Tsunami is a hard topic for me to address.
In 2011, my two countries of residence were hit by massive natural disasters. Christchurch was hit by a series of massive earthquakes, 6 massive events over a year and over 10,000 aftershocks. The biggest and most deadly was in February 2011. My family, friends, colleagues and students were affected.
In March 2011, less than 3 weeks later Japan was rocked by a massive seismic event which resulted in a tsunami which devasted a huge area and loss of life. Figures released on 10 March 2015 in a National Police agency report confirmed 15,891 deaths, 6,152 injured, and 2,584 people missing across twenty prefectures, as well as 228,863 people living away from their home in either temporary housing or due to permanent relocation.
I was away and traveling during through the worst of it. I was ready to head home but my family and friends told me in no uncertain terms that there was nothing I could do as such and just to keep the mails and FB posts coming as they were enjoying them.
Both countries suffered building collapses, structural damage to their infrastructures and 4 years on the rebuild is still in progress. It has been long, slow and frustrating for many. Yet one of the amazing things I have witnessed and heard about constantly through hard times is “Kizuna” This Kanji was voted the kanji of the year in 2011. Kizuna means the bond between people and the connections that people make together. I am still amazed at how stoic people have been through this whole ongoing process. Throughout the hard times communities came together in support, neighbours reached out, family ties have been strengthened and friendships have been forged.
I actually have an embroidered seal of this Kanji on my tablet cover which seems appropriate as my tablet and the internet helps me make connections with friends, family and you. I wish you all “Kizuna” in good times and in bad.
In response to the OWPC Tsunami
Previous OWPC Challenges: Hurricane Wind Wet Dry Hot Cloudy Sun Storm
Yoroshiku Onegai shimasu
Leanne
NihongoJapango 
Pingback: Time Travel | NihongoJapango·
Pingback: Life in the Desert – OWPC – Sandstorm | NihongoJapango·
Pingback: One Word Photo Challenge: Sandstorm | Jennifer Nichole Wells·
Thanks Jennifer. Community ties definitely strengthened as a result. My family were lucky. Some people were hit over and over. The last big quake was on Christmas Eve 2011 in Chch. My sisters, niece nephews and bro inlaw joined the masses of volunteers and went to help an old aged pensioner dig her yard out from the horrible gluggy liquefaction that bubbled up with every significant quake. It was the 5th time she had been hit.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you are okay and I’m sorry for the loss and devastation your loved ones have experienced. I’m always amazed by people’s abilities to come together in times like you’ve described here. Thank you for sharing your experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person