Emergency Response to Japan Earthquake

Local disaster management authorities in Japan now report 41 people were killed and another 970 were injured in the 7.0 and 6.2-magnitude quakes. 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. More than 165 aftershocks have been recorded since the first earthquake hit, with more likely to occur.

Over 91,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Kumamoto and are staying in shelters, community centers, and outdoors. The 500-bed city hospital in Kumamoto also was evacuated. Torrential rains are expected in the coming days, heightening the risk of additional landslides as well as flooding, leading local disaster management authorities to encourage as many as 170,000 people to evacuate. A small eruption also occurred at Mount Aso in southern Japan on Saturday and is currently at alert level two on a scale of five.

International Medical Corps activated its emergency response team after Japan was rocked by the second powerful 7.0 magnitude quake. The earthquake, which struck at 1:25 am local time on April 16, came just one day after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the area along with several strong aftershocks.

The experts deployed to Japan will join colleagues from International Medical Corps’ office in Tokyo and together the team will work in support of the Government of Japan and local organizations to assess needs and deliver any needed assistance.

The generous support of GlobalGiving donors is critical to help provide local communities with assistance following the impact of the quakes.