KARACHI – Several civil society organisations on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars worth properties in Japan due to the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the resulting tsunami, which hit the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan on March 11.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, a group of civil society organisations, including PILER, PFF, SAP-PK, SPO, SAFCOW, CPCS and SUNGI, expressed solidarity with the Japanese people in their difficult time and hoped that with the support of international community the distraught nation would recuperate from one of the largest human miseries.
As reported in the media, the earthquake was the fifth biggest in intensity in recorded history, causing around 10,000 deaths with thousands of people missing. News reports indicate that the earthquake has shifted the earth’s axis by 6.5 inches, shortened the day by 1.6 microseconds, and sank Japan downwards by about two feet. This is one of the biggest human tragedies on earth while the patience and the unity demonstrated by the people of Japan in such an overwhelming natural calamity is archetypical and every nation should learn from their forbearance in such difficult times.
When the northern parts of Pakistan were jolted by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on October 8, 2005 causing heavy losses of human lives and properties, the international community particularly the Japanese government had provided huge assistance in relief and rehabilitation. Civil society also emphasized that there are lessons to learn from Japan’s tragedy as its preparedness for disasters and earthquake-resistant infrastructure has played a significant role in minimising the damage caused by the high-intensity earthquake.
The nuclear catastrophe in Japan indicates the dangers associated with nuclear technology that has grave consequences for countries adopting the systems and invites attention that use of nuclear energy even for peaceful purposes like power generation is very dangerous and counterproductive. The elements of nature have again demonstrated just how powerful and destructive they can be despite our scientific knowledge and advancements.
The statement said that the civil society hoped that the Japanese government would be able to make efforts to reduce the level of radiation discharge and provide assistance to the affected population.
