UNICEF|Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (60th report)
Deliver a book, create a smile.
The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project continues!

[MORIOKA, Japan, 20 May 2011]


© Japan Committee for UNICEF

The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project was launched on 25 March, two weeks after the earthquake and tsunami. Under this project, efforts were made to establish Child Friendly Spaces at shelters where children stayed and UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries packed with picture and children’s books. Currently, books donated from across Japan are being delivered to children in the disaster areas in accordance with the needs of each area and in response to requests from individuals mainly at preschools and kindergartens. As of 19 May, approximately 110,000 books had been shipped to more than 350 locations.

The staff that deliver the books say that this project has made them sense the power of books, as the children jump up and scream, “Look at all the books!” whenever they make a delivery. UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries are created using donations from people all over Japan and directly contribute to allowing children in the disaster area live happier lives.


© Japan Committee for UNICEF
The first delivery arrives at Aoba Junior High School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture on 4 April.		The principal of Shimoyahagi Preschool in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture, reads a book to some children. One boy jumped for joy when told, “Look, you got your favorite book back.”

Moreover, on 10 May, the “Chakkoi” Picture Book Library was started inside the Daini Primary School in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. The way that the children sped through the books spoke for how badly then wanted them. The children were heard saying, “I can finally read books again!” and “I had this book at my house!” One teacher smiled and said, “It makes me feel happy every time I walk past the library.” Creators from Dentsu cooperated in the creation of this colorful and fun picture book library.


© Japan Committee for UNICEF
The “Chakkoi” Picture Book Library opened on 10 May in Daini Primary School in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture.

Below are some of the messages of support delivered along with the books from across Japan to the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU), as well as the kind replies of some of the recipients of the books.

Messages from donors delivered together with books (excerpts)

It was painful to see the newspapers and TV. But it gave me the urge to do something myself, even if it was something small.
I know things must be so hard, but don’t lose sight of the light, don’t lose hope, and take precious care of your life. I hope that these books will be a ray of light in your life.
I am sending many different genres of books from my house. I have a sentimental attachment to all of them, but I hope that they will help the children.
I had been gradually collecting these books in hopes to one day start my own library. I hope that they are given to as many children as possible.
To children in Tohoku: These are my books. I would be happy if you accept them.
I pray from the bottom of my heart that the children that have lived through such a painful experience will be able to take these books and, even if only a little, be able to smile and be happy.
To everyone reading these picture books: I am always thinking about you. Please don’t worry, because you are not alone. Even though we’ve never met, I will continue to think of you like you were my own child.

Messages from recipients of books (excerpts)

The children immediately began to come to me with books requesting that I read them to them. After I read some to them, they chose the ones they like and asked me to read them again. The books gave the children and myself a chance to relax. We stay in a large complex, and are now telling our neighbors that we can lend them the books, too. I will make sure that everyone takes good care of the books.
Thank you for sending so many wonderful books. The children practically devoured them! It was obvious that you took time in preparing books from various different genres. I was very surprised. It showed me that I cannot let this painful experience get the best of me. I thank you all deeply for this heartfelt effort.
Once I opened the box I saw famous books that I used to read to my children, books I read to the kids today and even books that I had hoped to read to them one day. So many books! Everyone was so happy and cheered at the sight of so many books. Thank you so much.
I had intended to read the books for the sake of the children, but as I read them, it was I that felt a sense of relief. Children’s books carry with them so much power. Every day we face the challenge of overcoming this feeling of dullness and despair brought on by the disaster, but this has given us energy again. Thank you very much.
All of our books, and everything else, was washed away in the tsunami. The box of books that you sent included some of the children’s favorites. Smiles filled everyone’s faces the second I opened the box. We will take great care of these books.

JCU is now accepting requests for UNICEF Mini Children’s Library sets. Please click here for more information.

Current arrival status of relief supplies

Receiving Prefecture	Type of Emergency Supplies	Arrival Date	Quantity	Donating Company	Comments
Miyagi	Water	19 Mar.	12,288 bottles	VanaH Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Fukushima	Water	22 Mar.	12,672 bottles	VanaH Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi	Underwear for boys and girls	22 Mar.	200,000
Iwate	Underwear for boys and girls	23 Mar.	30,000
Fukushima	Water	23 Mar.	4,680 bottles	KIRIN MC DANONE WATERS Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi	Children’s shoes	23 Mar.	10,000 pairs
Miyagi	Children’s diapers	24 Mar.	80 packs	P&G Japan
Iwate	Children’s underwear	24 Mar.	9,700
Fukushima	Water	24 Mar.	12,288 bottles	VanaH Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Iwate	Shoes	26 Mar.	1,404 pairs	Achilles Corporation
Iwate	Underwear for boys and girls	27 Mar.	28,266
Iwate	Boots	27 Mar.	7,462 pairs
Iwate	Wipes	28 Mar.	1,200	P&G Japan	For babies
Miyagi	Recreation kits Early Childhood Development kits	2 Apr.	50 of each		Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate	Recreation kits Early Childhood Development kits	2 Apr.	50 of each		Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi	Book bags	6 Apr.	70	Nihon New Bag Chain
Iwate	Book bags	6-7 Apr.	340	Seiban
Miyagi	Schoolbags	8 Apr.	18,000		Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Iwate	Schoolbags	8 Apr.	18,000		Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division
Miyagi	Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes)	8 Apr.	5,000
Iwate	Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes)	8 Apr.	5,000
Miyagi	Minicar	8 Apr.	3 cars
Miyagi	Nutritional supplements	From early April	4,000 bottles
Fukushima	Water	11 Apr.	1,536 bottles	VanaH Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi	Replenishments for recreation kits	12 Apr.	60 sets
Miyagi	Miniature toy cars	12 Apr.	Approx. 1,200	TAKARA TOMY
Sagamihara*	Water	12 Apr.	12,288 bottles	VanaH Co., Ltd.	Two-liter plastic bottles
Miyagi	Play mats	13 Apr.	Two types; 80 of each type	IKEA
Miyagi	Drawing sets	13 Apr.	60 sets	IKEA
Iwate	Preschool-size chairs, tables and low tables	14 Apr.	75 chairs; 11 tables; 9 low tables		Donated to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Miyagi	Mopeds	15 Apr.	5
Iwate	Notebooks and stationery sets for primary and junior high school students	15. Apr.	16,700 sets
Miyagi	183 computers; 57 copiers and fax machines; 61 printers	18-21 Apr.			Distributed to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations
Fukushima	Movable blackboards	21 Apr.	10
Fukushima	Temporary toilets	22 Apr.	20
Iwate	Geiger counters	28 Apr.	14		For schools in Soma City
Iwate	Dressing room/ breastfeeding partition system	28 Apr.	21 sets
Saitama*	Milk	From late April			Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Saitama*	Yogurt	From early May		Danone Japan	Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City
Iwate	Color pencils (120 sets) and paint (240 sets)	13 May
Iwate	Student lamps	14 May	15
Iwate	Stationery sets	16 May	840 sets
Fukushima	Lockers	16 May	22 sets		For the Board of Education of Minamisoma City
Fukushima	Computers	16 May	1		Ishikawa Town Board of Education

Number of UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries distributed: Approximately 110,000 books to over 350 locations (as of 16 May 2011)

*Areas receiving disaster victims.

*In certain cases some supplies may be taken from prefectural supply storage warehouses and distributed to shelters and disaster sites in other prefectures.
As of 9:00 a.m. on 16 May 2011 (compiled by the Information and Public Affairs Division).

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (60th report) Deliver a book, create a smile. The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project continues!

Messages from donors delivered together with books (excerpts)

Messages from recipients of books (excerpts)

Current arrival status of relief supplies

Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Emergency Relief (60th report)
Deliver a book, create a smile.
The UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project continues!