DHL helped deliver festive cheer and gifts last month to people still affected by the impact ofthe March 2011 earthquake in north-east Japan.
The company again took part in the 100 Santa Clauses Project run by the Tono Magokoro Net, anon-profit organisation, to assist quake-affected people along the coastal communities of IwatePrefecture in Japan.
Like in 2011, Tono Magokoro Net dispatched volunteers dressed as Santa Claus to bring Christmascheer and gifts to residents in quake-affected areas, including families who had been evacuated toOsaka Prefecture from the Tohoku region. Some 23,000 gifts were distributed during December22-24.
DHL Japan said it expanded its support for the project in 2012, providing 1.8 million yen insponsorship, including 300,000 yen from Deutsche Post DHL’s Living Responsibility Fund, as well as400 boxes for packing gifts for the project.
DHL explained through this sponsorship, which started in 2011, it has been supporting commercialredevelopment of the region by procuring sweets and delivery services from wholesalers andtransportation services based in Iwate Prefecture. In addition to the cost of purchasing sweetgifts, the sponsorship contribution by DHL this year was allocated to logistics purposes, includingthe cost of running buses to transport volunteer Santa Clauses and temporary storage of the giftsbefore distribution.
DHL Japan President and Representative Director Taketo Yamakawa said: “Swift recovery from thedisaster is an effort undertaken by all industries in Japan, and DHL has carried out diverserestoration assistance projects as an international logistics company which supports businesslifelines. It is a great honour to support this project this year again, to bring smiles andcompassion to those in affected areas during the Christmas season. We will continue to engage inlong-term restoration activities to support affected regions in overcoming the disaster and findingpathways toward economic development.”
Ryo Yanagisawa, Tono Magokoro Net Santa project execution committee leader, added: “It has beenover a year and a half since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it proved even more difficult toraise funds this year. When considering this situation, it makes us deeply grateful that DHL hascontinued its support. Along with the volunteers who have gathered from across Japan, it has givenus a tremendous encouragement in showing that quake-affected areas have not been forgotten.”
Since the disaster, DHL has undertaken various efforts in supporting the recovery ofquake-affected areas, including supplies of emergency materials, providing deliveries for theEuropean Commission and the Japanese government and employee volunteer tours, as well as internalcharity auctions and sales fair for products from quake-affected areas.
On the Deutsche Post DHL Global Volunteer Day in September 2012, 50 employees participated in aweekend volunteer activity in Iwate and Miyagi Prefecture, organised with NPOs including TonoMagokoro Net for the second consecutive year.
