Japan--One Year Later--In Memory of that Fatal 9.0 Earthquake/Tsunami/ Nuclear Disaster

One year ago, Japan was hit with the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that killed as many as 20,000 people and displaced 300,000. March 11, 2011 forever altered the country's landscape and the lives of its people.

But thanks to supporters like you, Mercy Corps and our partner Peace Winds Japan quickly responded with emergency relief including tents, bottled water, food and clothing that helped 148,000 survivors get back on their feet. We helped reopen shops and bus routes to speed the return of essential commerce, and we provided space and tools for children and caregivers to begin healing from the trauma.

Read our Japan: One-Year Progress Report to learn more.

The rebuilding process will continue for years to come, but Japan's resilience and optimism in the face of tragedy will move the country forward.

Today, we're helping residents of hard-hit coastal towns revive their economies. The generosity of our supporters has allowed us to jumpstart small businesses and key fishing industries along Japan's northeastern coast:

• More than 400 women have returned to their jobs processing wakame seaweed, a staple of the Japanese diet, thanks to new equipment. Read more ›

• We helped rebuild the fish hatchery in Minamisanriku, which processes more salmon than anywhere else in Japan. View the infographic ›

• Small business owners are rehiring workers and reopening their doors thanks to new loans and grants. Watch the video ›

  Together, we've helped tens of thousands of Japan's tsunami survivors recover and thrive. Thank you for all your efforts over the past year to help make this possible.

  Sincerely,

  
  

  Neal Keny-Guyer
  Mercy Corps CEO
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 In Memory of all those in Japan who lost their lives a year ago today.