Asia

Thailand is facing a severe and protracted flood covering the northern and central regions of Thailand. 28 provinces are affected, with 4 million acres of land currently underwater. So far the floods have claimed the lives of 356 people and an estimated 800,000 homes have been destroyed. 640,547 people are temporarily out of work and 820,000 have been treated for water-borne diseases and stress thus far.

Women from Fukushima, Japan, have started a campaign to demand greater protection for children affected by radiation. Many families and children are trapped in Fukushima and are unable to leave for financial reasons. National and prefectural governments have determined that the accepted exposure rate to radiation is up to 20 millisieverts per year, and below that rate they are not obligated to offer financial support to residents, businesses or schools that wish to relocate outside the affected areas. At Chernobyl the right to evacuate was given from 1 to 5 millisieverts.

The World YWCA, represented by Reverend Pirjo-Liisa Penttinen, General Secretary of YWCA of Finland, participated in the second international gathering of the Global Christian Forum (GCF). The gathering met in Manado, Indonesia, from October 4-7, 2011, under the theme “Life Together in Jesus Christ, Empowered by the Holy Spirit.”

Thanks to funds acquired through the Power to Change (P2C) Fund, the YWCA of Sri Lanka provides guidelines and basic knowledge for young women to deal with social issues.

On September 19, 2011, 60,000 people gathered in the heart of Tokyo to demand an end to nuclear power in Japan and a switch to alternative energy after the crisis at the Fukushima plant hit by the march 11 earthquake and tsunami.

In response to the triple disaster that caused wide-spread destruction and misery in northern Japan, the YWCA of Japan, along with other organisations and individuals, has been working tirelessly to help the people in the affected region.

Hosted by the YWCA of Jaipur and attended by five of the seven associations in the Northern Region, the YWCA of India organised the first of a series of leadership training workshops for Young Women in the Northern Region in Jaipur on April 30 – May 1, 2011. The programme was a youth initiative and aimed to address key issues such as problems caused by violence against women, sexual and reproductive rights of women, through awareness and hands-on experience.

In the immediate aftermath of the tremendous earthquake and tsunami that destroyed Japan’s coastline, the YWCA of Taiwan began to raise funds to support its sisters in Japan. Less than two months after the earthquake, the YWCA of Taiwan was able to raise and transfer USD 104, 472.24 to the YWCA of Japan.

The YWCA of India took part in a candle light vigil that was held on April 17th, 2011, in New Delhi, India, in support and solidarity with the Palestinian people’s struggle for peace and justice. The gathering, where participants lit candles and wore peace dove badges, was organised jointly by the India Solidarity Ecumenical Network (ISEN) and Kairos Palestine. Also participating in the ceremony were members and friends of various churches and faith-based organisations, and His Excellency Adli Sadeq, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine.

Following the massive earthquake that hit northern Japan on March 11, 2011, which caused a destructive tsunami and a nuclear catastrophe, the YWCA of Japan issued two Calls to Action to support people in distress. YWCA’s around the world have swiftly responded and offered their support and solidarity to the people of Japan and the YWCA of Japan.