Relief and Recovery: Typhoon Hagibis in Japan

Project Report | May 29, 2020
Final Report on Typhoon Hagibis

By Kelli Maddock | Resource Development Officer

Supporting people in need after Typhoon Hagibis.

Final Report on Typhoon Hagibis

As International Medical Corps’ emergency response to Typhoon Hagibis, which struck Japan in October of 2019, has ended, this update will be our final one.

To continue supporting International Medical Corps and our GlobalGiving projects, please visit our “Emergency Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)” project, where International Medical Corps is providing a global response to the pandemic.

Learn more about our Coronavirus response here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/emergency-response-to-the-coronavirus-2019-ncov/

The Importance of Support

In October 2019, Typhoon Hagibis made landfall on the Pacific coast of Japan, affecting nearly 25 million people and resulting in more than 67,000 acres of flooded areas. Hagibis was one of the worst storms Japan had seen in decades, affecting Shizuoka prefecture on up to Iwate prefecture. Nagano, Kanagawa, the Tokyo metropolitan area, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaragi, Fukushima and Miyagi were among the hardest hit.

To bring relief and recovery to the most vulnerable, International Medical Corps partnered with the Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan) to work in Fukushima. We served people with disabilities through existing welfare centers, providing transportation, filling gaps in supplies, and helping individuals stay healthy in their homes. Our collaboration with three welfare centers in typhoon-impacted areas, supported some of the most vulnerable as they fulfilled day-to-day activities.

Izumi, a 49-year-old man who visits one of the welfare centers, recalls the damage Hagibis brought to his home, destroying nearly all of his belongings, including his clothing. He used his savings to repair his home, while our teams met his need for clothing. Izumi continues to visit one of the welfare centers in Fukushima, with staff reporting he is always coming up with ways to keep his life cheerful.

Izumi is one the many vulnerable people made even more so by the devastation left by Typhoon Hagibis, yet able to recover thanks to International Medical Corps and AAR Japan.

We thank the GlobalGiving community of donors for bringing awareness and support to International Medical Corps’ relief and recovery efforts around the world.

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Jan 30, 2020
The Importance of Transportation in Recovery

By Kelli Maddock | Resource Development Officer

Transportation support provided by Intl Med Corps

On October 12, 2019, Typhoon Hagibis struck the Pacific coast of Japan. Up to 25 million people were affected by the storm and more than 4,000 people were initially evacuated to over 120 shelters. Overall, the deadly storm damaged infrastructure, caused power outages and disrupted water services in 12 prefectures across Japan, and also left 27,400 hectares of flooded areas. In response to the storm, International Medical Corps partnered with the Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan) to help communities recover and rebuild.

Together, our teams are helping children with disabilities access facilities to learn social skills through play after school and during special events, such as seasonal activities and weekend field trips. We are supporting intergenerational programming to give their caregivers extra time to provide for their families. Intergenerational programs provide a space for different generations to come together, share experiences, accomplish mutually beneficial goals and foster relationships. AAR Japan uses intergenerational programming to give the children an opportunity for hands-on experience and celebrate the traditional ceremonies, which are hosted by the elders.

Following the impact of Typhoon Hagibis, the vehicles used to facilitate these critical services were damaged beyond use. Yuga, a fourth grader explained his experience to us, “I was scared and worried during the typhoon because there was lots of rain and strong winds.” The staff at the facility told International Medical Corps that they noticed many of the children were more cautious and anxious after the typhoon — some were too frightened to even go outside of their homes.

With the help of a generous donors like you, International Medical Corps is supporting transportation for the children to continue to receive essential services, despite the damage from Typhoon Hagibis.

With transportation supported by International Medical Corps, Yuga’s daily routine can begin to return to normal — “I am looking forward to new events,” he says!

Together with our partners, International Medical Corps is helping children with disabilities access intergenerational care and cultural lessons. We thank the GlobalGiving community for helping our team provide care after disasters like Typhoon Hagibis.

New transportation helps students learn.

The new car funded by International Medical Corps.

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