CMAT leaves Japan as radiation threat increases

Radiation levels spiked again at Japan’s damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, too much for a Canadian relief group to continue its work in the country.

The Canadian Medical Assistance Team (CMAT) flew home on Wednesday, after deciding it was no longer safe for workers to aid Japanese efforts to recover from last week’s earthquake in tsunami.

More damage was discovered at the No. 3 reactor and another fire broke out at the No. 4 reactor early Wednesday, raising fears radiation could reach the same level they did Tuesday, when officials announced they recorded measurements as high 400 millisieverts of radiation/per hour near some areas of the plant.

A representative for CMAT expressed concern for the situation, but said it was just too “unstable” for the team to stay in place.

The team, which included three paramedics, planned to set-up operations in Sendai – in hardest-hit Miyagi prefecture – after arriving in Japan Monday.

CMAT plans to monitor developments and provide what assistance they can from Vancouver and Seattle.

Another international relief agency is also dealing with obstacles caused by radiation threat and damage to roadways heading North.

The Tokyo-based wing of CARE will send three truckloads of relief goods – such as water, rice, face masks and toilet paper – to tsunami struck Iwate prefecture.

“The situation is changing daily,” says national director Katsuhiko Takeda. “Once in (the city of) Kamaishi we will assess the situation to determine how best CARE can scale up our response.

According to CAREJapan, the government will only allow a convoy of trucks to head to the area if they are carrying relief goods.