Emergency Response to Kumamoto Earthquakes

Almost three months have passed since a strong earthquake shook Kumamoto prefecture. The quake has a recorded magnitude 7.0 on 14^th April and another one which is almost the same level occurred two days later. At least 75 people were killed and 3,000 others were injured. There were more than 180,000 evacuees at the peak and 155,066 buildings and houses were destroyed (10^th July, 2016).

In response, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) dispatched an emergency response team consisting of four staff members. They started serving meals at a makeshift soup kitchen on 15^th April at Iino primary school in Mashiki town in collaboration with the Peace Project, a Japanese NPO.

With the help of local authorities, the AAR Japan team carefully selected the soup kitchen venues that were closest to the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and persons with disabilities, among the survivors.

Throughout the duration of the project, the Team conducted a total of 44 soup kitchens and distributed 18,710 hot meals. The Team provided a variety of meals such as curry, Yakisoba (fried noodles) and so on. The meals were distributed not only to evacuees at the evacuation center but also to people who live near the center. This is because it took for long time to recover gas and water. Some people formed line with pots to bring meals to their family members.

The meals were also delivered to welfare facilities where many were evacuated. Almost nobody could prepare enough food for everyone as these facilities were not designed to be temporary evacuation centers and their capabilities to accommodate the earthquake survivors are limited.

AAR Japan also distributed non-food items, with a focus on helping the elderly and persons with disabilities by providing sanitary items, water and other materials based on individual needs. AAR Japan also provided wheelchairs to one of the facilities for swift transportation of elderly people.

Once facilities for PWDs returned to their daily operation, the concern of the cracked buildings and damaged equipment became a major issue. Facilities in affected area called upon AAR Japan for support because the government subsidies for building repairs was limited. AAR Japan provided machines and equipment for one of the facilities where persons with disabilities make a living by making and selling hand-crafts, bento box and baked goods.

This was made possible by your support through Global Giving. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your warm support. AAR Japan will continue to support people who began new life in temporally housing units in addition to support to the facilities for people with disabilities.