Japanese Zontians impacted by the earthquake and tsunami

Dear Zontians,

District 26 Governor Tokue Ueda has been in contact with me regarding assistance for the Japanese Zontians impacted by the earthquake and tsunami. Governor Tokue has advised me that all members of the Akita, Sendai, Fukushima, Yamagata, Kooriyama, Hakodate and Kushiro Clubs are safe and that some of the members of the Shiogama Club have been located.  This is good news as grave fears had been held for the Shiogama Club. I am discussing with Governor Tokue how Zontians can assist members in Japan and will let you know the outcome once it has been resolved. I understand that all Zontians wish to support District 26, and I appreciate you giving us the time to work through all the details.  Please continue to check the Zonta International website for updates. I would like to share the following message that I received from Governor Tokue.   < /p> Thank you to many Zontians in the world for your prayers, thoughts and good wishes and your offers of help to the victims suffered by the Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake/Tsunami. Besides we are facing an additional disaster, the breakdown of the nuclear plant after earthquake which makes us so uneasy.  We are thankful to find there are no casualties among ZC members of Akita, Sendai, Fukushima, Yamagata, Kooriyama, Hakodate and Kushiro. Some of the members of the Shiogama Club have been located. This is good news as grave fears had been held for the Shiogama Club.   Tohoku/Pacific off-shore Earthquake which is a largest tragedy that Japan had ever faced before, the number of victims are more than 450,000 and about 4,300 people are killed and 8,200 missing. Those victims in shelter are suffered from the cold weather (some nights below 0 centigrade) and not enough blankets and other needs.  Especially many areas have no gas, water, electricity so imagine their haggard feeling is growing over the limits of human being. Nothing is more welcome than a kind of sympathy from friends at such a time of anxiety and distress as this. It's very thoughtful of you to inquire after us and to offer help and I sincerely appreciate your kindness. We are now preparing the account for donations from abroad. I'll let you know as soon as we fix it. Thank you again to the many Zonta friends who have sent messages. Sincerely, Tokue Ueda District 26 Governor