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These rubber bottles are particularly critical at this time as many residents of northeastern Japan remain in vulnerable conditions following the catastrophe which befell that region on March 11, 2011. Tens of thousands of Japanese are currently living in temporary housing and the hot water bottles will bring them some comfort and warmth during the hard times.
Speaking on the campaign, Newly Swissed founder Mamiko Burkhard said, “Newly Swissed felt compelled to initiate the project and support people in the tsunami affected areas. The images that came to us via the media touched our hearts deeply and we were obliged to respond. It is our hope that the hot water bottle project will go a far way in warming the body and soul of those who have been rendered vulnerable.”
Newly Swissed is urging as many persons as possible to support their cause by contributing funds equivalent to the cost of at least one hot water bottle, i.e., 10 CHF. They are also seeking sponsors to cover the shipping charges to Japan. Newly Swissed explains that the hot water bottles will be delivered to the Tono Magokoro Net (Tono City Disaster Relief Volunteers), one of the largest volunteer groups in the prefecture of Iwate. This region saw no less than 220 km of coastline ravaged and submerged by the powerful tsunami on March 11, 2011.
Highlighting the impact of the disaster on Japan’s infrastructure and people, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan said that “this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan" in the last 65 years. [1] In the aftermath of the tragedy nearly 1.5 million households had gone without water and some 1.9 million households were without electricity. [2]
Newly Swissed is asking persons who may be moved by its initiative to bring comfort and relief to the affected peoples by logging on to http://iwate.newlyswissed.com and make their donation to the cause.
[1] Source: CNN
[2] Source: NPR News
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
