Canon Group have just announced they will be donating 30 million yen (approximately US$206,900) to the Japanese Red Cross Society, to assist in the relief efforts following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake which occurred on the 1st January 2024.
The earthquake, recorded at a magnitude of 7.6, has led to an official death toll of 92 (as of Friday), with nearly 250 further people missing and assumed trapped under buildings. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have 4,600 troops on the ground assisting with relief and rescue, helping to look for the missing and assisting the tens of thousands who are still without power and water.
The Japanese Red Cross Society, the recipient of Canon’s donation, have released a report outlining the situation in detail and their response. Within just 3 days of the earthquake, the Red Cross had distributed nearly 10,000 blankets, 3,400 portable toilets, and 5 Disaster Medical Coordination teams were deployed to the area.
However, their report also brings to light to scale of the disaster. “The Japanese Government applied the Disaster Relief Act towards 35 cities, 11 towns and 1 village in 4 prefectures,” and over 700 residential buildings are reported to be collapsed/damaged, leading to 35,000 people currently residing in evacuation centres.
【第１０師団災害派遣】
— 陸上自衛隊第１０師団 (@JGSDF_MA_10D) January 5, 2024
#第１０偵察隊は、被害状況及び孤立化する住民の１日も早い救助に向けて、日々情報収集活動を行っています。#陸上自衛隊 #災害派遣 #統合 #自衛隊 #災統合任務部隊 #能登半島地震
#第１０師団 #earthquake_japan pic.twitter.com/Bts5RnevBU
You can read Canon’s full press release here.
Update: Shortly after Canon published their donation press release, Nikon announced they too are donating 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Read their press release here.
