Web Update
Friday, March 11, 2011
A massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan this morning. It unleashed a major tsunami which has caused major damage in the country. CARE staff in the Tokyo office has felt the tremor, but no one was hurt. CARE is unlikely to respond since Japan is a major industrial economy with experienced earthquake response measures in place. However, new information is coming in by the hour. In the Philippines, CARE’s partner organization has assisted five villages on the coast to evacuate inhabitants. CARE offices in Asia are on high alert and have ensured that staff are informed of the tsunami warnings. CARE’s emergency staff are on stand by and ready to assist should the tsunami hit the coasts of developing nations such as Indonesia or Papua New Guinea.
About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Working side by side with poor people in 70 countries, CARE helps empower communities to address the greatest threats to their survival. Women are at the heart of CARE’s efforts to improve health, education and economic development because experience shows that a woman’s achievements yield dramatic benefits for her entire family. CARE is also committed to providing lifesaving assistance during times of crisis, and helping rebuild safer, stronger communities afterward. We advocate for policies that defend the dignity of all people and promote the eradication of poverty.