Japan Quake: 24,000 Dead and Missing

Tokyo, Mar 23. -The death toll from the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11 now stands at 9,408, while 14,716 people remain missing, police said.

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According to these figures, this is the worst natural disaster since 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which left 105,000 dead.

The Japanese government on Wednesday began counting children who lost their parents in the devastating quake and tsunami and dispatched social workers to the affected areas.

While it is estimated that more that 100 children became orphans following the 1995 Kobe quake, an official of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare expressed concern that a greater number of children became orphans after the March 11 quake.

The count will be very difficult because local governments along the damaged coasts have lost their ability to properly function and are not capable of reviewing the situation of the orphaned minors, according to the ministry.

It will take time to fully launch the mission and find foster homes or foster parents for such children due to damaged roads damage and a fuel shortage, the ministry official said.

Miyagi Governor, Yoshihiro Murai, announced the beginning of 1,000 temporary homes, the first progect of its kind in the region. (Prensa Latina)