On 28th May 2011, NICCO launched the Emergency Pest Control Project in 3 coastal areas within Iwate Prefecture, namely Ohtsuchi Town, Rikuzentakata City and Yamada Town. Thanks to the initial financial assistance received from Church World Service , NICCO has sent teams of pest control specialists in response to the urgent requests from local municipal governments. Further funding received from Japan Platform has enabled the project to be expanded to a total of 13 cities, towns and villages.  This project has been and will be carried out in cooperation with the Japan Pest Control Association.

 

Threats of a Second National Disaster

Since Tohoku area was severely hit by the earthquake and tsunami on 11th March 2011, there is considerable work to be done in clearing ruins and debris in the vast majority of land, potentially taking several months to complete. As the coming months will bring a warmer climate, it will raise the need for pest control. Potential hotspots in the devastated areas include the many seafood factories with rotten products and a large number of puddles resulting from blocked sewers. Reports are already being received on the alarming rise in numbers of rats, flies, mosquitoes and other pests in these areas. The situation demands urgent preventive actions for the pest prevalence and outbreak of infectious diseases.
(Photo left shows a seafood warehouse suffering from an infestation of maggots)

Implementation and Expansion of the Project
As most of the local governments in the affected areas are already operating to their full capacity, NICCO and Church World Service made the decision to implement the Emergency Pest Control Project immediately. NICCO has dispatched specialist teams to conduct observations of the pest situation and begun disinfectant spraying in the 3 aforementioned areas of Iwate Prefecture.

Due to the recent reports of an alarming rise of infectious insects and pests, further funding has been received from Japan Platform in order for the project to be expanded. NICCO will be conducting pest control operations in 13 coastal cities, towns and villages within the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima in the coming 6 months. This will be one of the largest pest control projects operating in the earthquake and tsunami affected areas.

 

 In Kesennuma City, Rikuzentakata City and Ohfunato City;
NICCO will conduct weekly pest inspection and implement emergency pest control operations.

 In Iwate Prefecture
(Tanohata Village, Miyako City, Yamada-cho, Ohtsuchi-cho, and Kamaishi City),
Miyagi Prefecture
(Minamisanriku Town, Ishimaki City, Onagawa Town, Higashimatsushima City),
Fukushima Prefecture (Soma City);
NICCO will conduct a monthly pest inspection and implement large scale pest control operations as necessary.

You can make a donation from NICCO's website for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
http://www.kyoto-nicco.org/english/donation/index.html
Thank you for your support and contribution.