Japan earthquake: Vietnamese in Japan remain united

A house destroyed by the earthquake in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Tokyo (VNA) – Following the recent earthquakein Japan, many Vietnamese in localities adjacent to Ishikawa prefecture - one ofthe worst affected areas - provided aid for their disaster-hit compatriots. They worked to provide fresh water as the damaged supply system had yet to be restored as ofJanuary 5.

On January 4evening, a group of volunteers gathered at a store in Ishikawa’s Komatsu with cannedand bottled water, along with instant noodles and rice, and disposable bowlsand chopsticks, among other items.  

Nguyen Chi Thanh Duoc, owner of the store, told theVietnam News Agency that he and others contacted Vietnamese in theearthquake-striken areas to learn about their needs.

Many Vietnamese citizens across Japan have expressedtheir wish and readiness to support the victims, he said.  

It was not easy to approach Vietnamese near the epicentredue to the extreme cold and damaged roads, Duoc said, adding that it took his 10-member support group more than four hours to reach the destination.

Earlier, the Vietnamese Embassy there said there had been nocasualties among the Vietnamese citizens the devastating earthquake as of9pm on January 2.

The embassy set up hotlines for citizen protection,while forming a special working group to closely follow the situation,especially the safety of Vietnamese people living, studying and working inlocalities affected by the natural disaster./.

VNA