We extend our deepest sympathies to the peoples of Japan and Ecuador whose countries have experienced the devastating effects of powerful earthquakes over the past five days.

In the case of Japan, the southern island of Kyushu was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake last Thursday, followed by a 6.2-magnitude tremor the following day, killing at least 42 people and forcing more than 150,000 into evacuation shelters.

Wire service reports have told us that at least 270,000 people are without water, gas has been cut off, and approximately 35,000 people were, up to yesterday, still without electricity across the affected area.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this tragedy is the fact that the authorities are still unable to determine if there are other fatalities. In fact, a Japanese Government official has been reported as saying that they “simply don’t know how many people were buried under landslides”.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/A-message-for-Jamaica-from-Japan-and-Ecuador_58108