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Our Sister State in Need: Tragedy in Miyagi

Written on: March 18th, 2011 in Helping Our Neighbors

We have all been watching the devastating events in Japan with heartache and compassion.

Our state has long had a close relationship with Miyagi Prefecture, beginning with Governor Castle and evolving into a formal sister-state partnership under Governor Carper in 1997. But the relationships go well beyond our governors to where it really matters: the people of Delaware and Miyagi have built lasting and meaningful friendships over the years.

Our businesses have worked together to help expand our markets and employ more people, both in Delaware and Miyagi.

Parents from Delaware and Miyagi have hosted our children, taking them in as our own. Teachers and classmates from both states have helped our students understand each of our cultures and each other as mentors and friends.

I’m extremely proud of the outpouring of support that we’ve heard from Delawareans. Many of us, across the state, want to reach across the ocean to help.

We have been in contact with our colleagues in Miyagi since Friday, and we will be identifying ways that we can help as they develop a better understanding of the full impact of the earthquake and the tsunami. In the meantime, we have established the Delaware Fund for Miyagi, Japan with the Delaware Community Foundation.

We hope that you will consider contributing and also let us know about any efforts that you are already working on.

Delaware is the state of neighbors – thank you for your interest in helping our neighbors on the other side of the world.

Tags: aid, Delaware, donation, earthquake, Governor Jack Markell, Japan, Miyagi, relief, tsunami