OREANDA-NEWS. March 11, 2011. The authorities must take all necessary measures to protect people’s lives and prevent damage in the event of a tsunami, Dmitry Medvedev said at a State Council Presidium meeting in Khakassia, and noted that Russia is ready to help Japan in the earthquake and tsunami disaster relief effort.

“Today, Japan was hit by a powerful earthquake of magnitude of some 9 degrees. The earthquake has caused widespread destruction and claimed victims. Naturally, we are ready to come to the aid of our neighbours and assist them in the disaster relief effort following this major earthquake.

A state of emergency has been declared in our own territory – on the Kuril Islands and in Sakhalin Region. The authorities there must take all necessary measures to prevent damage and, above all, protect people’s lives, because we know that large tsunamis have already struck and in part have reached our shores too, and so we all must be as prepared and united as possible now.

I instruct the Emergencies Minister to file for my approval the disaster relief assistance proposals.”