ASIA/JAPAN - Child emergency after the terrible earthquake that struck the Country

Tokyo (Agenzia Fides) – Chidren in Japan and in surrounding countries in the Pacific have never experienced such a crucial moment in their short lives, following the earthquake which according to estimates has already taken a toll of more than a thousand lives. The response from humanitarian organisations and from the Church throughout the world has been immediate. According to a note sent to Fides from the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, the assurance of prayers for the victims of the worst ever earthquake to hit Japan in over 140 years, came from Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of Australian Conference of Bishops and the from the Bishops of England and Wales. The Archbishop also urged Caritas Australia to act quickly. An appeal for children affected by the earthquake and by the subsequent tsunami wave also came from the President of the humanitarian organization, Save the Children, Charles F. MacCormack. The organisation, along with other agencies, is committed to giving priority to the needs of children and to providing emergency support. Children are always among the most vulnerable victims in emergency situations and need a targeted intervention to support them physically and emotionally and help them cope with the shock. (AP) (12/3/2011 Agenzia Fides)