Following up on David Slater's message about numbers of
volunteers:

1) Together, Shakyo Volunteer Centers in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima registered/deployed some 8000 volunteers per day during the Golden Week period. Although the numbers are still somewhat fluid, after golden week the daily average seems to have dropped to around 4900 volunteers per day. Shakyo does report, however, that numbers for the weekend of May 14-15 were better than weekend figures before golden week (although, not higher than GW peaks of over 11000/day). Volunteer centers in Sendai are reporting very significant decreases after GW. These figures, of course, are still subject to revision and do not include numbers for NPOs/NGOs that are conducting their own volunteer programs independent of Shakyo Volunteer Centers. The key question is whether or not the numbers will continue to drop or will stabilize.

For reference: In month 3 after the Kobe earthquake, volunteer numbers decreased by 1/3 from the peak in month 1 (Jan 17-Feb 17). In month 4, the numbers were only 1/16 of the peak. Most outside volunteers (many university students) had gone home by then leaving mainly NGOs and local volunteer groups/networks.

2) A number of NPO/NGO representatives at the latest Government-Civic Group Liaison Meeting (on May 12) reported a sharp drop in volunteer numbers after GW. A representative from Peace Boat said their numbers had fallen dramatically.

3) There is apparently also a worrying shortage of women volunteers.
NPO/NGO representatives are not really sure why but suggest that concerns about access to affected areas and the nature of the volunteer work may be discouraging some women. They are hoping this situation will improve.

4) NPO/NGO representatives are calling on corporations to strengthen their in-house corporate volunteer programs (for example, employee volunteer leave) as well as universities (i.e. credit for volunteer work). Interestingly, one activist said that while the Kobe earthquake of 1995 was "Year one of the Volunteer Age" (Borantia Gannen), 2011 must become "CSR Gannen" ("Year One of the Corporate Social Responsibility Age"). There is a real concern that there will be no group to fill the gap left by students whose numbers may continue to decrease now that schools/universities are in session. Related to this: on May 6 Mitsubishi Corporation announced up to
2.5 million yen in funding for civic groups involved in recovery efforts.
Other companies have initiated similar programs.

Simon Avenell
NUS