Emergency Response to Noto Peninsula Earthquake

The Noto Peninsula earthquake caused extensive damage to the water supply infrastructure, and more than two months after the quake, water continues to be cut off in large areas. AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) continues to provide support to alleviate water-related inconveniences by distributing drinking water to facilities for the people with disabilities and evacuation centers, as well as providing electric pumps for wells and operating mobile hot bath service.

In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, water was cut off to more than 11,000 households in almost all areas due to the earthquake. Water outages have been resolved in approximately 3,400 households by late February, but many households and evacuation centers are still without water service. Not only are people unable to use tap water for cooking and drinking, but also for bathing, using the toilet, washing clothes, and brushing teeth, they are forced to live an restricted life with a heavy burden caused by water outage.

In Machino-machi, Wajima City, where the water supply had been cut off for a long time, a plan was underway to restore a previously used “dormant well” and use it as water for daily use. At the request of the local people, AAR provided two electric pumps to pump water from the wells. When the pumps were attached to the wells and water came out of the connected pipes with enough force, the people cheered loudly.

After that, plumbing work was done and water was able to be sent from the well to the kitchen of the voluntary shelter. A woman, who had been struggling even to wash dishes because the water supply had been cut off, said, “Now I can finally use water normally. I now understand how much I appreciate the water supply that I used to take for granted,” she said with a look of relief on her face.

AAR has also provided a laundry machine in a common space near this voluntary shelter, which is shared by those who have taken refuge in the shelter. Those who used to travel to distant laundromats or wash their dishes by hand in cold water expressed their gratitude, saying, “This is really helpful.”

The mobile hot bath service, which began operating on February 19th, has been touring evacuation centers and other locations and has received positive feedback from survivors who have used it. A woman who assisted an elderly family member in taking a bath said, “She didn’t want to go to the bath served by Self Defence Force, which has various restrictions, and I was at a loss as to what to do for her. So, it really helped that she was able to take a relaxing hot bath here.” On March 2, accompanied by a volunteer who can assist with bathing, people with disabilities and others who need assistance were able to take hot bath without the help of family members.

It will take a long time before the water is fully restored, and the survivors are still forced to live without free access to water. AAR will continue to provide support to alleviate their difficulties. We appreciate your cooperation in AAR’s support for the Noto Peninsula earthquake victims.

Links:

• AAR English website

Two months after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, more than 11,000 people are still forced to live in evacuation centers, in their cars, or in their half-broken homes. AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan), has distributed assortments of yokans (sweet bean jelly), cookies and other items to cheer up the affected people as much as possible, together with local welfare facilities.

Yu no Oka, operated by the Nonohana Fukushikai social welfare corporation in Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a welfare service office for people with disabilities to which AAR delivered support immediately after the earthquake. On January 3rd, we provided drinking water, food, and cleaning supplies, and afterwards we delivered portable toilets, toilet tents, and hygiene products since they were in continuous water outage.

Staff members of "Yu no Oka" distributed snacks to the local residents, together with AAR staff members, hoping to do something helpful for the survivors since they had been helped immediately after the disaster. We also aimed to help clear up their mind while feeling depressed after being evacuated from their homes, by visiting door to door and have a chat, even for a short time.

The assorted bags contain "Suzu salt" cookies handmade by users at the welfare facility, messages and drawings of "Let us do our best, Noto" and other messages, as well as yokans provided by Toraya Confectionery Co., Ltd (Tokyo).

Under the flurry of snow, AAR staff members, along with users and staff of Yu no Oka, and neighborhood association presidents, were divided into five groups and visited approximately 300 households in the Takashina district of Nanao City to deliver the assortment of snacks. The recipients all said "thank you" with smiles.

Mr. Honda, 79, chairman of Yu no Oka, said, "Sweets help us forget the pain of the disaster, even if only for a moment. I hope that the residents will take a good rest after eating yokans and our cookies and regain energy. It is heartbreaking to hear the news of the disaster, but it is important to do something tiny but cheerful to move forward."

In the severe situation, people affected by the disaster are trying to overcome their difficulties by helping each other through relationships among communities. We would like to ask for your cooperation in AAR's support for the survivors of the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Links:

• AAR English website