Help Victims of Japan Floods and Typhoon Jebi

Ten days after devastating floods and landslides in Western Japan, thousands remain in evacuation centers. The death toll remains over 200, with dozens still unaccounted for. Approximately 70 percent of those who perished were over age 60.

Around 5,000 people are still living in shelters across 16 prefectures. Peace Winds continues supporting several evacuation shelters in Hiroshima and Okayama, delivering supplies to evacuees as they begin to learn the state of their homes.

While the government and NGOs focus on transitioning to clean up and recovery, a severe heat wave has struck many prefectures, reaching temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This creates major concerns for those in evacuation shelters, who are living in close quarters in community centers and gyms. These rooms and gyms are very humid during the intense heat, leaving shelter staff struggling to keep the air fresh and circulated. With water systems still down, distributing water to everyone becomes even more critical. Many shelters are serving as distribution centers for the surrounding community (see photo below).  Everyone, including outside residents and staff, are at higher risk for heat stroke, with the elderly being the most susceptible to these conditions.

Peace Winds is beginning to shift focus from short-term relief to long-term recovery for survivors, concentrating efforts on the elderly. The summer heat is expected to continue, making the transition to recovery even more difficult.

Peace Winds needs funds to purchase AC units, generators, and fans to ensure evacuees remain cool and to provide enough bottled water for shelters whose water systems are down.