Haida Gwaii receives grant money from Japanese government for tsunami debris cleanup

A grant from the Japanese government will help B.C.’s Haida Gwaii clean up tsunami debris.

$139,000 will be awarded to the Haida Gwaii Tsunami Debris Committee (HGTDC) over two years.

A minimum of four accessible and four remote access cleanup sites will be set up in Haida Gwaii to deal with debris. Reusing and recycling of tsunami debris will be prioritized over disposal.

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In total, the Japanese government has issued $1 million worth of grants to the Canadian government for tsunami debris cleanup.

“The spirit of volunteerism on Haida Gwaii is amazing and I look forward to seeing these funds go to good use by expanding the islands’ collective effort in cleaning up tsunami debris,” said B.C. environment minister Mary Polak in a statement.

An estimated five million tonnes of debris was washed into the sea following the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake in March 2011.

To see a map of confirmed tsunami debris sightings, click here

If you spot suspected tsunami debris, send a report to: DisasterDebris@noaa.gov