19
Mar
2011
Japan Plan “The Crisis”
The universe is testing us right now… and the choices we all make during these trying times will no doubt define our future.
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My heart is cracked from the catastrophic events taking place in Japan. I’ve experienced similar type situations many times now with Brazil & Pakistan floods, Indo Tsunami, and Haiti & Chile quakes – and it doesn’t matter where these things happen, the needs for survival are the same… and we can help with those needs. That said, this is a whole new dynamic. The nuclear crisis they’re dealing with puts a gut wrenching spin on an already devastating situation. It is a trifecta of disasters – earthquake / tsunami / nuclear meltdown. It’s hard to even imagine such a scenario and even harder to accept that it is a reality.
Much like when we decided to launch an effort in Brazil, Japan is a place that is close to my heart. As a surfer, I have spent a lot of time there over the years. I feel an overwhelming need to help our brothers and sisters over there. I am taking this opportunity to formally announce that Waves For Water will be launching a full-fledged relief initiative for the victims of these recent horrific events. This will be a long road to recovery for them and we as an organization will do our part in aiding them along the way. We (W4W) are pretty specific in what we do and we feel that there will be a need for clean water for some time… especially in the more remote villages north of Sendai that were leveled by the tsunami. As those little beach-side communities start to rebuild, it could be six months (or even longer) before they get their water turned back on. So if we can provide them with access to clean water that’s just one less thing they’ll have to worry about. Then once the municipal services, such as water, are back up and running – these communities can have their filter stored away in case, god forbid, tragedy strikes again.
We don’t know what to expect in the coming weeks/months with all of this, but we do know that we will serve as an ongoing resource for this cause. We will be working tirelessly at raising awareness and support to help the victims get back some of the basic needs that were so violently stripped away from them. We are planning on sending over an initial batch of filters within the next few days to be distributed by teams that are already in place… and once the nuclear crisis has been managed (or at least explained a little better), we’ll be going over there to personally distribute our systems to those remote regions that may have slipped between the cracks of the bigger relief efforts.
We are working now to establish good local networks on the ground there that will help us determine the best areas to support and how to do it quickly and efficiently. For example, I have already spoken to American pro surfer, Danny Melhado, (who has been living in Japan for years) and he is committed to helping us coordinate our efforts. He will be an incredible ally as he has first-hand knowledge about these seaside areas we’ll be targeting and has already gotten word that in most cases things are much worse than we are all being told – entire communities completely wiped out.
We are working now to establish good local networks on the ground there that will help us determine the best areas to support and how to do it quickly and efficiently. For example, I have already spoken to American pro surfer, Danny Melhado, (who has been living in Japan for years) and he is committed to helping us coordinate our efforts. He will be an incredible ally as he has first-hand knowledge about these seaside areas we’ll be targeting and has already gotten word that in most cases things are much worse than we are all being told – entire communities completely wiped out.
When something like this happens, the world community definitely comes together to help… On a more personal note, I have already seen an incredible amount of focus and support towards this from the surf community. We ARE all in this together and WE CAN HELP… with out a doubt! But it is all up to us taking the initiative. A common misconception for people during these events is that they assume someone else is handling it. Well… that’s not the case! The crucial differences made in these situations are usually by individuals or org’s/groups that just decide they are going to do something…no matter what.
Our fallen brothers and sisters of Japan need us… It’s time to rally the troops my friends… it is our responsibility… and we should feel honored to do so.
If you feel like supporting our initiative then I’d like to take this moment to thank you on behalf of all the people you’ll be helping… and remember, there are many ways to lend your support – not just money. Spread the word… become a true voice for this cause!
Serve your purpose and your purpose serves you.
More to come…
Thanks,
Jon
I saw your site via Danny Melhados FB post. I know Dan and have lived here for over 18 years now and we have/had many friends in common in this area.
On Monday April 15 I am doing a trip into an area lower than where Danny is to a bunch of remaining surfers friends. I have a toyota coaster bus and will be carrrying in heaters, 200kgs of rice 300 litres of Kero, blankets, warm clothing, generators,rice cookers. I have asked a bunch of our surfer friends to donate me there current surf water bottles that you would have seen all carry here in the back of their cars to use when washing off. I will be collecting a bunch of them in Niigatta before we cross to the other side(Pacific). I am going direct to communities I know who are a little more remote and not quite in the aid agency loops. Water filters would be awsome if not this trip then next as would funds for generators. Happy to help you in anyway to justify this. Regards Wil Beresford.
PS
I see you are Hurley related for a reference check I am good friends with Barton Lynch who stays with us here wheneever he comes out, if you need to verify. I have already asked BL to line up some clothing. Cheers wil