Japan

In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killing thousands and damaging several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters.

Japan is not part of a World Renew Ministry Team. However, in response to the earthquake & tsunami, World Renew partnered with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), the Reformed Church of Japan (RCJ), Japan International Food for the Hungry (JIFH) and Christian Relief Assistance Support and Hope Japan (CRASH) to provide immediate food assistance, emergency supplies, and trauma counseling. In addition, World Renew and CRWM have been sending volunteers from North America to work alongside Japanese volunteers in mucking out houses and repairing homes and churches.