Drops in the level of radiation near Fukushima nuclear plant, but rise in contamination of liquids and vegetables. Reactor number 3 evacuated, while the race to aid survivors continues.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Tap water in Tokyo "should not be drunk by children under a year old. However, if drunk, there is no immediate health risk, children would have to drink a lot of it before it harmed them. There is no immediate health risk to others " This is the warning issued this morning by authorities in the Japanese capital, as it tackles the consequences of the nuclear cloud that rose over Japan following the fire at nuclear power stations in the prefecture of Fukushima.

In the hardest hit district, authorities have urged people to avoid 11 species fresh of vegetables, which may be contaminated by the cloud. And a new black cloud has risen from the third reactor forcing plant managers to order the evacuation of all workers present.

The only people at work there are the engineers, who are trying in every way to cool the reactors and thus avoid a new emission of radiation: the power plants, which went on fire after the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan's coast almost two weeks ago, are still in a state of maximum alert.

The central government has also ordered to halt food shipments from the area. Yukio Edan, Minister for Commerce, explains that "there is no immediate health risk, it is desirable to avoid intake of the foods as much as possible. Importers of Japanese foods should take a logical stance”.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed victims continues to grow. Recognized bodies rose to 9,408, while 14,700 are still missing. And the authorities fear they will not be able to give "good news" about these people. Over half a million Japanese lost their homes, and 300 thousand others are housed in shelters. According to Tokyo, it will take more or less 309 billion dollars to rebuild the country.

The international community and religious associations all over the world are ready to immediately send basic necessities, and confirm their commitment to contribute to the economic reconstruction of the country. The Japanese government, however, has asked everyone to wait and go through the central authorities before doing anything. The sum of donations, which is still in foreign banks, amounts to 11 billion dollars.

Despite communication difficulties parishes continue their work of solidarity among the survivors.

Fr. David Uribe of the Missionaries of Guadalupe says that the situation is especially grave in shelters for women and children. In the diocese of Sendai, mothers prefer bringing their children to sleep in cars to avoid disturbing other refugees, but also to prevent the spread of disease. The heads of dioceses are trying to transfer women with young children to convents, but authorities prevent any movement in the area for security reasons.

Today, the Diocese of Saitama (30 km east of Tokyo) started recruiting nurses and doctors to be deployed in areas hit by the tsunami and in recent days has opened a centre to coordinate solidarity with the diocese of Sendai. A first group of volunteers started on March 19 for Sendai and is now working in the parish of Shiogama. The diocese has opened three other similar centres in the cities of Mito and Hitachi Kashima, where it has sent some 10 seminarians and deacons.

• Japan
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• earthquake
• tsunami
• disaster
• solidarity
• relief
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• church