Tokyo, JAPAN, July 31, 2012

Frederick Gerber, Project HOPE’s Director for Special Programs and Operations, delivered a lecture at the University of Tokyo in July as part of a seminar, Disaster Medical Relief Support Responding to Community Needs. The seminar was hosted by the Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) and the University of Tokyo to help cultivate graduate students demonstrating the promise of becoming the next generation of leaders in global health.

Gerber, with 38 years of experience in disaster relief, presented a lecture on Disaster Preparedness and Response and covered the real world problems encountered during and after the Great East Earthquake/Tsunami of March 2011, including the care of the elder population and disadvantaged. “In the immediate aftermath of the March 2011 triple disaster (earthquake, tsunami, radiation) Project HOPE responded with medical volunteers to the Tohoku affected areas,” Gerber says. “This included Japanese speaking physicians and nurses, radiation subject matter experts, disaster planners, etc.”

Project HOPE is implementing a post-disaster program in the town of Yamada-chu, targeted to assist Japan’s elder care population during natural disasters. The program focuses on modern technology and the training of local Japanese attendants and families using state-of-the-industry medical simulation. The program is being implemented through the generous donation of Johnson & Johnson.