An IDF aid delegation landed in Japan on Sunday evening, and is making its way to the Miyagi district, which was hit by the deadly tsunami that slammed into the country more than two weeks ago. The delegation will run a temporary clinic in the area. The Japanese government has set up buildings in which the clinic will be run. Members of the IDF team will provide
their own food and water.
The clinic is expected to remain open for approximately one month.
On Saturday night, senior IDF officers and Japanese officials in Israel saw off the delegation at Ben-Gurion airport. Japan's Ambassador to Israel Haruhisa Takeuchi thanked the team as it prepared to leave.
"The main goal of this delegation is to provide humanitarian aid, and to ease the immense suffering along with returning to normal life," said Major-General Yair Golan. He wished success to the delegates, adding, "Do good work and give assistance wherever you can."
An initial team left for Japan last week in order to assess needs in advance of the second delegation's arrival. Non-governmental Jewish groups have rushed to provide aid as well. Japan's Chabad-Lubavitch emmissaries remained in the country throughout the disaster to provide physical and spritual assistance, with some venturing out to the hardest-hit areas in order to assist in rescue efforts.
Japan was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11. The earthquake was followed by a massive tsunami that struck quickly, leaving many with no time to run for safety. More than 25,000 people remain missing or have been confirmed dead in the twin disasters, and many others were left homeless.
via israelnn.com
