Ashton bezoekt door aardbeving en tsunami getroffen gebieden in Japan (en)

Brussels, 03 November 2011 - Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission, today in Japan visited Miyagi Prefecture, one of the areas hit hardest by the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March.

"I visited Miyagi Prefecture to express the EU's sympathy with the people affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 11 March, and Europe's confidence in the future of this beautiful region. I met volunteers from all over Japan who are helping out - some even left their jobs to be there. And I spoke to survivors who are rebuilding their lives with hope for the future. I was impressed by the resilience of the people and their courage and determination in facing the challenges of recovery after the disaster," said Catherine Ashton.

HRVP Ashton started her visit in Sendai, whose port and airport were hit. She travelled through the famous Matsushima bay whose tourist industry has been badly affected, and then went on to visit the devastated town of Higashi- Matsushima, which took the full force of tsunami. She met local volunteers, people living in temporary housing and city officials. She laid flowers at the site of the Nobiru Elementary School.

Background on the EU response to the multiple catastrophe

The EU was among the first to offer both material and financial aid to Japan to support early recovery for the victims affected by the multiple disaster (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear incident). The European Commission and individual EU Member States have together contributed more than €15 million in financial and in-kind humanitarian assistance through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation for Japan. The EU, working with the Red Cross, has equipped temporary homes in Higashi-Matsushima. Aid consisted in the distribution of non-food relief items (mattresses and blankets, basics household for cooking and heating purposes) to the families living in temporary shelters in the Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima prefectures as well as in the provision of material to e.g. help renovate local schools and kindergartens. Assistance came not only from governments but also from the private sector. European enterprises have for instance donated specialist equipment to drain paddy fields of sea water, vehicles and temporary housing. Commissioner Georgieva visited Japan on 25-27 March to express solidarity with the authorities and the Japanese people and to oversee the first shipment of EU assistance.

The EU has also offered to provide assistance in the recovery and reconstruction period. At the last EU-Japan Summit of 28 May in Brussels leaders agreed an ambitious agenda for cooperation on nuclear safety, energy efficiency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The EU has started sharing with Japan its wide knowledge gained after the Chernobyl accident in the decontamination of inhabited areas, food protection systems and drinking water supplies. Areas for concrete cooperation include the assessment and mitigation of the radiological impact on the environment and health, soil decontamination, decommissioning, information and training. The EU is also giving consideration to allowing Japan’s experts to participate in the EU nuclear stress test peer reviews.