In light of the lasting impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake which triggered a powerful tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Caritas Japan has a profound understanding and experience of the urgency to live in the spirit of integral ecology as one human family.
It has been over a decade since the disaster yet its impact on the environment and on the local communities is still present. Over 18,000 people died as a result of this extreme case of environmental degradation. In a 2019 meeting with survivors of the Fukushima “triple disaster”, Pope Francis emphasised the importance for the people of Japan to build a culture of care and communities of care throughout the country.
“Without basic resources such as food, clothing and shelter, it is not possible to live a worthy life and have the bare minimum needed to succeed in rebuilding. This, in turn, calls for experiencing the solidarity and support of a community. No one ‘rebuilds’ by himself or herself; nobody can start over alone. We have to find a friendly and fraternal hand, capable of helping to raise not just a city, but also our horizon and our hope,” said Pope Francis.
Caritas Japan supported survivors, their families, and local communities through a range of support services and activities through their parishes and schools. Communities of care were established where local people were learning, praying and healing together. House visits and providing space for people to gather and chat were the main activities carried out by Caritas volunteers.
Since 2011, approximately 31,000 volunteers within and beyond Japan have participated in group activities to support survivors and maintain human relationships. Other assistance provided included: psychological and physical care of the victims, accepting evacuees, taking care of children in the affected areas for summer vacation, supporting the increased number of survivors of domestic violence, and supporting the elderly living alone.
President of Caritas Japan and Caritas Asia, Archbishop Isao Kikuchi, expressed his sincere gratitude to all people “who showed their willingness to support Japan during the time of this disaster with prayers, messages and donations”. According to the bishop, never had Caritas in Japan received a more enthusiastic response for donations and volunteers.
“The Catholic Church was a locally rooted presence even before the disaster and after the disaster we aimed to create hope for life not only in temporary relief efforts, but also in the future,” said Archbishop Kikuchi. He said the activities of charity of the past 10 years helped parish communities realise that “communal action of charity” is an essential part of the Church together with prayer and evangelisation.
For Caritas Japan, the relief activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake was clear evidence that humans are part of nature, and the importance of sharing a vision of a society that supports and feels responsible for others now and for future generations. Over one decade on since the disaster, Caritas Japan continues to be present in the area as, alongside the Church, there are people in need still present there.