Global Reaction

World ready to aid quake-torn Japan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-12 15:36

BEIJING - Despite more than a dozen powerful aftershocks along Japan's east coast Saturday, many countries across the world have offered a helping hand to Japan following a major earthquake and tsunami on Friday.

An aerial view of the earthquake and tsunami damage at the coastal town of Minamisoma March 12, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

At least 630 people were killed by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in northeastern Japan on Friday. Japan's National Police Agency and the Defense Ministry said at least 725 are still unaccounted for in six prefectures and the number of victims may rise to well over 1,000.

Local reports said more than 215,000 people were in emergency shelters in eastern and northern Japan.

Special Coverage: Earthquake Hits Japan Related readings:  China's Red Cross offers 1m yuan to Japan  Japan faces blackouts after nuclear power plants shutdown  Quake is 5th biggest, but Japan best prepared  Rescue conducted after the quake in Japan

On Saturday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan visited a quake-hit nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture and confirmed that small amounts of radiation have been released from one of the reactors.

Regarding the controlled release of a small amount of radioactive steam from Fukushima No 1 nuclear plant, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the steam is not expected to cause any immediate threat to people's health.

The UN Security Council members on Friday observed a moment of silence to mourn those killed in the disaster. Earlier in the day, Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon expressed his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Japanese people and government, saying that the United Nations will "do anything and everything" to help Japan.

In a joint statement on Friday, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: "We stand ready to assist in any way we can in case of need."

Meanwhile, the European Commission has activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to assist Japan.

"Japan is one of the best-prepared countries in the world to cope with disasters, but the sheer magnitude of this earthquake and the tsunami means that international assistance is needed," said Kristalina Georgieva, commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis response.

"Europe's civil protection system has been fully mobilized to help Japan overcome this immense tragedy," the commissioner added.

At the same time, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi have sent messages to their Japanese counterparts Kan and Takeaki Matsumoto respectively, expressing their deep sympathy and condolences, as well as China's willingness to help.

Chinese rescuers are prepared to go to Japan to join in earthquake relief if needed, director of the China Earthquake Administration Chen Jianmin said.

China's International Rescue Team has put its members, equipment, materials and medicines in place and are ready to depart for Japan at any time, Chen told Xinhua.

Also on Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, as "an unwavering friend and ally of Japan," the United States is committed to helping Japan respond and recover in the wake of the strong quake.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama said the country rushed coolant to a nuclear power plant in Japan, and that he had asked Energy Secretary Steve Chu to be in close contact with the Japanese side to provide any assistance necessary.

Although Obama ruled out any major damage to the United States from the disaster, fears are growing as California Governor Jerry Brown on Friday declared a state of emergency in several counties hit by tsunami.

The water surge caused by the tsunami inundated California beaches, ports and harbors, destroying property and threatening numerous structures, which caused the evacuation of residents and the opening of emergency shelters, Brown said.

Meanwhile, Latin American countries with coasts in the Pacific issued tsunami alerts on Friday after the earthquake in Japan, and Central American countries including El Salvador and Guatemala also issued similar alerts and took preventive measures on their coasts.

Ecuador said late Friday it had suspended crude oil exports of 342,000 barrels a day as long as a tsunami threat remains in place. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa also proposed to create the post of secretary of risk management for South America to better respond to natural disasters.

"We cannot only react, we have to be ready for any contingency, " Correa said.

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Saturday announced that his country will send a team of emergency workers and sniffer dogs to help Japan. The team is expected to arrive in Japan by Saturday evening.

"Australia is ready to throw anything as is required (to help in this emergency).... We will throw everything at it," he said.

On the same day, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said his country will send a six-member advance team to Japan, and the balance of a 48-member rescue squad will probably leave on Sunday.

"Our hearts go out to the Japanese government and its people. Japan responded to New Zealand's own tragic earthquake with enormous support, and we are ready to help our friends in Japan at this time of need in whatever way we can," Key said.

Meanwhile, leaders from countries like Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and Hungary all expressed condolences to Japan following the calamity, pledging to extend humanitarian help.