YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT (JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI ) MAP KEY LINKS BACKGROUND

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN Government of Japan website:

http://www.kantei.go.jp

SITUATION EARTHQUAKE

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RELIEFWEB UNICEF International Nuclear Safety Center Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System WHO

TSUNAMI NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN US RESPONSE UN RESPONSE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HEALTH

US GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS The Department of State U.S Embassy in Japan State Dept.'s DipNote on Twitter State Dept. Background Note U.S. Agency for International Development OFDA Library of Congress Country Study - Japan CIA World Fact Book The Department of Defense The Department of Homeland Security The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC- Tsunami CDC-Earthquake CDC-Radiation Emergencies EPA FEMA Blog US Geological Survey NOAA Center for Tsunami Research NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center PORTALS All Partners Access Network (APAN) Tsuanmi and earthquake survivors shelter at an evacuation center at Kamaishi city, Iwate prefecture on March 16, 2011. (Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images)

Message to American Citizens from Ambassador John V. Roos - March 17

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other experts have reviewed the scientific and technical information in response to the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Consistent with the NRC guidelines that apply to such a situation in the U.S., we are recommending, as a precaution, that American citizens who live within 50 miles (80 km) of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors, if safe evacuation is not practical.

AS OF: 1230 EST 17 MARCH 2011

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI

BACKGROUND

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI

• On 11 Mar 2011 05:46 UTC, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck 400km (250 miles) north-east of Tokyo off the coast of Japan, triggering a tsunami. Because the earthquake’s hypocenter, or rupture point, was 24.4 kilometers (15.2 miles) deep, it is considered a shallow earthquake, the most dangerous type of quake. (This magnitude places the earthquake as the fourth largest in the world since 1900 and the largest in Japan since modern instrumental recordings began 130 years ago.) • The quake was the fifth-largest in the world since 1900 and nearly 8,000 times stronger than the one which devastated Christchurch, New Zealand, last month • 439,335 people have been evacuated and rescue operations are ongoing.

DEATH AND DESTRUCTION

•

As of 17 March , the Government of Japan confirmed that 5,178 people have died and another 2,285 are injured. The number of people who are missing has increased to 8,913 from 7,844.

• Many communities remain isolated due to inundation from the tsunami waves. The people living in the earthquake and tsunami affected areas along the North East of Japan are now faced with another element to this emergency: snow, rain and extraordinary cold weather. • Thousands of households have been without electricity since 11 March. Concerns are for those who still have not been reached by rescue workers as well as half a million people now living in evacuation centers. • The primary humanitarian needs remain food, safe drinking water, blankets, medical supplies, fuel, and sanitation infrastructure, which the GoJ and private sector in Japan are urgently mobilizing to the affected areas.

NUCLEAR EMERGENCY

• Another fire broke out in one of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant the morning of 16 March forcing the withdrawal of all workers at the plant and suspending work due to a rise in radiation levels. • This is the fourth explosion at the earthquake damaged plant since Saturday.

• Officials said radiation levels in Tokyo were higher than normal but not at levels dangerous to humans. • The problems with the cooling systems in both Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini continue. Temporary measures for the cooling systems are in place. The state of emergency declared still remains.

• The Government of Japan has declared a State of Atomic Power Emergency in relation to the Fukushima nuclear power plants. • Emperor Akihito has made a public statement that he is deeply worried about the crisis his country is facing.

NOTE: The earthquake in Japan subsequently triggered a tsunami and a nuclear emergency, with each presenting related but distinct impacts on the region.

OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011 WHO WPRO SitRep #7: 16 March 2011 (Shiho Fukada/The New York Times) Firefighters make their way through the devastation after the tsunami from last week's earthquake destroyed the Shishiori township of Kesennuma in the Miyagi prefecture of Japan, March 16, 2011. (Shiho Fukada/The New York Times) NOAA Ctr for Tsunami Rsch USAID Fact Sheet #5: 15 March 2011

SITUATION

• Search and Rescue remains the priority in affected areas, but operations are hampered by lack of access as well as by continuing aftershocks . • Many communities are still stranded due to tsunami inundation. Conditions are exacerbated by winter weather, with snow, rain and extraordinary cold weather . The main humanitarian needs continue to be food, drinking water, blankets, medical supplies, fuel, and sanitation • Large amounts of humanitarian aid have been gathered nationwide, but the largest obstacle has been transporting it to the 430,000 homeless who are now sheltering in evacuation centers. The Government has been working around the clock to restore land, air and sea access. To date, 18 main routes, five airports and six ports have been restored for aid delivery near and in the affected areas. However, a lack of fuel is making it difficult to deliver the assistance to each evacuation center. In an effort to solve this problem, the Government has established a centralized delivery scheme which involves local governments collecting the aid and the Defense Force then delivering it to the evacuation centers..

HOSPITALS

• 145 of the 170 hospitals designated for acute disaster emergencies are fully operational in Tokyo and Tohoku. Of the 145 hospitals, 27 are at capacity. • Miyagi Prefecture: among the 14 designated disaster response hospitals, 8 are operational. • Fukushima Prefecture: among the 8 designated disaster response,4 are operational. • 2 of 7 hospitals in Sendai are operational.

HEALTH

• There is increasing concern about the health of the evacuees. In Fukushima Prefecture, 14 people evacuated from hospitals have died to date, most of them elderly. • The lack of medical supplies and heating equipment is a concern. According to doctors deployed to the affected regions, many of the evacuees have fallen ill, have diarrhea and other illnesses caused by the freezing weather, lack of clean water and sanitation. • The Minister of State for Disaster Management has announced that from 17 March, services for those people living in evacuation centres will be prioritized. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will take the lead in providing essential health services and assistance for the elderly, children and pregnant women. • The Minister also asked that treatment be made available for post-traumatic stress disorder among the affected population as well as rescue teams.

SITUATION CURRENT ASSESSMENT

•

COMMUNICATION

: 863 300 telephone lines remain out of service. 6 500 base stations of NTT, Soft Bank and KDDI mobile companies are not working. Telephone services remain variable; disaster messaging service in operation through mobile phone providers. •

WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE :

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 1.6 million households are still without water in 12 prefectures which is same figure reported yesterday. A total of 320,000 households in Fukushima, 450,000 households in Miyagi, 110,000 in Iwate, and 660,000 households in Ibaraki do not have water. The actual number of households without water may be higher as some areas have not been reached. •

ELECTRICITY AND GAS:

The Government of Japan reported that 621,439 households are without electricity and 467,773 households are without gas. •

Shelter:

The six most affected prefectures have a total population of about 16.9 million people. To date, approximately 430,000 have been evacuated from these areas and are currently living in temporary shelters across seven prefectures. Other prefectures not affected by the emergency are offering to take some of the Evacuees.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS:

• Ten nuclear reactors automatically shut down in 3 power plants of a total of 13 reactors. The three power plants are: Onagawa (Miyagi), Daiichi and Daini (Fukushima). Daiichi and Daini are 11.5 km apart; Onagawa is ~100 km from Daiichi and Daini plants. Majority of > 200,000 people have been evacuated. Among 190 people suspected of being exposed to radiation following Daiichi Reactor No. 1's explosion, 22 residents confirmed with detectable radiation levels. Officials have distributed 230,000 units of stable iodine to evacuation centers around Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants. The prepositioning of iodine is a precautionary measure in the event of a significant nuclear meltdown and has not been administered to residents •

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant:

Efforts to cool the earthquake damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant continue. Special Defence Force helicopters and police water cannon trucks have spent the day spraying sea water onto the nuclear power plant in an attempt to cool the plant’s reactors. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, is expected to arrive in Japan shortly. The IAEA says Japanese authorities have reported concerns about the condition of the spent nuclear fuel pool at the plant. Concerned about potential radiation exposure, the U.S. military has announced it will not allow its troops within 80 km of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

NOTE: Assessment metrics to the right are for the impacted areas. The overall infrastructure outside of the affected areas remains strong.

G Not a Major Concern Currently A Working But Inadequate R Generally Ineffective B Non-Functional Or Destroyed Unknown

MEDICAL OPERATIONS

JAPAN A JAPAN R A R B B B B A A

OVERALL PH/MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

R B R

Tectonic Setting Epicentral Region Did You Feel It?

Seismic Hazard

M9.0 Great Tohoku Tectonic Summary Significant Earthquakes Mag>7.5

Finite Fault Model

UGSG Earthquake Summary Maps

M 9.0 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

Earthquake Shaking Alert Level: RED Friday, March 11th, 2011 at 05:46:23 UTC (14:46:23 local) Location: 38.3 N, 142.4 E , Depth: 24km,

USGS

Estimated Modified Mercalli Intensity

I Estimated Population Exposed to Earthquake Shaking II-III IV V VI

VII VIII

Est. Population Exposure Perceived Shaking ---* Not Felt 399k* Weak 18,660k* Light none 16,483k* Moderate V. Light 11,014k* Strong Light 37,706k* Very Strong Moderate 6,636k* Severe

IX

31k* Violent

X

0 Extreme Moderate/Heavy Heavy V. Heavy Resistant none Potential Structure Damage Vulnerable none

Population Exposure

Population per ~1 sq. km. from LandScan

none none none Light Moderate Moderate/Heavy Heavy V. Heavy V. Heavy

NOTE:

•

Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquakes, though some vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are non-ductile reinforced concrete frame and heavy wood frame construction.

•

Estimated fatalities include only seismic related fatalities, these estimates do not take into account fatalities due to tsunami.

Estimated Fatalities Selected Cities Exposed

from GeoNames Database of Cities with 1,000 or more residents .

MMI

VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VIII VII VII VII VII VII

City

Sendai Hitachi Ishinomaki Shiogama Iwanuma Watari Tokyo Yokohama Chiba Utsunomiya Fukushima

Population

1,038k 186k 117k 60k 42k 36k 8,337k 3,574k 920k 450k 294k

Estimated Economic Losses

SITUATION

(Tsunami)

• A 9.0 magnitude earthquake (updated from the 8.8 magnitude, by Japan Meteorological Agency on 13 March) occurred 11 Mar 2011 in Japan at 05.46.23 UTC, hitting the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan. The worst affected area is the east coast of Tohoku Prefecture.

• The initial tsunami that swept over Japan’s northeastern coast was reportedly as high as 33 feet at the port of Sendai. The prefecture capital is located some 180 miles (300 km) from Tokyo. The tsunami waves reportedly reached as far as six miles (10 km) inland in Miyagi. The Sendai domestic airport is submerged. Strong tsunami waves also hit Fukushima prefecture, causing widespread damage to coastal communities.

( The National Meteorological Agency has now reported that the highest tsunami wave on the 11 March was 15 meters (50 feet) high in Mekawa, Miyagi – twice as high as the 7.3 meter waves earlier reported)

• On 14 March, a magnitude 6 aftershock triggered a three-meter tsunami in the north-east of Japan. • The worst affected areas are the prefectures along the north-eastern coast, including Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibraki and Chiba. The pre-crisis population of these five prefectures was 14.8 million people, of whom 1.6 million live within five km of the coast.

• Evacuation centers have been set up in the tsunami affected areas in the north-east. More than 430,000 people have been evacuated from Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate, Tochigi and Aomori prefectures. Evacuation centers face a shortage of potable water, food, blankets and bathing facilities, which is being addressed by the Government. • The people living in affected areas of North Japan are now faced with another element to the emergency in the form of rain, snow, and extraordinarily cold weather. Concerns are for those who still have not been reached by rescue workers as well as half a million people now living in evacuation centers; many do not have protective clothing or blankets and heating is insufficient. The cold weather is expected to last until the end of the week.

NOTES:

•

The tsunami following the earthquake was the primary cause of major damage to the region.

•

Tsunamis caused by aftershocks continue to be of concern to the impacted area.

•

Cold weather is exacerbating the emergency due to shortages of fuel and lack of electricity. OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011 COE-DMHA Update: 15 March 2011

SITUATION

(NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS)

• As of 16 March, four of the six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, 250 km (155 miles northeast of Tokyo, have now overheated and sparked explosions . The fourth fire occurred in Unit 4 of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant at 20:45 UTC of 15 March. The fire lasted around two hours and was confirmed to be extinguished at 02:00 UTC. The fire forced the withdrawal of all of the plant workers, suspending work due to a rise in radiation levels. • As of 12:00 UTC 15 March, the water level in Unit 5 at Fukushima Daiichi had fallen to 201 cm above the top of the fuel rods. This was a 40 cm decrease in five hours. Officials at the plant were planning to use an operation diesel generator in Unit 6 to supply water to Unit 5. Japanese authorities have reported concerns about the condition of the spent nuclear fuel pool at Fukushima Daiichi Unit 3 and Unit 4. Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa announced Wednesday that Special Defense Forces helicopters planned to drop water onto Unit 3, and officials are also preparing to spray water into Unit 4 from ground positions, and possibly later into Unit 3. Some debris on the ground from the 14 March explosion at Unit 3 may need to be removed before the spraying can begin.

• The Government has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send a technical support team to affected area. The IAEA is coordinating international nuclear response support to Japan through Response and Assistance Network (RANET). IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano plans to travel to Japan.

• At the request of the Japanese Government, the US Military Nuclear Regulatory Commission has sent another team of nine experts to Tokyo. The Republic of Korea plans to transfer its reserve of boron, a material vital for stopping nuclear fission, to the depleted Fukushima reserves.

FUKUSHIMA REACTOR STATUS

REACTOR 1 REACTOR 2 REACTOR 3 REACTOR 4 Partial core meltdown Potential meltdown feared Blast, debris, radiation leak Fire; water levels dropping REACTOR 5 Water levels dropping REACTOR 6 Heat rising in spent fuel pool OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011 OCHA SitRep #4: 15 March 2011 IAEA Update (0355 UTC) 16 March 2011 IAEA Update (1455 CET) 16 March 2011

SITUATION

(NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS) NOTE: Radiation levels have risen considerably and are now at levels high enough to impact human health at the Fukushima power plant.

• Radiation levels over 400 milisieverts per hour--1,000 times higher than the measurements earlier reported (the equivalent of 400,000 microsieverts per hour)-- are now present at the Fukushima power plant.

• On Tuesday 15 March, a third explosion occurred at reactor #2, and is considered more serious than the two prior explosions at #1 and #3.

• Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation levels had risen considerably, with a risk of radiation leaking into the atmosphere, and a meltdown was likely.

• Japanese authorities have ordered evacuations for everyone within a 20km radius and have urged people within 30 km of the Fukushima Daiichi plant to remain indoors in unventilated rooms. As of Sunday 13 March, authorities had evacuated 185,000 residents from some 10 towns near the affected nuclear power plants. Japanese authorities have informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the evacuation of the population in the 20-km zone around Fukushima Daiichi is complete.

• Radiation levels have reached harmful levels within the evacuation zone around Daiichi plant. GoJ has ordered a no-fly zone some 30 km around the plant.

• On Wednesday, the IAEA reported that potassium iodide tablets have been distributed to evacuation centers but no decision has yet been taken on their administration. Tap water, produce and sources of dairy are considered at risk of contamination. • Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano says radiation is now at levels that can impact human health. He emphasized that those levels were recorded at the Daiichi plant and that the "further away you get from the power plant or reactor, the value should go down".

A child is checked for signs of radiation by officials in protective gear.

WHO FAQ: Japan Nuclear Concerns: 15 March 2011 COE-DMHA Update: 15 March 2011 NOTES:

•

Emphasis on evacuation of vulnerable populations is crucial to ensuring the safety of the population.

•

The administration of potassium iodine tablets may be necessary if the situation escalates and there is indication of harmful exposure to

•

the human population.

There is significant concern that Reactor #4 may boil dry, which could lead to a full-scale meltdown and a significant increase in radioactive release .

SITUATION

(NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS – INJURED/ MISSING/CONTAMINATED)

• • • • • • •

INJURED/MISSING

2 TEPCO employees have minor injuries 2 subcontractor employees are injured, one person suffered broken legs and one person whose condition is unknown was transported to the hospital 2 people are missing 2 people were 'suddenly taken ill' 2 TEPCO employees were transported to hospital during the time of donning respiratory protection in the control center 4 people (2 TEPCO employees, 2 subcontractor employees) sustained minor injuries due to the explosion at unit 1 on 11 March and were transported to the hospital 11 people (4 TEPCO employees, 3 subcontractor employees and 4 Japanese civil defense workers) were injured due to the explosion at unit 3 on 14 March • • • •

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION

17 people (9 TEPCO employees, 8 subcontractor employees) suffered from deposition of radioactive material to their faces, but were not taken to the hospital because of low levels of exposure One worker suffered from significant exposure during 'vent work,' and was transported to an offsite center 2 policemen who were exposed to radiation were decontaminated Firemen who were exposed to radiation are under investigation

Thick while smoke billows from the No. 3 unit of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okumamachi, Fukushima Prefecture, Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2011 as seen in this image released by Tokyo Electric Power Co.

IAEA Japanese Earthquake Update (17 March)

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

•

As of 17 March , the Government of Japan confirmed that 5,178 people have died and another 2,285 are injured. The number of people who are missing has increased to 8,913 from 7,844.

• The government issued "state of emergency" for Fukushima; Daiichi and Daini and issued the following directions: • Residents staying within a 20-kilometer radius from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Co.,Inc. (TEPCO) have been evacuated.

• Residents staying in the area from 20-kilometre to 30 kilometer radius from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station, Tokyo Electric Power Co.,Inc. (TEPCO) shall stay inside the houses or buildings.

• Damaged buildings were reported from Hokkaido, Miyagi, Iwate, Fukushima, Yamagata, Akita, Tokyo, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Saitama, Gunma, Chiba, Kanagawa, Tokushima and Kochi prefectures • Total of 3 500 buildings confirmed completely destroyed • To date, the earthquake has damaged or destroyed more than 72,000 buildings, as well as an estimated 1,206 roads and 47 bridges throughout northeastern Japan. • Transportation systems remain paralyzed, although the government of Japan is restoring key roads, bridges, and railways, according to OCHA. • Rescue and relief operations are being hampered by continuous aftershocks, tsunami alerts, and fires. Many areas along the northeast coast remain isolated and unreachable by emergency services.

• A total of 25,460 people have been rescued. Self Defence Force team arrived on the ground at Fukushima's Daiichi nuclear power plant site. MHLW has deployed staff to Sendai City Office and Tohoku Regional Office and MHLW are coordinating the logistics for medical supplies and equipment.

• Self Defense Force team arrived on the ground at Fukushima's Daiichi nuclear power plant site.

• Ministry of Health has sent an emergency medical team (doctors, nurses, and experts on radiation) to Daiichi plant.

• In response to food needs, the GoJ and Japan’s private sector have distributed more than 550,000 meals —a quarter of the planned food delivery —to affected populations.

Japan Defense Force helicopter scooped water off Japan’s North –East Coast on its way to the Fukushima Dai- chi Nuclear Power Plant The helicopters dropped four loads on the reactor as pilots were restricted to 40 minutes flying time over the Fukushima plant

OCHA SITREP 6 - 17 MARCH Chief Cabinet Secretary Statement: 14 March 2011 WHO WPRO SitRep #7: 16 March 2011 USAID Fact Sheet #5: 15 March 2011

GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN

• The National Emergency Management Committee, led by the Prime Minister, has been established to oversee and coordinate all response activities. All relevant ministries and agencies have been involved in the response.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

• Announced that 97 universities have been affected nationwide • Schools in the northern prefectures are currently serving as temporary shelters, hosting populations who have been evacuated from their homes. • Many universities and secondary schools have been compelled to cancel or reschedule entry examinations

National Police Agency

• Established special call centers, through which guidance and support are provided to find missing family members.

Ministry of Forests and Waters and Ministry of Finance

• Provision of rice, food, and water • Deployment of 5,000 portable latrines • Provision of blankets, radios, gasoline, flashlights, dry ice, and other essentials being prepared

Police and Fire Department

• Police helicopters deployed to Miyagi and Iwate for support • Assisting through deployment of response teams via helicopters and ships

Transportation

• Site assessments throughout the Tohoku and Kanto regions

Coast Guard

• Coordinating evacuation and alerts services • Alerts to potential radiation exposure in Fukushima nuclear plant

The Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT) company

• Started an emergency message service where people can dial and leave messages.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

• Construction of 600 temporary shelters to be built within two weeks. • 4,200 shelters will be constructed in four weeks and 30,000 shelters in two months.

NOTES:

•

Snow and freezing temperatures hit the most severely affected areas; food, water and fuel shortages are the main concerns

•

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant crisis is still not under control with

•

a fourth explosion.

Construction of temporary shelters is a priority in the wake of mass evacuations.

Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare (MHLW)

• Activities coordinated through DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) – – Mobilized: 18 teams Deployed: 57 teams – Standby: 18 teams • Deployment of vehicles for provision of water to affected areas. • Coordinating with 245 water supply companies to secure emergency water supply to send 314 water supply vehicles to the most affected areas including Miyagi (130 vehicles), Fukushima (89 vehicles) and Iwate (51 vehicles). • Mobile latrines have been sent to Miyagi.

• Distribution sites for food, water and supplies: 5 in Miyagi, 11 in Fukushima, 1 in Iwate

OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011

UNITED STATES RESPONSE

• On March 11, U.S. Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos declared a disaster due to the effects of the earthquake and tsunami. In response, USAID activated a Response Management Team (RMT) in Washington, D.C., and deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Japan including four members with nuclear expertise from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). • The DART continues to work in coordination with U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to manage the overall U.S. government response effort. DART is monitoring unconfirmed reports of food shortages in Tokyo due to hoarding.

• • There are two NRC engineers as well as a Department of Health and Human Services radiation emergency specialist, and Department of Energy radiation health hazards experts have been already on the ground since 12 March.

• U.S. aerial and ground radiation monitoring equipment and 34 personnel arrived in Japan on 15 March. These personnel have expertise in health physics and airborne and ground-based radiation field monitoring. The equipment includes detectors, data acquisition systems, and health physics kits. • Seven additional experts from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have arrived in Japan on 16 March.

• On March 13, the Fairfax County and Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams arrived in Japan as part of the DART and established a base of operations in Ofunato City with USAR teams from China and the UK. Search and rescue operations began on March 15 and are working under the instruction of the Japanese and are coordinating with UK and Chinese teams to ensure a coordinated international response. .

Members of the US Fairfax County search and rescue team from Virginia direct colleagues to search destroyed houses for survivors in Kamaishi on March 16, 2011, following the devastating earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11.

NOTES:

•

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) continues to assist with search and rescue activities at sea via aerial and surface support.

•

Some of the deployed US warships, including the USS Reagan have changed course as a precaution to avoid radiation over part of the eastern shore of Japan.

•

USAR teams report that conditions are becoming increasingly difficult due to weather conditions and lack of supplies, including fuel and vehicles. The team in Ofunato is also monitoring radiation levels to ensure their safety. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S citizens of the deteriorating situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recommends that U.S. citizens who live within 50 miles (80 km) of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant evacuate the area or take shelter indoors if safe evacuation is not practical DOS Travel Warning – Japan: 17 March 2011 Ambassador John V. Roos Speaks to the Press: 16 March 2011 USAID Press Release: 11 March 2011 USAID Press Release: 14 March 2011 APAN: Japan Earthquake 2011

UNITED STATES RESPONSE

(DOD)

• Dubbed

Operation Tomodachi

-- Japanese for "friendship" -- U.S. military assets mobilizing in the area include a wide range of equipment, air, sea, and ground capability and expertise. $35 million have been allocated for the support of this mission. • U.S. 7th Fleet forces are assisting in search and rescue operations, surveying at-sea debris fields, and will soon assist the JMSDF with transporting vehicles, equipment, and supplies to support relief efforts.

• The Reagan Carrier Strike Group of the U.S. Navy has flown 29 missions to bring humanitarian aid ashore, delivering 17 tons of supplies. The USS Ronald Reagan arrived on March 12th and is set to serve as a place for Japanese helicopters to land and refuel. • The USS Fitzgerald, USS John S McCain, USS McCampbell, and USS Curtis Wilbur are in the same strike group as the Regan Carrier and are providing relief aid.

• The USS Tortuga arrived on March 15th off the coast of Hokkaido Island to provide transport of 279 Japan defense forces personnel, equipment, and supplies in support of Japanese rescue efforts.

• Marines and sailors from III MEF are also supporting relief operations and its subordinate units are providing command and control, aviation and logistics support. • The 353rd Special Operations Group of the U.S. Air Force has 15 Airmen and three aircraft deployed to assist with search and rescue, transport emergency response teams, distributing relief supplies, survey open airfields and helicopter landing zones, and provide medical care to injured people.

• USS Preble provided 700 pounds of supplies to earthquake and tsunami survivors.

• Airmen of the 33rd Rescue Squadron continue search and rescue efforts. • The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard three ships of Amphibious Squadron 11, and are heading towards the northeastern coast of mainland Japan and expects to arrive on March 16 in support of Operation Tomodachi.

• Officials told personnel in and around Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan to limit outdoor activities and to turn off air conditioning due to the detection of low levels of radioactivity.

Sailors assigned to Anti-Submarine Squadron 4 load supplies onto an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan . The Ronald Reagan is rendering humanitarian assistance following an earthquake and tsunami. U.S. Navy The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, March 12, 2011. Ronald Reagan has been directed to Japan following a 8.9 earthquake and tsunami to render humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as directed. U.S. Navy DOD News: 13 March 2011 DOD News: 15 March 2011 31st MEU Public Affairs: 15 March 2011 COE-DMHA Update: 15 March 2011 USAID Fact Sheet #5: 15 March 2011 USS Preble Public Affairs: 15 March 2011 USAF News: 15 March 2011

UNITED NATIONS

World Health Organization-Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO-WPRO)

in Manila • WPRO has been in contact with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. • The National IHR Focal Point in Japan has been designated by Japan to communicate with WHO on the event. • WPRO has been communicating with its country offices, Headquarters and other relevant offices to monitor the situation and prepare for possible WHO support for response. • Funds have been made available for initiating training and planning for mental health and psychosocial services • Held a teleconference (15 March) with communications focal points in the country offices and WHO Representatives and Country Liaison Officers • Produced background of a ‘beginner’s guide to nuclear incidents’ and Questions and Answers for public release

NOTE:

•

WHO continues to make preparations to support response operations as requested.

•

The impact of radiation released from the ongoing nuclear emergency remains a major concern of WHO.

OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011 WHO WPRO SitRep #7: 16 March 2011 UNGC Special Appeal: 15 March 2011 UNITAR News: 14 March 2011

UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)

• The UNDAC Team, based at JICA Tokyo International Center is supporting the Government with information management and supporting the International USAR teams. Regular updates on USAR teams are posted on the Virtual OSOCC. MapAction is supporting the UNDAC team with mapping. • UNDAC is developing a basic 3W to better understand where assistance is being delivered and who is operating where. Some 13 Non-Governmental Organizations are providing assistance in the tsunami and earthquake affected areas, working through local partners.

UN Operational Satellite Applications Program (UNOSAT)

• UNOSAT is part of a group of specialized players including DLR of Germany, the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, and others. The group is working under the coordination of the Japanese authorities and JAXA to bring to value the data generated by the Space Charter and provide Japanese authorities with actionable information. • UNOSAT has released to OpenStreetMap a set of images that volunteers around the world can now use to produce information hopefully useful to rescuers on the ground in the affected areas.

UN Global Impact

recommends financial contributions go to the Japan Platform.

World Food Program (WFP)

has released 2 maps on 15 March 2011 • No Fly and No Man Zone • Nuclear Power Plants

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST

•

Search and Rescue Teams from 14 countries

are currently in Japan and have 689 International Search and Rescue Specialists deployed with 32 search dogs. The teams say conditions are becoming increasingly more difficult due to the weather conditions and lack of supplies such as fuel and vehicles. •

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)

is working to provide hot meals in an evacuation center in the Miyagino Ward of Sendai City where approximately 300 displaced people are living and 1,300 are spending the night. They are preparing to provide 1,000 evacuees with shelter, food, non-food items and transportation.

•

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC

) reported 439,337 people are being housed in 2,457 evacuation centers, mostly schools and other public buildings.

• The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) currently has 85 medical teams operating out of hospitals and mobile clinics treating survivors. Each team includes a trained psychosocial nurse, who allows survivors to voice their grief and anxieties, as well discuss practical concerns. The Japanese Red Cross has 2,400 trained psychosocial nurses and an eight-member specialist psychosocial team. •

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

has an 11-person team working in evacuation centers in a small, isolated community in Miyagi prefecture with local medical staff. MSF staff plan to start a clinic in another town near Minamisanriku.

• The number of Natural Disaster Response Team (NDRT) has been increased from 62 to 115. • More than 2 million volunteers have registered with JRCS. They have been helping with the distribution of relief items, preparing hot meals, clearing debris, flying helicopters, and radio communications. • Helicopter teams were mobilized on 13 March 2011 to assist evacuation, deliver medicine and food to hospitals, and carry volunteers from Yamagata to Sendai.

• 31 out of 47 JRCS branches have special equipment to deal with the nuclear biological chemical disaster.

• JRCS and IFRC have set up a family link website to help family members contact one another.

For many patients, the main concern is pneumonia, as they may have swallowed water mixed with petrol during the flooding caused by the tsunami. Photo: Japanese Red Cross

OCHA Sit Rep #5: 16 March 2011 IFRC Info Bulletin No. 3: 15 March 2011 MSF News: 15 March 2011 NOTE:

•

Multiple international health and welfare organizations are operating in the impacted area to support displaced and

•

vulnerable populations.

The capabilities of the Japanese government and relief agencies have been effective in assisting those affected, with reinforcement and financial assistance from external agencies.

Nuclear Accident

HEALTH THREAT FROM A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT

Contaminated Soil Environmental Contaminated Air Contaminated Water Radiation Contamination Radiation Exposure Contaminated Food Secondary Fires Loss of Communications Loss of Essential Services Loss of Utilities Infrastructure Socio-Economic Fires and Explosions Loss of Transportation Networks Loss of Assets Displacement Loss of Shelter Loss of Employment Loss of Access To Food/Water Exposure Burns to eyes/skin Molds/Allergens Inhalation GI Tract ARS Thyroid Cancer Delays/ Inability to Evacuate Access to care prohibited Trauma/Wounds Burns Radiation Blast Maternal & Neonatal Chronic Disease Burns/Smoke Inhalation Exposure Meningitis Measles Malnutrition Dehydration Diarrhea

A baby is checked for radiation exposure after being decontaminated in Fukushima, Japan, Monday. [AP/YONHAP]

RADIATION – MEDICAL ISSUES

•

The three basic ways to reduce radiation exposure:

TIME:

Decrease the amount of time you spend near the source of radiation.

•

DISTANCE:

source. Increase your distance from a radiation

•

SHIELDING:

Increase the shielding between you and the radiation source. Shielding is anything that creates a barrier between people and the radiation source. Depending on the type of radiation, the shielding can range from something as thin as a plate of window glass or as thick as several feet of concrete. Being inside a building or a vehicle can provide shielding from some kinds of radiation. ACUTE RADIATION SYNDROME (ARS)

• •

Also called radiation sickness People exposed to radiation will get ARS only if:

–

The radiation

dose was high

–

The radiation

was penetrating

– •

(that is, able to reach internal organs), The person’s

entire body

, or most of it, received the dose, and

–

The radiation

was received in a short time

usually within minutes. ,

NOTE:

•

Rescuers, first responders and nuclear power plant workers are more likely to be exposed to doses of radiation high enough to cause acute effects.

•

There is no health threat to the US from radiation.

HEALTH LINKS

CDC - Travel Health Precaution 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami, and Radiation Release in Japan This information is current as of today, March 17, 2011 at 11:16 EDT

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/travel-health-precaution/2011-earthquake-tsunami-radiation-japan.aspx

CDC - Health Information for Expatriates and Students Living in Japan 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami, and Radiation Release in Japan This information is current as of today, March 17, 2011 at 12:16 EDT

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/2011-earthquake-tsunami-expatriates-students.aspx

Health Information for Humanitarian Aid Workers 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan This information is current as of today, March 17, 2011 at 12:19 EDT

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/2011-earthquake-tsunami-humanitarian-aid-workers.aspx

CDC - 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

HTTP://EMERGENCY.CDC.GOV/RADIATION/