Emergency Response to Japan Earthquake

Project Report | May 9, 2016
Response to Japan Earthquakes

By Kimberly Laney | Resource Development Officer

Destruction from the quakes in Japan

Seismic activity continues in Japan's southwestern region of Kyushu with more than 1,170 aftershocks recorded since the first major earthquake on April 14. A total of 1,037 aftershocks have been recorded in the hardest-hit prefectures of Kumamoto and Oita alone. In Kumamoto city, officials still struggle to meet housing needs, and there are continued reports of evacuees in the hardest-hit areas sleeping and living in their cars. As of May 4, some 19,000 people still remain in 380 evacuation centers; many others remain displaced, living with families and friends because their homes are uninhabitable. According to local reports, Kumamoto authorities intend to open 18 new evacuation shelters that are better equipped than existing facilities. These new centers will also facilitate the reopening of schools, many of which remain closed as they are serving as evacuation centers.

International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Team continues to support the Government of Japan and local officials responding to the ongoing needs from this crisis, filling gaps and providing services to families and individuals. Our teams have found that elderly evacuees, especially those with limited mobility, are reluctant to use existing hygiene services because they feel they are inadequate or services are difficult to access. In response to the unique needs of this population, International Medical Corps has begun to deliver specialized services for elderly evacuees and individuals with limited mobility, reaching the elderly in evacuation centers with occupational and physical therapy services as well as with sanitation and bathing needs.

With centers also lacking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, International Medical Corps is emphasizing hygiene services and hygiene and relief supply distribution at evacuation centers. Teams already provided latrines to evacuation centers, helping ensure additional sanitary facilities to benefit up to 3,300 evacuees. Additionally, the our teams distributed 706 hygiene kits to help individuals and families stay healthy while displaced.

To support recovery efforts and provide care for those affected, International Medical Corps provided a two-day psychological first aid training for 15 local staff members who have regular contact with survivors, both in person and via phone counselling services. Psychological first aid training is a non-intrusive way of providing psychosocial support. It teaches doing no harm; normal reactions to stress and loss; listening in a supportive way; strengthening positive coping strategies; referrals to needed services; and staff self-care.

Moving forward, International Medical Corps will continue to support the Japanese government in its response efforts and expand ongoing efforts; our team is now assessing the potential for additional mental health training and nutrition support, especially for elderly evacuees. In addition, we will be working with local partners to provide support, capacity and technical advice for recovery efforts.

Thank you and thank you to the GlobalGiving community for your support for survivors of the quakes in Japan.

From the quakes, 19,000 people remain in centers

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Apr 20, 2016
Delivering Sanitation Care for Earthquake-Affected Families and Individuals

By Kimberly Laney | Resource Development Officer

Latrines to support evacuation centers

International Medical Corps' Emergency Response team arrived in Kumamoto, Japan, this past weekend, to support the Government of Japan’s response efforts following the April 14 and April 16 earthquakes. On April 19, in coordination with local authorities, the team delivered temporary emergency latrines to two evacuation centers in Mashiki to ease the growing strain on hygiene resources. One of the centers, which opened after the first earthquake hit on April 14, was damaged in the larger 7.0-magnitude earthquake that followed and is now accommodating thousands of people who are sleeping in their cars in the parking lot.

The team will provide additional toilets to other evacuation centers across Kumamoto in an effort to accommodate the hundreds of people currently seeking temporary shelter. International Medical Corps is also working to set up temporary showers and distribute personal hygiene items and basic relief supplies at evacuation centers. Moving forward, International Medical Corps is identifying local partners to support ongoing recovery efforts.

Casualties from the earthquakes now reaches at least 44 with an additional 1,100 people injured. On the island of Kyushu, where the earthquakes occurred, rescue personnel are still trying to access villages in remote mountainous areas that are cut off by damaged roads and landslides. More than 1,000 evacuation centers of varying size have been established by the Japanese government and local relief organizations. The government is providing food, but has stated that additional food items, as well as water, medical services, and relief supplies, are still needed, and is scaling support.

We thank you for your continued support as we work to address identified needs and support relief and recovery in Japan.

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Apr 20, 2016
Need for Hygiene and Sanitation in Evacuation Centers

By Kimberly Laney | Resource Development Officer

Toppled house in Nishihara

International Medical Corps' emergency response team is on the ground with our Japan colleagues and reached the epicenter of the quake in Kumamoto. The team is mobilizing support for local communities as part of the Government of Japan’s response efforts following the earthquakes that rocked the area late last week.

“The strong response from the Government of Japan is to be commended, and our team has witnessed the incredible strength and resilience of the Japanese people in the face of these earthquakes,” said Chris Skopec, Senior Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at International Medical Corps. “International Medical Corps is deploying additional emergency response personnel to Kumamoto as well as recruiting local staff to scale up our efforts. As we learn the extent of the damage, we will work to support the government of Japan and our local partners as needed during the relief and recovery efforts.”

To date, more than 181,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Kumamoto and are staying in shelters, community centers, and outdoors. Forty-one people were killed in the two earthquakes and another 1,000 were injured, according to local disaster management authorities. In Kumamoto Prefecture, the second larger earthquake caused buildings to collapse, road damage, and mudslides and disrupted power supply for 100,000 people and water supply for 400,000 people.

In coordination with local authorities and in support of the government’s already strong response efforts, the Emergency Response Team assessed needs at four evacuation centers in Mashiki, Nishihara, Minamiaso, and Choyo, where they found that there were not enough latrines to accommodate the hundreds of people currently seeking temporary shelter. Moreover, with more than 440 recorded aftershocks, many families and individuals residing in evacuation sites are fearful to return to their homes. International Medical Corps is now working to provide emergency toilets and distribute personal hygiene items, such as soap and toothbrushes, and basic relief supplies at evacuation centers throughout the affected area. Teams are also identifying local partners to support recovery efforts in the days and weeks ahead.

International Medical Corps thanks you and the GlobalGiving community for your support as we help those affected by the earthquakes recover.

Evacuation center in Mashiki

Destruction from the earthquakes

Impact of the earthquakes

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