[TOKYO, JAPAN, 16 December 2011]
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| Mr. Lee accepting a letter of appreciation. |
In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) received assistance across the world, including from the Republic of Korea. In order to express its gratitude for this assistance, today, 16 December, JCU presented a letter of appreciation addressed to the people of the Republic of Korea to Special Representative and Goodwill Ambassador Lee Byung-hun on his visit to Japan.
Mr. Lee arrived at the UNICEF House just after 11:00 in the morning, and was greeted by about 100 children who were visiting for a tour from Kawasaki City, in addition to JCU staff and volunteers. Mr. Lee was briefed on the activities of JCU by Executive Director Ken Hayami, and after accepting a letter of appreciation, Mr. Lee delivered a message to disaster victims in the affected areas: “Even now, after so much time has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is still difficult for me to express in words my feelings about the disaster. The one thing that I can say, though, is that it is exactly times like these when you cannot lose hope and when others will help you. Stay strong and don’t lose heart.”
“I am very grateful to receive this letter of appreciation from the Japan Committee for UNICEF, an organization working tremendously hard to support people.”
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| On his way out, Mr. Lee viewed “Happy Birthday 3.11”, a photo exhibit on display on the first floor of the UNICEF House that introduces photos of children born in the disaster areas on 11 March 2011. | JCU Executive Director Ken Hayami provides a report of assistance activities to Mr. Lee. |
All photo credits: © Japan Committee for UNICEF