[Tokyo, March 16, 2011]
In the wake of the 2011 Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake that occurred on March 11 (JST), the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Japan and Ambassadors of the Japan Committee for UNICEF released official messages for disaster victims and the people of Japan.
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| © Japan Committee for UNCIEF/2011/K.shindo |
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to everyone who has been affected by this tragic earthquake and tsunami. I cannot begin to imagine the hardship you have been through.
I have something to ask of all the adults involved at this difficult time. In a situation that even you as adults must find difficult to cope with, children are suffering tremendous stress after experiencing or hearing about the overwhelming destruction caused. They may put on a brave face and act normally, but underneath they feel confused and are in distress. Please give a hug to the children around you and talk to them gently. Talk to them and play with them as much as you can, and help them get back to normal life as soon as possible.
To children
You must have been feeling so scared. But please don’t worry, it’s going to be OK. People around the world are thinking of you and helping as much as they can. It’s OK if you feel sad and that everything is tough right now. Those are natural feelings. And it’s OK to tell people around you how you feel. You don’t have to hold back. I’m praying that soon you will be able to get back to how things were before. With love.
Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
I’d like to send out my deepest sympathy and prayers. The earthquake and tsunami claimed so many precious lives in such a short time. When I think of the victims of this disaster, filled with anxiety and facing an uncertain future, it brings tears to my eyes.
Many of the victims are children. Many of them have lost family members and friends. Their lives as evacuees may last for a long time. These physically and psychologically devastated children need our help.
With my friends and colleagues, I will put my heart and soul into helping the victims of this disaster in whatever way I can. I will devote myself to doing everything possible in my power to bring safety and peace of mind back to the children in the disaster-stricken areas.
We need to be resolute and hopeful, and unite our efforts to overcome this crisis and together build a stronger, more beautiful Japan. Children are our future. I will do everything I can to nurture the power of children to move toward the future.
Thank you for help and support for UNICEF activities.
Agnes Chan, Ambassador of the Japan Committee for UNICEF
For many years, the Japan Committee for UNICEF has been supporting the advocacy movement for the protection of children in many countries around the world. But now, children in Japan in the areas hit by this terrible earthquake are receiving support through UNICEF. I am deeply grateful for this.
The Japan Committee for UNICEF would like to mobilize as much support as possible from every corner of Japan. For this reason, we have started the “Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief” campaign. Please make a donation and help us in our work.
Shigeaki Hinohara, Ambassador of the Japan Committee for UNICEF
The Japan Committee for UNICEF has provided 100 million yen for immediate support activities. Within the next few days, the Committee will start its activities, including supply of relief goods to shelters in disaster hit areas in cooperation with UNICEF and the prefectural subdivisions and partner organizations there.