Japanese residents of Isobe in Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture now have a new community centre and shelter. The centre is one of four major rebuilding projects undertaken with donations from the people of Singapore, following the 2011 disaster.
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SINGAPORE: Japanese residents of Isobe in Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture now have a new community centre-cum-shelter.
The Isobe Community Centre was opened by the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local Soma City officials.
The centre is one of four major rebuilding projects undertaken with donations from the people of Singapore, following the 2011 disaster.
Isobe suffered extensive damage during the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011.
Built at a cost of S$2.1 million, the new Isobe Community Centre will serve as a space for shared activities. It will also serve as a disaster prevention centre and emergency holding area for the city’s 2,000 residents.
The centre is adjacent to Isobe Junior School, which can double up as a helipad for evacuation purposes during future emergencies.
SRC has also funded the construction of other facilities in the affected Tohoku region.
These include the Taro Support Centre in Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture, that was completed in November 2011 and serves 1,700 residents monthly. Another project is the Shichigahama Toyama Nursery School for 90 students that was officially opened in May 2013.
Still under construction is the multi-purpose community hall in Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture. It will be ready by September 2014.
The community hall will serve as a disaster relief centre that will be integrated with the city’s fire and police departments.
– CNA/ac