[COG email blast] PDA Situation Report -Japan and Pacific United States

[admin at bpcog.org]

   Situation Report - Japan and Pacific United States

*March 11, 2011 Tsunami*

PDA stands ready to respond to needs from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that
struck Japan and the ensuing tsunamis across the Pacific rim.

The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon just off of Honshu,
Japan?s most populous island. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Japan
and has been identified as the fifth strongest earthquake in the world
since records have been kept.

Donna Derr, director of Church World Service?s development and humanitarian
programs,said: "Japan is obviously a country of substantive resources and a
construction industry that is renowned and the country has been on the
cutting edge of building earthquake-resistant housing.  As such, this bodes
well for them being able to manage a pretty effective recovery over time
themselves.

ACT Alliance reports that the Pacific Islands are highly vulnerable and
most of them will be touched by the tidal waves. ACT general secretary
John Nduna said today "We are deeply concerned about the most vulnerable
countries and their people, and we are monitoring the situation closely so
that ACT Alliance can direct its resources to where they are most needed,
as quickly as possible".

*Japan*

PC(USA) has mission partners in Japan.  World Mission is contacting mission
co-workers and partner organizations and churches and will offer updated
information as available.  .

Mission partner Yodogawa Christian Hospital in Osaka sent this message:

"Thank you so very much for your kind words and prayers. Thankfully, our
hospital patients and staff and their families are all safe, but our heart
aches as the earthquake disasters are spreading in other parts of Japan. We
are praying for God's protection and comfort over those people in the
earthquake affected areas. He is our refuge and fortress."


*United States*

PDA staff and National Response Team members are contacting potentially
affected presbyteries to offer assistance and prepare for potential
impacts.

For Health and welfare checks on American citizens traveling abroad, call
the State Department at (888) 407-4747.

For those concerned about loved ones living on the West Coast, Alaska and
Hawaii, the Red Cross maintains a searchable database at
www.safeandwell.org. Relatives can log on to leave their names that they
are safe and well; other relatives can search by name to check on their
loved ones.

*How you can help*

You can stand in the "GAP" for disaster survivors and help the church in
this response.

*GIVE*. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One
Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the
resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, clean up
provisions, long-term and unmet needs, and spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through your local Presbyterian congregation, by
calling Relationship Development Operations at (800) 872-3283 or by
sending a check to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Please include the special designated giving account DR000117  Japan
Earthquake and Tsunami.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving
channels.

*PRAY*. Please pray for those seeking emergency shelter and safety, those
seeking information about the security of their loved ones, and those who
are working to rescue survivors and offer assistance.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nine.pairlist.net/pipermail/allchurchemailblast/attachments/20110312/a0266472/attachment.htm>