Japan Archives - Page 4 of 5 - Canadian Medical Assistance Teams

CMAT Monitoring Additional Explosion at Fukushima Nuclear Plant.

2011 - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Deployments

CMAT Team Leader Dave Johnson meets with media at Tokyo’s Narita airport.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011 – CMAT Directors were in contact tonight with the Assessment Team who are currently on the ground in Tokyo, preparing for Air Lift Transport to the Sendai Region.

As of this evening all NGO airlift support has been temporarily suspended pending the further assessment of the situation at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. CNN has reported that another explosion has occurred, this time at the number 4 reactor.

CMAT Directors spoke this evening with Canadian Nuclear Officials who stated: “Standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE: coveralls, masks, gloves) would be adequate if they had to go inside the evacuated area, but at 100+ km away, no one would have received a significant radiation dose, even at Chernoble.”

CMAT/ IMAT joint assessment team touches down in Tokyo.

2011 - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Deployments

None of us saw this coming, what an encouragement for us to now go … and do. (Notes of encouragement from the JL017 Flight crew).011

Monday, March 14, 2011 – We arrived safe in Tokyo. Tourist information told us there wasnt a single vacancy in the whole city. Rental cars and trucks non-existent. Even if there was something, fuel is in short supply and is being rationed out.

Somehow, using our combined good looks and charm … or just connections and Ian our Japanese speaking team member … a way was made and beds were found.

That’s not even the best story.

CMAT and IMAT Rapid Assessment Teams depart for Japan.

2011 - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Deployments

CMAT and IMAT Rapid Assessment Team checking in at YVR. L-R: Ian Burkheimer (IMAT), Dave Johnson (CMAT Team Leader), Kelly Kaley (CMAT), Kevin Sanford (CMAT), Ryan Thorburn (CMAT), Brett Martinson (IMAT).

Sunday, March 13, 2011 – CMAT assessment team has departed from Vancouver and is travelling to earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan.

Depending on the assessment findings, the team would be the first of many which would rotate through Japan to provide much needed medical assistance and support to the local Japanese affected by the devastating quake and tsunami. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 persons may have died. Countless other Japanese are in need of assistance – food, water, shelter and medical support.

CMAT Rapid Assessment Team preparing to depart Sunday for Japan: team to evaluate health needs in devastated areas.

2011 - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Deployments

A man takes a picture in Sendai, northern Japan, of the aftermath of the tsunami. (Photo Courtesy Junji Kurokawa/AP)

Saturday, March 12, 2011 – Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) is deploying its rapid disaster assessment team to Sendai, Japan, scheduled to leave Sunday morning from Vancouver. The organization is also making an emergency appeal for donations to help the people of Japan after the powerful 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami devastated the region on Friday, which is centred about 300km north of the capitol, Tokyo. Officially, 649 people are confirmed dead, and numbers are expected to increase sharply. There remains no contact with about 10,000 people in Minamisanriku, more than half the town’s population.