMHA: 26 March 2011
WHO-SitRep No. 19 28 March 2011
HEALTH – PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS
• MHLW is coordinating the needs by location and deployments of mental
health workers to the sites.
.
• There was a survey on mental health issues in Iwate prefecture. Some 73
evacuation centers were investigated. Around 60% of the centers have
patients who need immediate psychosocial support. Many people are
experiencing irritations, anxieties and sleeping disorders as well as sleepwalking. One of the doctors reported that the larger evacuation centers seem
to be worse in terms of mental health overcrowded.
•
Any natural disaster of this scale involving sudden loss of life, traumatic
destruction, relocation and homelessness, and deep uncertainty about the
future carries serious risk of short- and long-term psychological impacts.
• Nuclear accidents and other man-made disasters also produce profound
anxiety and mental health complications.
• Studies on the psychological consequences of Chernobyl and Three Mile
Island show increased depression and post-traumatic stress disorder even
years after the event, especially among mothers of young children.
• Children themselves are psychologically vulnerable but also can be quite
resilient, if a sense of normalcy returns as quickly as possible.
Physical
•
Fatigue
•
Insomnia
•
Hyper-arousal
•
Eating disturbances
•
Decreased immunity
Emotional
•
Shock
•
Anger
•
Guilt
•
Confusion
•
Grief
•
Nightmares
•
Withdrawal
•
Reliving the event
MSF is working to provide psychological support and continue to
provide elderly patients with care for chronic conditions. Photo: MSF
HEALTH – PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS
Psychosocial support to disaster victims is crucial. Those delivering psychosocial support services need to be well versed with the culture and way of life of
disaster affected victims. People should have access to social and mental health services to reduce mental health morbidity, disability and social problems.
Many evacuees are suffering from acute stress disorder, which can develop
over time into post traumatic stress disorder.
• There is a need for the simultaneous distribution of physical and mental
health care, and the establishment of a rotating system of psychosocial
support teams
• Psychosocial support and mental health needs have been identified as
increasingly vital health concerns, especially the needs of children and
elderly.
• MHLW has also received requests from the social welfare facilities in the
affected areas for dispatching social workers.
• MHLW is currently mobilizing nearly 6,000 social workers from other nonaffected Prefectures.
• The Ministry has also prepared a mental care guidebook that is being
distributed to affected municipalities and website has been set up to provide
information for counselors and teachers.
• Survey on mental health issues in Iwate prefecture (73 shelters were
investigated): Around 60% of the shelters have patients who need
immediate psychosocial support.
• The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) is coordinating mental
health needs by location and deployments of mental health workers to the
sites
• As of 26 March, a total of 25 mental health care teams, consisting of 124
members have been deployed to provide psychosocial support to the
affected areas, including Iwate, Miyagi, Sendai City and Fukushima.
• An additional 7 teams have been mobilized or on standby for mental health
support.
• MHLW is mobilizing 389 child welfare specialists from 52 municipalities to be
dispatched to evacuation centers and child welfare centers, pending the
request from the affected areas.
• The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has
decided to dispatch 144 clinical psychotherapists for affected school children
in Miyagi and Fukushima, 22 of these have been deployed.
IFRC News: 25 March 2011
COE-DMHA update: 26 March 2001
WHO-WPRO SitRep No 19: 28 March 2011
NOTE:
• As response and recovery operations continue, the need for long
term medical and psychological support will increase for pre-existing
conditions as well as those caused by the disaster
• A long-term strategy will be required to support these conditions as
well as to transition response assets into the recovering
infrastructure as appropriate
MSF NEWS: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 18: 27 March 2011
ELDERLY POPULATION
• Japan has a large elderly population that is nearly double the proportion of people
aged 65 and over in the United States.
CASUALTIES
• A survey has found that 19% of the casualties were people over the age of 60, 22%
were over 70 and 23% were over 80. The survey shows that the elderly were most
affected by this disaster, probably as a result of not being physically able to
evacuate quickly enough.
CHRONIC DISEASE
• While local officials are gradually taking over responsibility for medical care,
MSF says its main activity continues to be consultations with elderly patients
suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension.
• IFRC reports that most of their patients are elderly and many have lost their
regular medication in the disaster, many with chronic conditions who are
also affected by the cold
•
As of 26 March, 52 deaths in shelters have been reported, particularly among the
elderly.
• Some elderly have dementia or do not remember what or how much
medication they were taking, which complicates the medical situation.
•
The tsunami killed nearly half the 113 residents at a retirement home in
Kesennuma. Eleven of those who lived there died of exposure, and the other 53 are
in a shelter with only kerosene heaters to keep them warm in near-freezing
conditions.
HYPOTHERMIA
• Hypothermia has been reported, particularly among the elderly in evacuation
centers, increasing their vulnerability
VULNERABILITIES
• Influenza viruses H3N2 and H1N1 were detected in Sendai and surrounding areas.
Particular vulnerable populations are young children and the elderly.
•
There are also concerns for people with disabilities in the centers, especially the
hearing impaired who rely on emails via their mobile phones to communicate but
are currently unable to do so until the mobile phone network is fully restored.
Elderly victims of the tsunami
wait covered in blankets in
freezing temperatures at an
emergency shelter in
Kensumma. There is in heating
to most of the shelters across
Japan and supplies of food,
water and medicine are running
low.
IFRC News: 25 March 2011
COE-DMHA update: 26 March 2001
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 18: 27 March 2011
OCHA SitRep No. 13: 25 March 2011
• The temperature is dropping to minus 6 degrees Celsius overnight and
authorities in Miyagi Prefecture say the lack of fuel means they cannot use
heaters. 210,000 households (516,600 people) do not have electricity and
one million people are without gas.
NOTE:
• One of the most urgent needs right now is to provide blankets
and heat-generating mechanisms to keep bodies clean, prevent
bed sores, and in general protect the most vulnerable sections of
the population.
•
Recommended treatment of hypothermia in the field is core
rewarming to prevent post-rescue collapse.
•
Many rescuers and first-aid providers do not have equipment to
institute rewarming with warm, humidified oxygen, and warm IVfluids, although these methods should be initiated to help
prevent (core) temperature afterdrop.
MSF NEWS: 25 March 2011
7 NEWS-MEDICAL CRISIS IN JAPAN”S EVACUATION SHELTERS
RESQ Products Inc- TREATING HYPOTHERMIA
SHELTER
SHELTER
•
193,213 people were staying in temporary shelters across the country. That's
3,932 fewer than the previous day. Miyagi Prefecture is sheltering the largest
number, 83,537. Iwate Prefecture has 42,923 evacuees, followed by Fukushima
Prefecture with 30,630 evacuees.
•
The number of people staying outside their prefectures following the nuclear power
plant accident in Fukushima Prefecture fell by 70 from Saturday to 33,748 by
Sunday.
•
Harsh weather is still continuing in the affected areas with snow storms. The
temperature has dropped to as low as minus 6 degrees Celsius overnight and
authorities in Miyagi Prefecture say the lack of fuel means they cannot use heaters.
Hypothermia has been reported particularly among the elderly population in the
evacuation centers.
•
As of 26 March, 52 deaths in shelters were reported, particularly among the elderly.
•
The evacuees have also established managing committees in the evacuation
centers. The committees are trying to establish order in the centers in regards to
distribution of food and relief items, cleaning, water supply, and allocation of
individual living spaces. A municipal official acts as the liaison between the
committees and the municipality. This practice of self-management will continue
when the evacuees are relocated to planned housing.
•
The GoJ wants to keep people from the same evacuation centers together so bonds
formed since the earthquake can be maintained.
•
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation says that only 8 percent of
the land needed for the construction of temporary shelters has been secured. The
Ministry has requested the Federation of Housing Production to construct 30,000
temporary shelters in two months. The number of shelters so far requested by the
prefectures is over 33,000, and is likely to increase. So far land has been allocated
for only 2,645 shelters.
•
Local authorities are facing difficulties in finding suitable land, as the coastal area
in Tohoku is not flat, and a large part has been damaged by the tsunami. The
Ministry is also considering purchasing material for the construction of temporary
shelters from abroad, if they have the same cost, size and design specifications as
Japan. After the 1995 Kobe earthquake, 3,300 temporary shelters were imported,
as they could not all be procured in-country.
•
In Iwate Prefecture, authorities are taking applications for the first 200 temporary
shelters it is constructing.
•
Rikuzentakata is the first municipality in the earthquake/tsunami area to start the
registration process. The media is reporting mixed feelings towards the registration
as while evacuees are keen to leave the evacuation centers where access to basic
services is extremely limited, they are also concerned about remaining in the areas
destroyed by the tsunami. At least 8,800 temporary housing units will be built in the
prefecture.
•
The Special Task Force for Livelihood Support of the Affected Population says
40,500 government apartments are available in addition to the 19,500 public
housing units offered for displaced families, making a total of approximately 60,000
apartments. Among them, 42,145 are immediately available. According to the
NOTE: The transition of evacuees from shelters into planned housing will
support the improvement of the health concerns associated with mass
sheltering
OCHA SItRep No 18 : 28 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
COE-DMHA: 26 March 2011
LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION
TRANSPORTATION
LOGISTICS
•
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) announced that
most (94%) of the main roads reaching to the affected Pacific coastal areas have
been repaired.
•
The Tohoku Expressway, which was closed following the disaster, is now open to
ordinary traffic. The GoJ hopes this will accelerate assistance, recovery and
reconstruction activities. An increase in volunteers and NGOs working in the affected
areas is expected as a result. Up until now, only authorized emergency vehicles were
allowed to use the highway.
•
The bad weather is hindering emergency response efforts; helicopters that used to
deliver relief supplies have been grounded, and authorities must rely on road
transport.
•
The shortage of fuel is still the biggest obstacle to delivering relief supplies and
keeping people warm.
•
The GoJ has enacted a plan to redirect 38,000 kiloliters per day of fuel from the oil
refinery factories in Hokkaido and western Japan by surface transportation. This was
the average daily demand of fuel in the Tohoku area before the disaster, and has
•
been secured. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is planning to
transfer 300 tanker vehicles operating in western Japan to the Tohoku area, and 100
out of 500 fuel stations will supply emergency vehicles carrying relief items with fuel.
It has also requested the oil refinery industry increase their production from the
current level of 80% capacity to 95% capacity.
•
The GoJ says 8,670,000 liters of fuel has been delivered to the affected areas to
date. The delivery capacity has improved over the week, with 1,390,000 liters and
•
780,000 liters delivered in the last two days. According to the METI, the GoJ has
made progress in establishing the supply chain of petroleum to the Tohoku region,
securing a supply of 22,000 kilolitres per day. The areas surrounding the Fukushima
•
Power Plants are also receiving emergency fuel.
•
•
As of 21 March, capacity had recovered to around 3.9 million barrels per day (mbpd)
•
more than the usual daily demand of 3.6 mbpd. (Yomiuri, 23 March) The first oil
tanker to arrive since the disaster docked near a storage facility in Shiogama,
Miyagi, which is a key oil shipping base. The tanker arrived with 2,010 kiloliters of
gas, heating oil and light oil.
Debris clogs a road under
a bridge. Photo: IFRC
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
As of 26 March, 2 035 damaged roads have been reported from 11 prefectures
(Aomori, Miyagi, Yamagata, Akita, Tokyo, Ibaragi, Tochigi, Saitama, Gunma, Chiba
and Iwate). There were reports of 56 damaged bridges in four prefectures. Many
roads and highways have remained closed. Assessments from Fukushima were not
yet completed.
All 15 ports in the affected area are available for “disaster measures”.
13 airports in the affected areas are open for scheduled and chartered flights, and
Sendai Airport which was heavily affected by the tsunami is open for 24-hour
operations for humanitarian flights.
As of 26 March, 36 damaged rail lines in three prefectures were reported. About 30
local trains in the affected area remain out of service.
The Tohoku bullet train has also resumed services between Morioka, Iwate and ShinAomori today. However, it will be some time before the train can carry passengers
along its full 670 km stretch from Tokyo to Aomori. According to NHK, the Tohoku
bullet train is expected to resume full service as early as late April, East Japan
Railway said, while briefing the transportation ministry on Tuesday. The route runs
through affected regions and service has only been resumed in sections near the two
terminals, but the train cannot run in the middle section. The company says the work
will take more than a month but the line sustained relatively minor damage.
•
55 sewage disposal plants remain non-operational.
•
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), on behalf of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Maritime Organization (IMO), the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
issued a joint statement on the continued safety of air transport operations in Japan.
These five organizations confirmed that there are no restrictions to normal air
transport operations at Japan’s major airports, including both Haneda and Narita.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
COE-DMHA: 26 March 2011
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
•
•
•
Concerns mount over the growing number of displaced
and the intended long-term care of needy populations,
such as the elderly. Suggestions of creating a second,
permanent home for them have been posed.
Residents living in the non-evacuated areas around
plants report feeling “isolated”. Access to resources
has been difficult as some transportation companies
refuse to deliver goods to these areas. The government
is now encouraging residents to voluntarily leave the
area though they do not intend to expand designated
areas.
Suggestions for Aid Workers:
•
Japanese have a strong sense of community. Society
distinguishes between the “in” and “out” group (e.g.
linguistically). Workers should be able to recognize
when this is being expressed indirectly.
•
Avoid references to the numbers 4 & 9 (4= death, 9=
suffering). Pay special attention to the context in which
these numbers are used.
•
Foreign media is often perceived as exaggerating the
severity of the event. Be sensitive to using hypothetical
language to avoid resentment toward help.
•
The bureaucracy of aid work can often be frustrating
and time-consuming. Be aware of how this impacts your
delivery of services.
Japan has strict rules regarding garbage separation
that could cause delays in clean-up efforts.
People sit in a closed junior high school being used as a shelter
following the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, in the Iwate
Prefecture city of Kamaishi on March 17. (Mainichi)
Mainichi Daily News: 26 March 2011
YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT
(FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT )
MAP
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
RADITION IN FOOD
RADITION IN WATER
• At the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear power
plant, high radioactive density detected in 3
turbine buildings may further delay work to
restore the cooling systems for the overheated
fuel rods.
RADITION IN SOIL
• Tokyo Electric Power Company says that on
Sunday, 27 March 2011, it detected 100,000
times the normal density of radioactive
substances in the leaked water in the Number
2 reactor's turbine building at the Fukushima
Daiichi nuclear power plant.
HEALTH EFFECTS
• The water surface had a high radiation level of
more than 1,000 millisieverts per hour.
RADITION IN SEA WATER
JUST IN TIME TRAINING
Lighting becomes available on Saturday,
March 26, 2011 in the control room of Unit 2
reactor at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi
nuclear power plant. Photo: AP
• In similar tests conducted earlier, about 10,000
times the normal radioactive density had been
detected in the turbine buildings of the
Number-1 and -3 reactors as well.
JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
BACKGROUND
• Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant - Located on the Eastern
coast of Japan, the six nuclear power reactors at Daiichi are boiling
water reactors (BWRs).
•
The earthquake on 11 March severed off-site power to the plant and
triggered the automatic shutdown of the three operating reactors - Units
1, 2, and 3. The control rods were successfully inserted into the reactor
cores, ending the fission chain reaction. The remaining reactors - Units
4, 5, and 6 -- had previously been shut down for routine maintenance
purposes. Backup diesel generators, designed to start up after losing
off-site power, began providing electricity to pumps circulating coolant to
the six reactors.
• Soon after the earthquake, a large tsunami washed over the reactor site,
knocking out the backup generators. While some batteries remained
operable, the entire site lost the ability to maintain proper reactor cooling
and water circulation functions.
• Over the following days there was evidence of partial nuclear meltdowns
in reactors 1, 2, and 3; hydrogen explosions destroyed the upper
cladding of the buildings housing reactors 1, 3, and 4; an explosion
damaged reactor 2's containment; and multiple fires broke out at reactor
4. Fears of radiation leaks led to a 30 km (18-mile) radius evacuation
around the plant.
• Radioactive material was released on several occasions after the
tsunami struck. This occurred due to both deliberate pressure-reducing
venting, and through accidental and uncontrolled releases.
• These conditions resulted in unsafe levels of radioactive contamination in
the air, in drinking water, and on certain crops in the vicinity of the plant.
Radioactive materials exceeding national safety limits have been found
in milk, 11 types of vegetables grown in Fukushima Prefecture.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
USAID Fact Sheet #13: 24 March 2011
IAEA Update: 26 March 2011
US Geological Survey
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
NOTE: Radiation levels are at levels high enough to impact human health at the Fukushima power plant.
The situation at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains very
serious.
Environmental Radioactivity in Fukushima Prefecture
Direction and
Reading Value Distance from
Plant
Normal
Value
City
Ken-poku, Fukushima
City
0.04
4.68
NW/ About 61km
Ken-chu, Koriyama City
0.04-0.06
1.41
W/About 58km
Ken-nan, Shirakawa City
0.04-0.05
1.10
SW/ About 81km
Aizu, Aizu Wakamatsu
City
0.04-0.05
0.38
W/ About 97km
Soso, Minami Soma City
0.05
1.88
N/ About 24km
Iwaki, Iwaki City Taira
0.05-0.06
1.44
S-SW/About 43km
Tamagawa Village,
Fukushima Airport
-
0.42
W-SW/About 58km
Iitate Village
-
-
NW/ About 40km
Iwaki City Elementary
School
-
1.10
S-SW/ About 40km
Tamura City Funehiki
-
0.58
W/ About 40 km
Tamura City Tokiwa
0.51
W/ About 35km
Minami Aizu, Minami Aizu 0.02-0.04
Town
0.09
W-SW/ About
115km
Unit:μ Gy/h≒μ Sv/h(micro gray/hour≒micro sievert/hour)
Fukushima Prefecture International Association via World Village Translation
Radiation Information:
The restoration of off-site power continues and lighting is now available in
the central control rooms of Units 1, 2 and 3. Also, fresh water is now
being injected into the Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs) of all three Units.
Radiation measurements in the containment vessels and suppression
chambers of Units 1, 2 and 3 continued to decrease. White "smoke"
continued to be emitted from Units 1 to 4.
Pressure in the RPV showed a slight increase at Unit 1 and was stable at
Units 2 and 3, possibly indicating that there has been no major breach in
the pressure vessels.
At Unit 1, the temperature measured at the bottom of the RPV fell slightly
to 142 °C. At Unit 2, the temperature at the bottom of the RPV fell to 97
°C from 100 °C reported in the Update provided yesterday.
Pumping of water from the turbine hall basement to the condenser is in
progress with a view to allowing power restoration activities to continue.
At Unit 3, plans are being made to pump water from the turbine building to
the main condenser but the method has not yet been decided. This should
reduce the radiation levels in the turbine building and reduce the risk of
contamination of workers in the turbine building restoring equipment.
No notable change has been reported in the condition of Unit 4.
Water is still being added to the spent fuel pools of Units 1 to 4 and efforts
continue to restore normal cooling functions.
28 March IAEA Situation Report
27 March IAEA Situation Report
26 March IAEA Situation Report
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Unit
Power (MWe /MWth)
Type of Reactor
1
2
3
4
5
6
460/1380
784/2381
784/2381
784/2381
784/2381
1100/3293
BWR-3
BWR-4
BWR-4
BWR-4
BWR-4
BWR-5
Status at time of EQ
In service – auto
shutdown
In service – auto
shutdown
In service – auto
shutdown
Outage
Core and fuel
integrity
Damaged
Damaged
Damaged
No fuel in the Reactor
RPV & RCS integrity
RPV temperature stable
RPV temperature
slightly increasing
RPV temperature stable
Not applicable due to
outage plant status
Containment integrity
No information
Damage suspected
Damage suspected
AC Power
AC power available Power to
instrumentation –
Lighting to Central
Control Room available
AC power available –
power to
instrumentation –
Lighting to Central
Control Room available
AC power available –
Lighting to Central
Control Room available
AC power available –
power to
instrumentation
Building
Severe damage
Slight damage
Severe damage
Severe damage
Water level of RPV
Around half of Fuel is
shown uncovered
(Stable)
Around half of Fuel is
uncovered (Stable)
Around half of Fuel is
uncovered (Stable)
Pressure of RPV
Slightly increasing
Stable
Stable
CV Pressure Drywell
Stable
Stable
Stable
Water injection to
RPV
Injection of freshwater
Injection of freshwater
Injection of freshwater
Water injection to CV
No information
No information
No information
Spent Fuel Pool
Status
No spraying reported
Seawater injection via
Cooling Line
Seawater injection via
Cooling Line and
Periodic spraying
Severe Condition
Concern
No Immediate Concern
Outage
Outage
Cold Shutdown
Being maintained
using off-site electrical
power and existing
plant equipment.
Cold Shutdown
Being maintained
using off-site
electrical power and
existing plant
equipment.
Not applicable due to
outage plant status
Seawater injection via
Cooling and Periodic
spraying
IAEA: Summary of Reactor Unit Status – 27 March
FUKUSHIMA DAIICHI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
UNIT
SITUATION
UNIT 1
Unit 1 experienced an explosion on March 12, after attempts to vent gas from the containment. The explosion destroyed the outer shell of the building’s upper floors. Coolant within Unit 1 is
covering about half of the fuel rods in the reactor, and Japanese authorities believe the core has been damaged. Official have been unable to measure temperature in the spent fuel storage
pool. 25 March, white smoke was confirmed to be emanating continuously from the reactor building. Water sample taken from the stagnant water on the basement floor of the turbine building
shows the presence of iodine-131, cesium-137 and cesium-134 to a level comparable to that measured in the turbine building of unit 3 where three workers were exposed to elevated levels of
radiation on 24 March. As of March 26 control center had light, however pressure in nuclear core remains high. Pure water pumping has been initiated replacing the sea water used
previously. Pooled water at the floor showed high levels of radioactivity. Fresh water continues to be injected into the reactor pressure vessel.
UNIT 2
Coolant within Unit 2 is covering about half of the fuel rods in the reactor, and Japanese authorities believe the core has been damaged. Power was restored to the building and inspection of
electrical equipment is underway. White smoke was seen emanating from the building on 21 March at 09:22 UTC, but has since died down, no new reports of smoke have been made. Efforts
to pump seawater into the reactor core continue. As of March 22 more than 58 tons of sea water have been pumped. Temperature continues to be monitored and is declining. As of 23:00
UTC 25 March, white smoke was confirmed to be emanating continuously from the reactor building. The spent fuel pool temperature increased and then stabilized at 57 degrees Celsius as
of 00:30 UTC 26 March. Local media reports power restoration to the control center is expected March 26.
UNIT 3
Unit 3 experienced an explosion on March 14 that destroyed the outer shell of the building’s 3 rd floor. Concern about possible damage to the primary containment vessel and spent fuel pool
remain. Helicopters began spraying water into the building on March 17. As of March 23, workers began injecting seawater into the spent fuel pool using the cooling and purification line. As
of March 24, about 3927 tons of seawater had been injected using this approach. Pressure as of March 21 in the container remained stable. The temperature in the spent fuel storage pool
remains unknown. As of March 26 the control center had lights. Fresh water is being injected into the reactor pressure vessel. The temperature at the bottom of reactor pressure vessel has
decreased to 100.4 degrees Celsius at 13:00 UTC 26 March. Seawater injection to the spent fuel pool is on-going. White smoke emanating from the reactor building was still being observed
as of 23:00 UTC 25 March. The dose rate in the reactor containment vessel and suppression chamber continued to decrease to 36.1sieverts per hour and 1.4sieverts per hour, respectively,
as of 13:00 UTC 26 March.
UNIT 4
UNITS 5 &
6
COMMON
SPENT
FUEL
POOLS
All fuel from Unit 4 had been removed from the reactor core for routine maintenance before the earthquake and placed into the spent fuel pool. The heat load in this pool is therefore larger
than in other pools. The building's outer shell was damaged on 14 March, causing sever damage to the buildings upper floors. Authorities remain concerned that structural damage may have
reduced cooling capabilities in the spent fuel pool. Workers began spraying water into the building on March 20. On March 22, workers began using a concrete truck to increase the amount
of sea water being delivered. More than 535 tons of sea water have been delivered to the spent fuel pool as of March 24. Electrical lines have been restored to the facility, and electrical
equipment is currently undergoing final inspection. From March 22 to March 25, 130 to 150 tons of seawater was poured into the spent fuel pool each day using a concrete pump. Sea water
was also poured in through spent fuel cooling system from 21:05 UTC 24 March to 01:20 25 March. White smoke was still being observed coming from the reactor building as of 23:00 UTC
25 March.
Shut down for routine maintenance before the earthquake. Instrumentation indicated rising temperatures at spent fuel pools starting March 14. Diesel generators were used to power basic
cooling and fresh-water replenishment systems. Both reactors achieved cold shutdown on 20 March. The reactors are now in a safe mode, with cooling systems in Unit 6 stable and under
control, and with low temperature and pressure within this reactor. Workers have opened holes in the roofs of both buildings to prevent hydrogen gas accumulation, which is suspected of
causing explosions at units 1 and 3. Outside power supply has been restored and used to replace diesel generators. Unit 5 continues to remain a concern. Coolant pump is undergoing
replacement after failure and is expected to be completed by March 24. Modest pool temperature increases were detected on March 23. The reactor remains in cold shutdown. Off-site power
has been restored. The reactor water temperature increased to 43.8 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the spent fuel pool increased to 42.8 degrees Celsius as of 02:00 UTC 26 March.
The Unit 6 reactor remains in cold shutdown. Off-site power has been restored. The reactor pressure vessel water temperature decreased to 21.3 degrees Celsius. The spent fuel pool water
temperature has slightly increased to 30.0 degrees Celsius.
In addition to pools in each of the plant's reactor buildings, authorities are also concerned about rising temperatures in the Common Use Spent Fuel Pool, where spent fuel is stored after
cooling for at least 18 months in the reactor buildings. Official confirmed fuel assemblies were fully covered by water on March 18. On 21 March, emergency workers sprayed water into the
pool for five hours. On 23 March, the pool’s temperature was around 57 degrees C. Electrical lines have been restored to the facility, and electrical equipment is currently undergoing final
inspection.
WHO Situation Report No. 15
IAEA Update 24 March 2011
WHO Situation Report No. 16
IAWA Update ((2100 UTC) 20 March 2011
RADIONUCLIDES IN FOOD
•
Two prefectures (Ibaraki, Tochigi) reported iodine-131 in unprocessed raw milk, but
the measurement results were below the regulation values set by the Japanese
authorities. In addition, iodine-131 was not detected in any of the samples taken from
the remaining four prefectures (Chiba, Gunma, Kanagawa and Saitama) and Tokyo.
Cesium-137 was not detected in any of the samples.
•
Deposition of radioactivity is monitored daily by Japanese authorities in all 47
prefectures. From 24 to 25 March, the daily level of deposition decreased in all but
one prefecture. The highest value was observed in the prefecture of Ibaraki, where on
25 March a deposition of 480 becquerel per square meter for iodine-131 was
observed; the highest value for cesium 137 was measured in Yamagata at 150
becquerel per square meter. For the Shinjyuku district of Tokyo, the additional
deposition of iodine-131 and cesium-137 on 25 March was below 200 becquerel per
square meter.
•
For two prefectures (Ibaraki, Tochigi) iodine-131 and cesium-137 were reported in
spinach and other leafy vegetables above the regulation values set by the Japanese
authorities. However, iodine-131 and cesium-137 were either not detected or were
below the regulation values, in all of the samples taken from the remaining four
prefectures (Chiba, Gunma, Kanagawa and Saitama) and Tokyo. In all six
prefectures and Tokyo, no iodine-131 and cesium-137 were detected in leeks, or
measurements were well below the regulation values set by the Japanese authorities.
•
The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Naoto Kan, has issued instructions to food business
operators to cease, for the time being, the distribution of, and for the public to cease
the consumption of, certain leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, komatsuna, cabbages)
and any flower head brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower) produced in Fukushima
Prefecture.
•
•
Seafood testing has been put in place for Ibaraki and Chiba Prefectures.
Many countries within and outside the Western Pacific Region have put in place food
control measures and testing to regulate food, milk, feed, etc.
NOTES:
Though radioactive iodine has a short half-life of about 8 days and decays
naturally within a matter of weeks, there is a risk to human health if I-131 is
ingested in food. Monitoring of levels in food and water is essential to ensuring
the safety of the population.
The presence of elevated radiation levels in food and water may impede nutrition
and hydration in the impacted areas, potentially exacerbating the health issues
already emerging in some locations (e.g. influenza, gastroenteritis, hypothermia).
IAEA Update: 26 March 2011 OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
FDA Radiation Safety: 23 March 2011
RADIONUCLIDES IN DRINKING WATER
Recommendations relating to the restriction of drinking water consumption, based on measured concentrations of iodine-131, remain in place in
seven locations (in one location for both adults and infants, and in six locations for infants).
DRINKING WATER
• The Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan guideline value for the restriction of
drinking water intake include: I-131 at or above 300 Bq/kg* and cesium-134 or
cesium-137 at or above 200 Bq/kg*.
FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE
• Levels of radionuclides found in samples taken from Itatemura exceeded
guideline values. Residents were advise to refrain from consuming drinkingwater.
• Levels of I-131 in drinking water samples collected from Date City, Kawamata,
Koriyama, Tamura, Minamisoma and Iwaki exceeded the guideline value for
use by infants. Residents were advised to use bottled water.
.OUTSIDE FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE
• Radioactive iodine was detected in treated water at water treatment facilities
surrounding Tokyo. Residents were advised to discontinue the use of tap water
for infants less than 1 year of age.
RESPONSE
• More than 240,000 of 500ml water bottles have already been distributed, with
priority given to families with an infant less than 1 year of age.
• MHLW has also suggested pregnant and breast-feeding women should adhere
to a guidance value of 100 Bq/kg or less.
• The UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned members of the general
public against self-medicating with potassium iodide (KI) or with products
containing iodide as a precaution against nuclear radiation. WHO advised that
KI should only be taken when there is a clear public health recommendation to
do so, as indiscriminate use can cause adverse side-effects.
A child holds a bottle of mineral water distributed to a
nursery in Tokyo a day officials reported that radioactive
iodine in the city's tap water measured more than twice the
level considered safe for babies. The label reads
"Emergency drinking water. Water collected at the foot of
Mount Fuji for storage.“
The Associated Press :March 24, 2011
*Japanese guideline values are an order of
magnitude lower than the internationally agreed
Operational Intervention Levels for I-131(3,000
Bq/kg), Cs-134(1,000 Bq/kg) and Cs-137(2,000
Bq/kg).
IAEA Updates: 26 March 2011
WHO FAQs: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
RADIONUCLIDES IN SEA WATER
Surveillance of seawater near the NPP sites indicates 1250 times above safety level (Iodine-131) for seawater at 330 m from Daiichi plant.
This is much higher than the 147 times safety level detected earlier on 23 March
•
On 23 March, the Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and
Technology (MEXT) began surveillance of coastal waters near the
Fukushima Daiichi NPP site. Air and seawater samples have been collected
on 23 and 24 March in coastal waters along transects that are separated by
10 km intervals. Sampling has been performed along each transect to a
distance of about 30 kms offshore. The results released by MEXT are
summarized on the right. Surveillance of seawater near the NPP sites
indicates 1,250 times above safety level (Iodine 131) for seawater at 330 m
from Daiichi plant. This is much higher than the 147 times safety level
detected earlier on 23 March.
•
New data for 21 to 25 March on radionuclide concentrations were made
available for the discharge area 330 meters south of the pipeline of
Fukushima Daiichi.
- The levels are generally quite high and vary significantly with time.
The highest levels were detected at 25 March with, for example,
50 000 becquerel per liter of iodine-131, 7,200 becquerel per liter of
cesium-137, and 7 000 becquerel per liter of cesium-134.
-
•
Other short lived radionuclides were also reported. No new data has
been reported by Japan from the monitoring stations located about
30 km offshore.
New data from monitoring of the marine environment, carried out from 24
March 22:55 UTC to 25 March 03:32 UTC about 30 km offshore, show a
decrease in both cesium-137 and iodine 131.
- The contamination at these locations is influenced by aerial
deposition of fallout as well as by the migration of contaminated
seawater from the discharge points at the reactor.
-
Values exceed maximum permissible concentrations
The measured radiation doses rates above the sea remain
consistently low (between 0.04 and 0.1 microsievert per hour). The
first results of model predictions received from the SIROCCO Group
at the University of Toulouse are being assessed.
IAEA Updates: 26 March 2011
WHO FAQs: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
NOTE:
•
The maximum permissible
concentrations in seawater
are 40 Bq/L for I-131 and 90
Bq/L for Cs-137. Values in
excess of the Iodine-131 limit
have been detected at
sampling points 1-3, 1-4, 2-1
and 2-2.
•
MEXT is continuing to monitor
the situation.
RADIOACTIVITY IN SOIL
• NHK reported on 25 March that Japanese authorities had
detected a concentration of a radioactive substance that
was 1,600 times higher than normal at a village 40
kilometers away from the Daiichi nuclear power plant in
Fukushima Prefecture.
• The disaster task force in Fukushima surveyed radioactive
substances in soil about 5 centimeters below the surface
at six locations around the plant from last Friday through
Tuesday.
• The results announced on Wednesday showed that 163
000 becquerels of radioactive Cesium-137 per kilogram of
soil has been detected in Iitate Village, about 40
kilometers northwest of the plant.
OCHA Sit Rep 13: 25 March 2011
WHO-WPRO SitRep No. 17: 26 March 2011
USAID Fact Sheet #13: 24 March 2011
IAEA Update: 26 March 2011
US Geological Survey
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
HEALTH CONCERNS
CURRENT RISK
• The Government of Japan’s recent actions in response to events
at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are in line with the
existing recommendations for radiation exposure. The
Government has evacuated individuals who were living within a
20-kilometre radius around the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Those
living between 20 km and 30 km from the plant are being asked
to shelter indoors. People living farther away are at lower risk
than those who live nearby.
RISK OF RADIOACTIVE EXPOSURE FROM FOOD
CONTAMINATION
• There is a risk of exposure as a result of contamination in food.
• However, contaminated food would have to be consumed over
prolonged periods to represent a risk to human health.
• The presence of radioactivity in some vegetables and milk has
been confirmed and some of the initial food monitoring results
show radioactive iodine detected in concentrations above
Japanese regulatory limits. Radioactive cesium has also been
detected. (See “Radionuclides in Food and Water” Slides for
add’l details)
BASELINE HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RADIATION
• Human beings are exposed to natural radiation (also known as
background radiation) on a daily basis
• On average, a person is exposed to approximately 3.0
millisieverts (mSv)/year, of which 80% (2.4 mSv) is due to
naturally-occurring sources (i.e., background radiation), 19.6 %
(almost 0.6 mSv) is due to the medical use of radiation and the
remaining 0.4% (around 0.01 mSv) is due to other sources of
human-made radiation.
WHO Japan Nuclear Concerns FAQ 25 March
WHO Japan Nuclear Concerns FAQ – Human Exposure 25 March
ACUTE HEALTH EFFECTS
• If the dose of radiation exceeds a certain threshold level, it can produce
acute effects, including skin redness, hair loss, radiation burns, and acute
radiation syndrome (ARS).
• In a nuclear power plant accident, the general population is not likely to be
exposed to doses high enough to cause such effects.
• Rescuers, first responders, and nuclear power plant workers are more likely
to be exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects.
LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS
• Exposure to high doses of radiation can increase the risk of cancer.
• Radioactive iodine can be released during nuclear emergencies. If
radioactive iodine is breathed in or swallowed, it will concentrate in the
thyroid gland and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Among persons
exposed to radioactive iodine, the risk of thyroid cancer can be lowered by
taking potassium iodide pills, which helps prevent the uptake of the
radioactive iodine.
• The risk of thyroid cancer following radiation exposure is higher in children
and young adults.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES (UPON EXPOSURE)
• If you are coming indoors after radiation exposure, undress in the doorway
to avoid further contamination in your home or shelter. Remove clothing and
shoes and place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and place it in a safe
location away from living areas, children, and pets.
• Shower or bathe with warm water and soap.
• Notify authorities that you may have contaminated clothing and personal
belongings to be handled appropriately and disposed of according to
accepted national procedures.
• Potassium iodide pills are not “radiation antidotes”. They do not protect
against external radiation, or against any other radioactive substances
besides radioiodine. They may also cause medical complications for some
individuals with poorly functioning kidneys. Potassium iodide should be
taken only when there is a clear public health recommendation
WHO Japan Nuclear Concerns FAQ – Health Effects 25 March
WHO Japan Nuclear Concerns FAQ– Protective Measures 25 March
HEALTH CONCERNS
(RADIATION)
POTENTIAL HEALTH CONCERNS TO TRACK
(HISTORICAL PRECEDENTS)
DRINKING WATER RADIATION GUIDELINE LEVELS (& RISK)
Although current conditions do not suggest an emergency on the same level as
the Chernobyl Accident, conditions to track may include the following:
•
Thyroid Cancer: A large increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer has
occurred among people who were young children and adolescents at the time
of the accident and lived in the most contaminated areas of Belarus, the
Russian Federation and Ukraine due to the high levels of radioactive iodine
released from the Chernobyl reactor in the early days after the accident.
Radioactive iodine was deposited in pastures eaten by cows who then
concentrated it in their milk subsequently drunk by children
•
Leukemia and non-thyroid solid cancers: Ionizing radiation is a known
cause of certain types of leukemia (a malignancy of blood cells). An elevated
risk of leukemia was first found among the survivors of the atomic bombings in
Japan some two to five years after exposure. Recent investigations suggest a
doubling of the incidence of leukemia among the most highly exposed
Chernobyl liquidators
•
General Mortality: At Chernobyl, 134 liquidators received radiation doses high
enough to be diagnosed with acute radiation sickness (ARS). Among them, 28
persons died in 1986 due to ARS. Other liquidators have since died but their
deaths could not necessarily be attributed to radiation exposure.
•
Cataracts: The lens of the eye is very sensitive to ionizing radiation and
cataracts are known to result from effective doses of about 2 Sv. The
production of cataracts is directly related to the dose. Chernobyl cataract
studies suggest that radiation opacities may occur from doses as low as 250
mSv.
•
Cardiovascular Disease: A large Russian study among emergency workers
has suggested an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in highly
exposed individuals
WHO Chernobyl Health Effects Fact Sheet April 2006
WHO Japan Nuclear Concerns FAQs- Drinking Water Safety
JUST IN TIME TRAINING
(Potential Health Effects from Radioactive Emissions)
Dr. David J. Brenner, Director
of the Center for Radiological
Research at the Columbia
University Medical Center,
provides a 30 minute primer
on radiation exposure,
addressing the scientific facts
and common
misconceptions.
His discussion focuses on
the damage at the
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant as well as the
implications of the
catastrophe on radiation
preparedness efforts in the
U.S.
http://crlc.adobeconnect.com/rad_jit/