UNA-UK was deeply saddened at news of the devastation wrought by the magnitude 8.9 earthquake which hit Japan on 11 March. Initial reports emerging from the country indicate that at least 2,000 people have been killed by the quake and the tsunami that followed. That toll is expected to increase as the rescue and relief effort continues.
A UN disaster team arrived in Japan today. The seven-member UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) unit will set up an onsite operations centre to help Japanese authorities disseminate accurate and timely information on the disaster and the emergency efforts. Local Japanese officials have also asked the International Atomic Energy Agency to dispatch a team of nuclear safety experts as fears grow over conditions at the Fukushima reactors.
UNA-UK’s Head of Policy & Communications, Natalie Samarasinghe, commented: ‘the heartfelt thoughts of everyone at UNA-UK are with Japan at this difficult time, and we express our concern and deepest sympathy to all who have been affected. We welcome the UN's swift response and we encourage the UK and other states to provide all the help they can, both in terms of humanitarian assistance and expertise.'
