Last Updated: 19/03/2011

For reliable information on the Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Radiation, please view this news article.

There is no doubt that we witnessed on Friday 11th March what will be considered one of the most significant natural disasters in the Pacific Region for many years. The media images of the earthquakes in Japan and the contacts we have had with people within this region have given us an insight to the magnitude of the tragedy unfolding.

PPC Worldwide has services available within Japan for organisations impacted by the tsunami and the earthquakes. Our EAP support partners have moved to disaster response mode and have instigated the recovery program.

If your organisation is currently registered with PPC Worldwide for the provision of your Employee Assistance Program in Japan, your people can contact the PPC Worldwide provider in Japan directly on 0120 84 2662 (Dohjin). Please be aware that there are telephone connection difficulties within Japan at present due to physical disruptions as well as intense communication traffic. If your people need Critical Incident / on site support, please be aware also that our counsellors may be impeded in their response by transport and localised physical safety concerns.

For counselling responses for organisations that have people within Japan on a temporary basis such as business or holiday travel, we have set up a specific e-mail address to enable communication with our International Team to occur in a streamlined manner. This is japan@au.ppcww.com We will work with you to find the best possible solution to support your people in need. Please be as clear and specific about your needs as you can (including contact phone numbers for you) to allow us to prioritise with you the support required for any affected people.

If you experience difficulties with the e-mail or in-country telephone numbers, please remember that in Australia our 1300 361 008 toll free number can also be called 24/7 for Australian based emergency support.

If you have colleagues, family or friends in Japan, we would encourage you to regularly access the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website to monitor developments. This website is www.dfat.gov.au Additional information regarding safety and movement concerns in Japan can also be found on www.smarttraveller.gov.au These sites are updated regularly.

The following is an advisory issued by the Department of foreign Affairs and Trade: If you are in Japan and require assistance, you can contact the Australian Embassy in Tokyo on 03 5232 4111 and you will be transferred to the Crisis Centre.

If concerned about friends and relatives: If you are concerned about Australians in Japan you should in the first instance try to contact them directly. If this is unsuccessful, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (within Australia).

The volunteer support programs have also moved to disaster support in Japan. The International Red Cross has established a joint program with Japanese Red Cross, and Red Crescent Societies around the world, to assist people to help restore contact between separated family members. The web link is below. This website is available in a number of languages including Japanese. www.familylinks.icrc.org/eng/familylinks-japan

You will also find in this PPC update area a number of information sheets that you might find useful depending upon the circumstances of your people. We will be ensuring these are translated into Japanese if you have a need to redirect them to your people on the ground in Japan. We already have several information sheets in Japanese and these can be obtained by e-mailing japan@au.ppcww.com. Please also use this e-mail address for any feedback regarding support we can provide to you for the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan.

As further resources and information becomes available, PPC Worldwide will update this website. Please remember too that you PPC Worldwide Client Account Manager can be contacted to help you.

Our thoughts go out to those many people across Japan and across the globe that have been affected by the earthquakes and the tsunami.

Tip sheets and resources relating to coping with a natural disaster of this magnitude are available on this website home page if this is relevant for you or your people.

Looking after yourself after a traumatic event
Helping Children After A Disaster
Traumatic Events for Employees
Traumatic Events for Managers - Japanese
Trauma Response Services - Guide For Managers - Japanese  
Tips for Better Sleep During Difficult Times - English
Tips for Better Sleep During Difficult Times - Japanese