Operation Blessing was able to deliver the long-awaited industrial grade generators to three of the Urato Islands.

Report from the field: OBI teams share their firsthand, eye-witness accounts of the relief efforts in Japan

URATO ISLANDS, Japan – We finally received the go ahead from the barge operator this morning, and Operation Blessing was able to deliver the long-awaited industrial grade generators to three of the Urato Islands.

The barge left the Shiogama dock laden with our generators, drums of fuel to power the generators, and several pieces of heavy equipment that the city was sending over to the islanders. Our first port of stop was Katsurajima.

Here Mr. Chiba, the head of the local fishing guild, greeted us and thanked us for providing so much encouragement to the islanders and the fishing community. The generators were unloaded from the barge by hanging them on the end of a power shovel.

Locals took the generators in their little light trucks to various locations on the islands to install at shelters and other facilities.

Then locals took the generators in their little light trucks to various locations on the islands to install at shelters and other facilities.

Generators were also taken to Nonoshima, where they were installed at the hilltop shelter and local community center. On Sabusawa Island, the generators were installed at the local shelter and at the fishing guild office.

The cherry blossoms were in full bloom on the islands today, and provided a beautiful backdrop for the work being done. All of this effort by Operation Blessing was for one purpose: To bring light and hope to those struggling to regain their lives.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2012 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.