Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (Nishihongwanji)

　２０１６（平成２８）年４月１４日に発生した「平成２８年熊本地震」により被災された皆様に衷心よりお見舞い申しあげます。
　このたびの地震によっていのちを失われた皆様、さらにはご遺族の皆様へ、心から哀悼の意を表します。また、被災され避難生活を余儀なくされる方、ご縁の方の安否を気遣い不安の中におられる方の心情をお察し申しあげますとともに、安否が定かでない方々が一刻も早く救出されますことを願っております。
　宗門では、地震発生直後から復旧支援隊の派遣と支援物資の運搬並びに義援金の受付を開始いたしました。さらに「熊本地震緊急災害対策本部」を中央に設置するとともに、熊本教区教務所（本願寺熊本別院内）に「現地緊急災害対策本部」を設置し、被害状況の把握に努め、物心両面にわたる支援をいたしております。
　未だ余震が続くなか、先行きの見えない不安を抱えながらの生活は、想像を超えた厳しいものであることと存じます。被災地等におきまして救援や復興支援などの活動にご尽力されておられる方々に深く敬意を表しますとともに、皆様の安全と一日も早い復興を願い、宗門として全力で支援してまいりたいと思います。

2016（平成28）年4月19日

浄土真宗本願寺派　 
総長　石上智康

Governor General's Message on the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

　　I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to those who were affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake that struck the Kyushu region of Japan on April 14, 2016.
　　To those who have lost their lives, and the family and friends of the bereaved, I extend my deepest condolences. Sharing in the sadness of those who have been evacuated from their homes and being unable to establish contact with their friends and relatives, I cannot imagine the anxiety that is felt. It is my hope for the safety of all missing persons and a speedy recovery of all that have been affected.
　　Immediately following the first earthquake, the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Buddhist organization started a relief fund and has been making arrangements to dispatch relief assistance to the affected areas. A Kumamoto Earthquake Emergency Headquarters at the Hongwanji headquarters in Kyoto and an on-site disaster management office at our Kumamoto district office have been established to grasp a better understanding of the situation in the area so that we may be able to provide those affected with the appropriate support both physically and emotionally.
　　The difficulties and stress that come with staying at evacuation sites and the on-going aftershocks are resulting with anxiety about what the future entails. Paying our deepest respects to those who have devoted themselves to on-site relief activities in the affected areas, we will also do our utmost in contributing to relief support and caring for the safety of all people and a quick recovery of the area.

April 19, 2016

Governor General Chiko Iwagami
Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha