Private Japanese aid for quake victims soars to US $ 11.2 billion

TOKYO: Japanese aid from non-governmental sources in both monetary and kind for the relief assistance of quake victims has soared to US $ 11.2 million, while campaign for more donations continues.

Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has jointly launched on Dec 1 a month long special campaign named "Helping Hand Campaign" to create awareness about the relief operation and to raise more donations, this was said by Ambassador Kamran Niaz while making a short presentation at the inaugural ceremony regarding the devastation caused by the Oct 8 earthquake.

He thanked the JRCS and the NHK for including Pakistan in their campaign and outlined Pakistan’s needs in the massive reconstruction and rehabilitation process.

The embassy also organized a seminar in collaboration of International exchange organization to broaden the understanding of Japanese public about the plight of the earthquake survivors; food festivals and fund raising dinners have also helped to raise donations for the affectees.

On the total donations, 136.3 million yen has been transferred through the President Relief fund, whereas donations amounting 454.2 million yen have been routed through JRCS.

A part of the private Japanese cash contributions are being sent for the victims through UN agencies like UNICEF while relief goods are hauled to the quake hit areas through Japanese NGOs as well.