A major international relief operation is under way for hundreds of thousands of people who were left homeless and millions who have been left without water, electricity, fuel or enough food.<br /><br />Friday marks a week on since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, where people observed a minute of silence for victims. <br /> <br />More than 6,500 people are confirmed dead and almost half a million others have been forced from their homes.<br /><br />The Japanese fire department that has now been called in to help control the situation at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas reports from Osaka.
