University of Victoria, British Columbia Canada, Announcements
March 13, 2011

The University of Victoria Responds to the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Message from President David Turpin

“I know I speak for all members of the University of Victoria community when I express our immense sadness at the devastation and loss of life being experienced by the people of Japan as a result of the massive earthquake and tsunami.

Student Affairs, including our International and Exchange Student Services and Cooperative Education and Career Services, have been in touch with all of the UVic students and staff who are in Japan, and current information indicates that all are safe. We have also received reassuring updates from alumni branches in Japan.

The Division of Continuing Studies and International and Exchange Student Services have been working on contacting all on-campus Japanese students, to express concern and sympathy, and to offer support and counselling services to all who may require them. These efforts will continue.

As the emergency response continues, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to individuals and families who have lost neighbours, colleagues, friends and loved ones.”

Last Updated: April 15, 2011

Travel Advisories to Japan

Up to date information about Canada's response to the earthquake and travel to Japan.

Updates on Japan's nuclear reactors

The latest news from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

Information for UVic Students in Japan

The University of Victoria is advising its academic and research units who may have students pursuing academic courses or research projects in Japan to strongly recommend that the students return to Canada.

If you are a UVic student who is currently in Japan who has not been contacted by the University, please contact the appropriate office at the university as soon as possible.

The Canadian embassy in Tokyo advises Canadians in distress in Japan to phone the embassy at 011-81-3-5412-6200, the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-944-2741 or 613-943-1056 or email sos@international.gc.ca. The Canadian embassy is located at 7-3-38 Akasaka Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8503 Japan.

The embassy also requests that all Canadians abroad register with its Registration of Canadians Abroad service

Students who are out-of-country should contact their UVSS group medical plan at 1-866-601-2583.

Graduate students can call Pacific Blue Cross by reaching an overseas operator and requesting a collect call to 604-419-4487.

Information for UVic International Students from Japan

UVic students have organized a "UVic Support Japan Committee" to discuss how to assist Japan and to help students connect to discuss recent events. For further information please contact students Keiichi Otani (keiichi0531@hotmail.com or kotani@uvic.ca) and Hiroko Ota (hirokota@uvic.ca). Contact the committee at u.vic.prayforjapan@gmail.com.

Visiting clinical psychologist and counsellor Dr. Haruki Miyakawa from Texukayama University in Japan is also offering assistance. Dr. Miyakawa can be contacted at hmiyakaw@uvic.ca.

A conversation lounge for peer connection in Japanese language for UVic Japanese international students will be held in the Human and Social Development Buidling, room B141 every Friday (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

If you are an international student from Japan and you need support or counselling from the University, please contact the appropriate office, listed below.

Marlene Thiebaut, an exchange student from France, has created a video in support of Japan.

Contacts:

Earthquake and Tsunami Public Forum

On March 17 the university held a public forum on understanding and responding to Japan's earthquake and tsunami. For a comprehensive report on the presentations and links to useful and informative websites click here.

Information for Staff and Faculty

Staff or faculty in Japan should contact MediAssist immediately. MediAssist will co-ordinate any out-of-country care that is required. Reach MediAssist at 604-419-4487

For further information, please call the UVic benefits office:

Valerie McCubbin, Benefits Clerk: 250-472-4581, 250-472-4581, vmccubbi@uvic.ca
Fran McMurray, Benefits Clerk: 250-721-6522, 250-721-6522, franm@uvic.ca

Those attempting to call Japan from the Uvic campus should dial 9-1-800-646-0000 to reach a Telus 'Dial Around' operator. Please be advised that circuits to Japan are currently overloaded and calls may not go through.

Interfaith Chapel

The UVic Interfaith Chapel is open for those who wish to spend some quiet time for reflection, to meditate or to offer prayers for Japan. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Web-links for Further Information

Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver email address: earthquake@consuljpnvan.com

Yoichi Ikeda
Consul
Consulate General of Japan, Vancouver
TEL : 1-604-684-5868(Ext.227)
FAX : 1-604-684-6939
earthquake@consuljpnvan.com
http://www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/

News source:

Asahi Shimbun English edition: http://www.facebook.com/AJW.Asahi

Person Finder: (for assistance in contacting people in Japan)

Person Finder  (in Japanese) http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=ja

Person Finder: (in English) http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en

Contribute to the recovery effort

The following organizations are accepting donations to assist in the recovery effort in Japan:

The four largest Japanese Canadian organizations have joined together to raise funds for emergency relief efforts in Japan. Check out upcoming fund-raising events and activities at http://www.vncs.ca

(image: fern)