Update on Situation in Japan

Posted by By WDN Staff at 30 March, at 04 : 19 AM Print

(Equestrian Australia) -The JEF have expressed they have shortages in feed, bedding and rugs for horses. EA Chairman Paul Cargill has advised that Australia will provide any assistance necessary.

At this stage all of the horses near the power plant have been moved to a safer area but there have been a number of horses lost due to the tsunami or earthquake.

The horse population in the affected area is approximately 300. However, there is no way to calculate how many horses have been lost or evacuated to other places.

Many of the riding clubs are helping each other to provide shelter and feed for the horses from the affected areas.

The latest correspondence from Yasuhiko Haruta, Managing Director, Japan Equestrian Federation to Paul Cargill read as follows….

28/3/ 2011

The transportation lines are getting better. But there are still number of devastated places are cut off for from relief items.

Our urgent operations, work together with other association and Volunteers for horses/horseman are working. It is very difficult to give some help even for all, we can do only the part. We know that these are not enough, but the transportation start working, so it is going to help them in general, I hope.

The Reactor Plant is still very serious. We are feeling bottomless fear, and many of people including horses are evacuated to certain distance, some of them still near there. We can’t foresee when they are able to return to their original places.

Radiation contaminations are spread not only air but also to ag products, soil, water-works and sea water too.

So far the contamination area is limited, it is safe in Tokyo but it is really urgent to stop radiation leak as early as possible.

We have sad news every day, the number of dead/missing people are always increasing, yesterday it was over 27 thousands.

Thank you for your thought and prayers, we also send sincere sympathy to suffered people.

FEI President HRH Princess Haya has also been in regular contact with Japan to ensure them of the support available from the international Equestrian community.