[Earthquake] Burmese volunteers in Japan and Rikuzentakata City provided 300 Burmese meals in the project

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, 15 Burmese volunteers living in Japan served food in the disaster area (Rikuzentakata city, Iwate prefecture).
Date April 9, 2011 (Sat) 11:30-14:30 (preparation 8:30-11:30)
Location: Shimoyahagi Community Center, Rikuzentakata City
(6-2 Nabetani, Yahagicho, Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture)
Contents: 300 Burmese meals served
Purpose: What we can do as Burmese who have been living in Japan for many years
To support the disaster-stricken areas (by cooking and serving Burmese cuisine).
Cuisine: Two types of Burmese cuisine and others (seasoned for Japanese tastes)
1. Chata Al Hin (Potato, chicken, carrot and radish soup curry)
②Chouhin (boiled eggs fried with tomato)
③ Pickles
④Cupcake
⑤Coffee, tea
Organized by Burmese volunteers living in Japan
(NDB/Network for Democracy in Burma, MCWA/Myanmar Cultural Welfare Association)
Non-profit organization ASIAN PEOPLE'S FREINDSHIP SOCIETY
*All funds were provided by donations from Burmese people living in Japan.
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Many people came to the soup kitchen, not only from within the evacuation center but also from the surrounding area. The Burmese people in Japan spoke to each disaster victim one by one and handed them meals. People who came to the soup kitchen said things like, "We're grateful to have so much to eat," "Thank you so much for coming all the way from far away," and "We unexpectedly got to eat Burmese food. It's delicious." After the soup kitchen was over, the Burmese people in Japan visited the evacuation center and spoke to each disaster victim one by one. They shook the disaster victims' hands and tried their best to encourage them.

Supplies were arriving at the evacuation centers continuously, but sorting could not keep up and cardboard boxes were piled up. The evacuation centers also contained children and elderly people who had lost all their family members, and psychological care would be necessary in the future. Currently, the first priority is to support survivors, and rubble and other debris remain. It can be said that support will continue in the future.

One Rikuzentakata city official who was in charge of welcoming us on the day said something that made a lasting impression on us: "We're grateful that people from abroad are showing interest. Please take a good look at the situation in the disaster-stricken areas and let everyone know about it so that a similar disaster never happens again somewhere else."

The next day (Sunday, April 10, 2011) at 2:00 p.m., over 200 Burmese people living in Japan gathered in Tokyo to hold the "Religious Service for Northeastern Japan Earthquake & Tsunami's Victims." They immediately reported on the soup kitchens being prepared in the area, and many of them said they would like to participate next time.

Burmese volunteers in Japan say they want to continue supporting the disaster-stricken areas. Our organization will continue to provide support so that Japanese and foreign residents can join forces and overcome this current difficulty.

*APFS' next disaster relief project (soup distribution) will bePadma(Italian/Bangladeshi cuisine).
We look forward to your continued donations.