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April 01, 2011
Condolences From Around the World Pour in Following the March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami-JICA
March 24, 2011
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has received more than 3,000 messages of condolence and support from around the world in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami which devastated coastal parts of Japan.
The messages from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania and South and Central America came from presidents, government ministries, international organizations, JICA partners and many individuals who have received training in Japan.
Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman expressed his condolences to the families of victims and hoped that “Japan will be able to overcome the disaster with the combined efforts of the government and people.”
“We would like to express our solidarity to all our colleagues at JICA and the people of Japan following the tragic loss of human life and extensive destruction suffered in the devastating earthquake,” wrote Martin Rivero Illa, director of Uruguay’s International Cooperation Department. “We are pleased to give any kind of support you may need (and) as much as possible.”
The Maldive Islands suffered massive damage during the 2004 tsunami which devastated many areas of the Indian Ocean and Pacific and Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed visited JICA’s local office to express his sympathy. He offered food to affected areas in Japan, noting that his country has received major support in various fields from Japan in the past.
One official from the Kosovo Security Force who had undergone a three month training course in search and rescue in Osaka, cabled that JICA office: “My unit is ready to support the Japanese people with the skills which I learned there. We are with you.”
A girls’ school which was destroyed during an October 2005 earthquake in northern Pakistan and subsequently rebuilt with Japanese support sent a photograph showing a group of students and a banner expressing their solidarity with Japan.
In addition to messages of condolence, mourning ceremonies and vigils were held in many parts of the world.
The day after the earthquake struck, lamplight ceremonies were held at Tibetan Buddhist temples in Bhutan.
Peru declared a day of national mourning on March 18 and flags were lowered to half-mast at state and military facilities.
In Turkey, flags were also lowered to half mast. Normally this ceremony is performed only once a year, on the anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.
JICA provides technical assistance, grant aid and yen loans in an estimated 150 countries around the world. Ironically, in view of the disaster which struck Japan itself earlier this month, assistance often includes providing rescue, medical teams and emergency supplies to areas hit by natural disasters and other projects to provide countries with early warning systems and help them construct earthquake resistant buildings.
http://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/field/2010/20110324_01.html
Posted by jicafriends at April 1, 2011 11:31 AM