Iwakuni Update Mon 3/28

We remain safe here in Iwakuni, but major earthquake aftershocks continue in northern Japan (M6.5 earlier this AM). I woke up to "Breaking News" on NHK World this morning, so that's never good. Earthquakes of this magnitude always increase chance of tsunami, so everyone in that area remains on alert each time another quake strikes.

Over 10,800 people are now confirmed dead, with another 16,200 still missing - some entire families. Many casualties include children who were still at school at 2:46 on that Friday afternoon when the major quake hit, and their teachers did not have time to get them to higher ground before the deadly tsunami washed through buildings. Over 193,000 people remain in evacuation facilities, many of which still do not have power & very little heat as the weather continues to hover around freezing temperatures. 18,000 homes were completely destroyed and another 140,000 homes were damaged. Lots of numbers, but each represents a major event in someone's life which will never, ever be the same.

The nuclear radiation situation continues, as well as heroic measures to control it. Despite all efforts, the leaking issues seem to be worsening more rapidly than repair teams can succeed in such a dangerous environment. Cooling down the reactors but not sacrificing the workers remains the major challenge. But work continues and the situation changes hour-by-hour. We are grateful that NHK World continues to broadcast continuously in English, with updated information starting on the top of each hour. We remain hopeful that this situation will soon be brought under control.

Thanks for your continuing interest.