Japan Press Weekly

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2011 March 16 - 22 [GREAT EAST JAPAN DISASTER]

Unions and democratic medical organizations provide support for disaster victims

Immediately after the Great East Japan Disaster, democratic medical associations and trade unions began activities to determine the situation in the disaster-hit areas and to work to relieve the victims.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions (Zenroren) called on member unions to work on relief projects. Several unions, including the Japan Federation of Medical Workers’ Unions (Iroren), launched fund-raising campaigns for the quake-hit areas. The Japan Federation of Prefectural and Municipal Workers’ Unions (Jichiroren) requested member unions to urge their respective municipal governments to send disaster relief funds, volunteers, and assistance to the devastated areas.

The National Federation of Farmers Movement (Nominren) asked for members’ cooperation to collect relief funds, to set up soup kitchens for disaster victims, and to supply agricultural products to evacuation centers. It has already carried relief supplies, including vegetables and rice, to heavily-damaged areas in Fukushima Prefecture.

The Japan Federation of Democratic Medical Institutions (Min-Iren) has sent emergency medical teams from both the Kanto and Kansai regions to the disaster-stricken region. They are trying to collect iodine tablets for hospitals and residents close to the Fukushima No.1 and No.2 nuclear power plants. Hospitals affiliated with the Min-Iren in the metropolitan areas are taking in dialysis patients from the afflicted areas.

On March 13, Zenroren, Min-Iren, and Nominren jointly sent two vehicles packed with relief supplies, including food, medicines and medical materials from Tokyo to the disaster areas.