Evaluation of the JRCS and IFRC Recovery and Rehabilitation Interventions After The Great East Japan Earthquake And Tsunami of 11 March 2011

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (GEJET) struck the North-East of Japan on March 11, 2011. The 9.0 tremor caused a devastating tsunami that affected the Tohoku coastal region. As of March 2013, 15,881 people were confirmed killed, and 2,668 were still missing. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered severe damage, leading to nuclear contamination and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Even two years after the disaster, approximately 298,000 individuals from the affected areas still reside in temporary accommodation.

The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) promptly responded by dispatching medical teams and coordinating relief efforts with local authorities, other organizations, and international partners. Although JRCS did not issue an international appeal, significant financial support came from other National Societies and donors, totaling JPY 59.7 billion (USD 737 million). Additionally, substantial donations were collected from the Japanese public.

JRCS allocated international funding to recovery actions, collaborating closely with local authorities in the most affected prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima) and assisting displaced individuals who relocated elsewhere in Japan. An independent evaluation conducted two years later assessed recovery and rehabilitation interventions, providing valuable insights for ongoing efforts.