Japan: One year on - 9 Mar 2012

It was just before 3pm local time that the ground shook, buildings crumpled and the air was filled with sirens. An 8.9 earthquake had struck off the coast of Japan, the first of a triple threat of disasters that would mark March 11th 2011 as a nightmare. The resulting tsunami and potential nuclear meltdown left Japan reeling and faced with the most expensive natural disaster in human history.

So one year on, we stand on the brink of the anniversary of that terrible day. Needless to say, for the Japanese, it has been a year marked by sorrow, tragedy, hard work and personal journey. But yet we stand encouraged by stories that Japan remains hurt but not hopeless, wounded but not defeated and suffering but standing strong. We are taking next week to commemorate that fateful day one year ago; it is hard to describe something of this magnitude, so we thought we would start like this, as a picture speaks a thousand words....

Click on the image below for the full photo blog             

These pictures were taken by a team sent out by 24-7, led by Jon Petersen, who have been travelling to Japan all year to help with the relief work. Next week we will be following their journey and experiences from a year that has taught them that hope will rise even from the darkest night.