Food shortages are becoming the latest challenge for the people of Japan as they struggle to rebuild from a devastating 9.0 earthquake, tsunamis and the threat of nuclear meltdowns at several plants across the country.
Supplies in grocery stores run low, particularly in the northern parts of the country. One person told CNN of two-hour waits at the supermarkets of Sendai. Many areas of the country lack electricity, running water, sanitation facilities and must endure five-hour waits for gas.
"People are surviving on little food and water. Things are simply not coming," Hajime Sato, a governmental official, told NPR.
Basic supplies like bread, rice and water are running out across much of the North. Though many shops are open in the north, restaurants are closed and residents are "stocking up" in case the nuclear situation worsens or food continues to arrive slowly.
The food crisis may continue for a long period of time. If the situation at the nuclear power plants should worsen, many fear that food and water supplies could become contaminated and unfit for human consumption. Others worry about the impact on the country's economy, which exports thousands of pounds of food annually. Singapore announced it would test Japan's produce for radiation as a precautionary measure.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out for the people of Japan.
Photo by The Big Picture
Comments
March 14, 2011
What is Foodista doing to help people to donate to the food crisis in Japan, besides just reporting about it?