Japan Disaster: Relief & Recovery

Peace Winds’ airborne search-and-rescue team, ARROWS, continues to provide various types of support in Fukuoka and Saga Prefectures following the heavy rains, flooding, and mudslides that struck the area on July 10. Damage to homes is more severe than initially reported, and aid groups are working to clear debris and clean up flooded houses. Peace Winds has provided supplies such as work gloves, flashlights, and tarps to support cleanup activities.

To support flood survivors, Peace Winds provided large water tanks for carrying water to the Saga City Volunteer Center. The center is supporting residents during restoration work on their homes that have had their water supply cut off due to landslides. Peace Winds also delivered tents to the Saga Disaster Assistance Plaftform’s base in Karatsu.

Although the rain has cleared and conditions in northern Kyushu are sunny, the weather now presents a different challenge. Social welfare councils, which are working with support groups and volunteers to meet residents’ needs and restore houses, are warning people to be cautious of heatstroke during the day. At the request of these groups, Peace Winds delivered beverages such as sports drinks to the aid groups in Saga City and Kurume City.

Many of the affected areas of northern Kyushu are mountainous, making it difficult to transport aid kits over the narrow roads and steep slopes. To help with this, Peace Winds provided an electric transport vehicle to Nanayama, an area that was particularly damaged in the floods. A support group working in this area was very grateful as they are now able to deliver supplies to survivors more easily. “This is very helpful,” said a representative of the group, “because an electric vehicle like this can go up hills that ordinary vehicles can’t.”

There are areas in Kurume City that are still inaccessible due to landslides, and the need for basic supplies and cleanup support will continue as northern Kyushu works to rebuild. Peace Winds will remain in the area providing aid to survivors, and we will bring updates as we are able. We thank you for your continued support.

July 2023: Emergency Support Following Torrential Rains, Flooding, and Mudslides in Southwestern Japan

On July 10, 2023, emergency warnings were issued in Oita and Fukuoka Prefectures on Japan’s Kyushu Island where torrential rains are causing floods and mudslides. According to the Associated Press, two people have now died, six people are missing, and more than 1.7 million residents were urged to take shelter. The rainfall has continued at a rate of more than 1.3 inches per hour, increasing the risk of damage to homes, roads, and water supply lines. 

Peace Winds is currently working with evacuation shelters and health clinics in Fukuoka and neighboring Saga Prefecture. Three members of ARROWS, Peace Winds’ airborne search-and-rescue team, have been dispatched to the area to assess the damage and needs of survivors who have been forced to flee their homes.  

Unfortunately, these types of natural disasters are not new to western Japan. Peace Winds has responded in the wake of a number of typhoons and floods over the last several years, providing support ranging from search-and-rescue activities to medical support to distribution of emergency relief supplies.

In addition to short-term aid, Peace Winds staff members remain active in disaster-stricken areas to provide medium- and long-term support. For example, Peace Winds continues to support residents of Hiroshima who were displaced by heavy rains in 2018. Community centers host disaster-preparedness workshops and community-building activities for people living in temporary housing following natural disasters.

Peace Winds knows that the recovery process after severe flooding and mudslides is long, and survivors will need a lot of support to get back to their “normal” lives. We will remain in southwestern Japan providing aid for as long as it is needed and will bring updates as soon as we are able. We thank you for your continued support.