Emergency Response to the Kumamoto Earthquake

AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) has opened relief supply distribution points in Hikawa Town and Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture—areas that suffered severe damage in the Kumamoto Earthquake—where foreign residents affected by the disaster can receive relief supplies and information. Drinking water, food, hygiene items, and other supplies are being distributed free of charge, and are also provided to neighboring residents in need.

Aid and Information Still Slow to Reach Foreign Residents

People from various countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Nepal, live in the disaster-affected areas, many of whom work under technical intern training or specified skilled worker visas. Amid ongoing hardships such as water outages, aid and information remain slow to reach foreign residents. Since the earthquake struck, AAR has been receiving reports such as "Foreign residents are pooling their own money to buy supplies" and "There are international students who say they are too frightened to sleep."

While AAR was searching for a base for its distribution activities, a helping hand came from BAR.BASE, a bar in Miyahara, Hikawa Town. It is located along the town's main street and has parking space and room to store supplies. As the bar opens only after 9:00 p.m., the owner generously offered, "Please feel free to use the space during the daytime until the water supply is restored."

The Vietnamese restaurant San Pham Viet Yatsushiro, in Yatsushiro City, has also agreed to cooperate. Although the restaurant is temporarily closed due to the water outage, its adjoining Vietnamese grocery store remains open. During business hours, the store and an adjacent warehouse are being made available as spaces for distributing and storing supplies.

In Easy Japanese

At both distribution points, AAR has been distributing supplies since August 8, including drinking water, sports drink powder, emergency food such as instant rice (alpha rice) and halal food, body wipes, and portable toilets. AAR staff are stationed at the Hikawa Town site and also respond to consultations about survivors’ concerns.

In consideration of those who have difficulty reading and writing Japanese, AAR created signs and flyers written in HIRAGANA, with phrases such as "mono wo kubaru tokoro" (a place where goods are handed out) and "okane wa irimasen" (no payment needed). The local Junior Chamber and the Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents are also helping to spread information about the distribution points.

In the affected areas, requests for relief supplies and consultations about rebuilding daily life continue to come in every day. Listening to voices such as "I don't know how to apply for a disaster victim certificate," AAR will continue its activities to ensure that aid reaches all those affected by the disaster, including foreign residents. We sincerely ask for your support for AAR's Kumamoto Earthquake emergency responce.

Links:

• AAR English website

AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) continues to provide meal distribution in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, an area affected by the Kumamoto earthquake, together with the NPO Peace Project. Delicious and nutritious meals have been well received by evacuees enduring life in shelters amid the intense summer heat.

Flavors Suited to Kumamoto Tastes

The meal support team arrived on-site on July 29, the day after the earthquake, and has been preparing meals at evacuation centers in Yatsushiro City since July 30. As of August 5, the team had provided a total of 1,240 lunches and dinners. Around the Citizens' Community Center, the team's base of operations, collapsed houses blocked roads and roughly 180 people had taken shelter there initially. Evacuees expressed gratitude for the "gomoku gohan" (Japanese mixed rice) served as the first dinner, with some saying they were relieved to finally eat something after having had nothing since morning.

 The menu includes cold Somen noodles which are easy to eat even in the intense heat, and beef bowls made with generous portions of beef. Seasoning is adjusted to match the "sweet-salty and rich" flavors preferred in Kumamoto and local residents have tasted the food to help adjust the seasoning.

 Meals are one of the greatest pleasures during life in the shelters. When the team served "Unadon" (grilled eel over rice) to bring a sense of the season, long lines formed, and evacuees expressed delight that eel could be enjoyed even in a shelter. On a day we served curry rice, an elderly evacuee who normally eats little finished the entire meal and even asked for seconds.

Connections from Past Support Efforts Bring Strength

People connected through past relief efforts, including the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and the 2020 Kyushu floods, have also offered support and cooperation. Donated tomatoes and watermelons have been especially welcomed, as fresh vegetables and fruit are often hard to come by during shelter life. On August 5, a small live guitar performance was held and even evacuees who had been lying down got up to clap along and sing.

As water service has gradually been restored to the area, the number of evacuees at the Citizens' Community Center has decreased. However, daily life remains difficult for those affected—tap water still cannot be used for drinking and is limited to laundry and bathing. AAR will continue to stand alongside those affected by providing meals and other support at evacuation shelters. We kindly ask for your continued support for the Kumamoto earthquake emergency response.

Links:

• AAR English website