Humanitarian Assistance
Religions for Peace Japan responds to natural disasters and human-made crises both in Japan and around the world by mobilizing the power of interreligious cooperation for humanitarian relief. Guided by the commitment to uphold the dignity of life, our work not only addresses urgent needs in times of crisis but also supports long-term recovery and emotional healing for affected communities.
Following the violent political upheaval in Myanmar in 2021, we launched fundraising campaigns to provide ongoing support for vulnerable populations through health and humanitarian programs led by our partners on the ground. In response to the war in Ukraine, we organized emergency fundraising efforts, extended financial support to local NGOs, and dispatched volunteer teams to Poland, where they collaborated with grassroots organizations to provide material aid and psychosocial support to refugees. We also convened the Tokyo Peace Roundtable to engage international religious and civic leaders in dialogue on pathways toward conflict resolution and post-war reconstruction.
When the devastating Türkiye–Syria earthquake struck in February 2023, Religions for Peace Japan provided emergency grants to both local and international NGOs working in the region. Subsequent field missions helped us to understand the evolving needs on the ground and extend further assistance. Special emphasis has been placed on supporting organizations offering mental health care for Syrian refugee children and families who face the compounded trauma of war and disaster, helping them to rebuild their lives in the midst of hardship.
More recently, after the Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck Japan on New Year’s Day 2024, we initiated a nationwide fundraising campaign and provided direct support to local groups assisting people with disabilities and others requiring special care. We also supported the activities of religious chaplains offering “listening cafés” in evacuation centers to provide spiritual and psychological care for survivors. Later that year, together with local communities, our interreligious task force members led a “Memorial and Prayer Ceremony for Recovery,” standing with those who suffered loss and committing ourselves to the long journey of reconstruction.
Through these initiatives, Religions for Peace Japan seeks to embody a humanitarian spirit that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. Our work is not limited to emergency relief but extends to fostering resilience, restoring dignity, and creating pathways for people to live again with hope.