The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has flown logistics experts to Japan to helporganise relief aid in response to the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami on March
11.“As the UN’s leading agency in emergency operations, WFP is deploying experts to help deliverassistance to shattered Japanese communities. This is in response to Japan’s request for help inmeeting epic logistical challenges,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
The experts in logistics and supply chain management will help facilitate swift movement ofrelief items to communities in need of clean water, food and shelter in the aftermath of thedevastating earthquake, the tsunami and the disruption caused by damage to nuclear facilities.
“Today WFP stands with Japan — one of the most generous humanitarian nations on earth that hasalways been there when others have needed help,” said Sheeran. “WFP’s emergency operation respondsto their request for help in meeting the epic logistical challenges they face in their heroicrescue efforts.”
As the lead logistics agency for the United Nations in emergency operations across the globe,WFP has built up decades of experience in delivering food and other relief items in challengingenvironments. Across the world, WFP is relied upon to provide transport for the entirehumanitarian community, moving goods and people across huge distances and often in hostile andremote environments.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) saidin its latest situation report for Japan that more than 350,000 evacuees are enduring cold weatherat more than 2,100 shelters in 16 districts as blankets and other relief supplies start to meetdemand. Half a million blankets have already been distributed.
In terms of international assistance, the Japanese government has so far accepted reliefsupplies from 14 countries after receiving offers from 128 countries and 33 internationalorganisations. But it added: “The government is identifying the needs and establishing a mechanismfor storage and transportation to affected people. Therefore, it is recommended not to send anyrelief goods without coordination with the government and local governments.” NGOs have been askedto wait before sending staff.
Nearly 22,000 people are dead or missing following the March 11 earthquake and resultingtsunami.
