Volunteers Work in Shifts to Sort Through Donated Aid Goods

About 30 volunteers, made up of students and office workers, began sorting through donated aid goods this morning in Okayama prefectural city hall.

One after the other, ground sheets, tissue paper etc were brought into the public rooms on the first floor and sorted into boxes by the volunteers. When packed, the boxes were delivered to meeting rooms in the south wing that had been turned into temporary storage. The work was divided in to early and late shifts, and continued until 9pm.

Around 130 people volunteered. The work will continue until the 21st in alternating groups of 30-40 people. Meanwhile, from the 14th when donations opened until today, around 2100 people have brought over 20 different kinds of goods such as batteries and disposable nappies.

According to the prefectural authorities, every day since the earthquake they have received about 10 enquiries from people wanting to help in the affected area. However, the situation on the ground is still uncertain and it is difficult for volunteers to go there. "At this stage, we want people to take measures in their local area by donating money and goods" said a spokesperson.

(Original Japanese text)
http://town.sanyo.oni.co.jp/news_s/d/2011031823324796

救援物資の仕分け始まる

岡山県庁でボランティア３０人

　県庁で朝から始まった救援物資の仕分け作業には、学生や会社員ら約30人のボランティアが参加した。

　１階県民室には毛布やビニールシート、ティッシュペーパーなどが次々に運び込まれ、品目別に段ボールに箱詰め。
　詰め終わった箱は倉庫代わりに用意した南棟の会議室へ台車で搬送。作業は早番、遅番に分かれ、午後９時まで続いた。
　県の仕分けボランティアには約１３０人が応募。人を入れ替えながら、30〜40人ずつが21日まで作業を行う。
　一方、14日に受け付けが始まった救援物資はこの日までに、約２１００人から乾電池や紙おむつなど約20品目以上が持ち込まれた。
　県によると、被災地は状況が落ち着かずボランティアの現地入りが難しい中、地震の発生以来、「現地で支援活動をしたい」といった問い合わせも日に十数件あるという。県は「現段階では募金のほか、物資の支援など県内で取り組めることを求めたい」としている。(3/18 23:32)