Finnish liquid milk sent to affected areas in Kumamoto
Finnish dairy manufacturer Valio's baby liquid milk "Tuuti" were donated as relief goods for those suffering from the Kumamoto Earthquake. Ambassador of Finland Manu Virtamo visited Kumamoto together with Chairman of the Japan-Finland Parliamentary Friendship League Yuriko Koike on April 27th to directly hand the donation to the Governor of Kumamoto Ikuo Kabashima.
The initiative was taken by the Japan-Finland Parliamentary Friendship League, who contacted the Finnish companies and other partners to realize the project in haste. The reaction was fast- Valio consented on giving 5190 packs of baby liquid milk, Finnish logistics company Niemi transported the goods from Valio's factory to the Helsinki Airport, Finnair brought them to Narita, and JAL to Kumamoto by a domestic flight, the shipment already arriving on April 26th. The goods and services were all given free of charge, with all parties hoping for a fast recovery from the chain of earthquakes and natural disasters which started on April 14th.
Ambassador Virtamo and parliamentarian Koike flew to Kumamoto on April 27th, first making a visit to Governor Kabashima, who gladly consented on receiving and distributing the liquid milk together with Yasushi Kaneko, MP for the Liberal Democratic Party from Kumamoto. Presentation ceremonies were held at the Kumamoto Prefectural Government, and also at the Aso Konotori Daycare, where Ambasador handed "Tuuti" liquid milk to the small children, together with a surprise gift of Moomin dolls. "It was heart-breaking to see the damage caused to this beautiful city and the pain and suffering caused to its people. Let me express my sincere condolences to all those who were affected by the disaster," Ambassador said in his speech, touching upon the fond memory of visiting Kumamoto as one of his first destinations after assuming the post in Tokyo. "Our sincere hope is that this humble gesture will not only nourish the babies of Kumamoto but also bring a message to the community that they have not been forgotten even far away from home."
Liquid milk from Finland were very much appreciated during the Tohoku Earthquake in 2011, when Japanese mothers living in Finland exerted efforts in sending them to the affected areas as relief goods. The Japanese market only has powder milk for babies, but they require hot water to prepare, which can be seriously lacking in the devastated areas. MP Koike who supported the donation project in 2011 remembered about liquid milk, and as the current Chairman of the Japan-Finland Parliamentary Friendship League, called for cooperation.
Liquid milk delivered from Valio's factory to Helsinki Airport by logistics company Niemi:
Video of Ambassador Virtamo and Chairman Koike at the Aso Konotori Nursery: