Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

    On March 11, 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck just offshore of the Tohoku area of Northeastern Japan. In addition to causing devastation to a widespread area, this earthquake also produced a tsunami that simply washed away many communities along the northeastern coast. Initial estimates predicts loss of life in the tens of thousands with many more unaccounted for and an even larger number homeless. The earthquake and tsunami also badly damaged several nuclear reactors in the region with the Fukushima Daiichi plant causing what US officials are calling at least a partial meltdown, a disaster not seen since Three Mile Island.

    Survivors here face an uncertain future. The search for survivors and the even grimmer search for the dead continue. The tsunami has wiped out many communities altogether and the nuclear crisis poses a continuing health hazard hampering both search and rescue and rebuilding efforts.