The Colombian Embassy in Japan is evaluating the possibility of organizing a Humanitarian Assistance Plan for the voluntary return to Colombia of people who have been affected by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that shook Japan March 11, newspaper El Espectador reported Thursday.
The embassy is currently adhering to the guidelines put forth by the Japanese government, which has not issued any warning to evacuate besides for those living within about 12 miles of the Fukushima nuclear plant, which has seen two explosions of its nuclear reactors over the past four days.
With the purpose of dealing with each Colombian currently living in Japan on case by case basis, the Colombian government has put together applications for assistance with returning to Colombia, to be delivered to the Colombian Embassy in Tokyo after March 17.
Applications will be evaluated directly by the national government and priority will be given to those most vulnerable including: people who have been severely effected by the earthquake or tsunami, pregnant women, mothers with children, elders or those suffering from an illness.
The Humanitarian Assistance Plan will help Colombian return to Bogota, but will not include a subsequent return to Japan.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, there are 1,820 Colombians registered in Japan. Of those, 27 reside in the areas most affected by the quake.