SWC Pledges $25,000 for Noto Quake Relief

New Year’s Day Temblor Killed 260, Injured 13,000 in Japan

How to Help

Donations may be made by check payable to the BCA Endowment Foundation and mailed to: BCA Endowment Foundation, 2140 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704, or by credit card online at https://bca.kindful.com to open the Donate Now window.  

Please note in the memo section of your check “Disaster Relief (Noto)” or if donating online click on the “Select a Campaign” drop-down menu and select “Disaster Relief (Noto)”.

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In response to the devastating and deadly Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day, the BCA Social Welfare Committee (SWC) is committing up to $25,000 to aid with the relief efforts.

The 7.6-magnitude earthquake killed 260 people, injured 13,000 and destroyed 100,000 buildings when it struck on Jan. 1, 2024, northeast of Suzu on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture.

The shaking and the accompanying tsunami caused widespread destruction on the Noto Peninsula, particularly in the towns of Suzu, Wajima, Noto and Anamizu. Neighboring prefectures of Toyama and Niigata also recorded significant damage.  

This earthquake is the deadliest since the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.  

The Noto Peninsula experienced damage to road networks, water supply, wastewater systems, and electrical power supply.  

The Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas are still undergoing recovery and cleanup efforts. Damage to water supply systems occurred in Ishikawa, Toyama, Gifu and Niigata prefectures. 

In the northern Noto Peninsula area, a large number of residents still do not have access to tap water and the full extent of the damage to the water supply system is still undetermined. Wastewater systems were severely damaged and restoration work is still ongoing. Two power plants were shut down because of the earthquake and have yet to be restored.  

After the disaster, many people remain in limbo living in community halls and temporary housing.  Many of them are elderly. As the survivors move into temporary housing, they need household items such as small appliances, kitchenware and cooking utensils.  Nonprofit organizations are working to distribute needed items to the survivors and are seeking donations to support this effort.

The BCA expresses our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the earthquake. 

Through the BCA Social Welfare Committee, we can collectively respond to such tragedies, thanks to the generous support of the BCA Sangha.

Donations will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000, and may be made by check payable to the BCA Endowment Foundation and mailed to: BCA Endowment Foundation, 2140 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704 or by credit card online at https://bca.kindful.com to open the Donate Now window.  

Please note in the memo section of your check “Disaster Relief (Noto)” or if donating online click on the “Select a Campaign” drop-down menu and select “Disaster Relief (Noto)”.  Thank you for your generous support.