Emergency Response to the Kumamoto Earthquake

In the wake of the Kumamoto earthquake that struck on July 28, approximately 90,000 households remain without running water, and more than 10,000 people are living in evacuation shelters amid severe summer heat. AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) initiated emergency meal distributions on July 30.

AAR’s partner organization, the NGO Peace Project (led by Ben Kato, Board Director of AAR Japan), deployed to the affected area on July 29 and immediately began preparations for emergency meal distribution. On the evening of July 30, the team served seasoned mixed rice (gomoku gohan) to around 180 evacuees at the Yachiwa Community Center, a designated shelter in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

Evacuees who received the cooked meals greeted AAR staff with bright smiles, sharing expressions of relief: “It was delicious!” and “I hadn’t eaten anything since this morning. I’m truly grateful.” The shelter accommodates people whose homes were destroyed, as well as those unable to return home due to fear of aftershocks. The warm meal provided a rare moment of comfort and peace of mind during a chaotic time.

One evacuee remarked, “This is my first proper meal since the earthquake. It’s wonderful!” Later, as the meal service was concluding, another evacuee asked AAR staff, “Hardly any food has reached the nearby shelters since the disaster. Would it be possible to share some with them as well?” The request highlighted the reality that relief supplies have not yet reached all those in need.

Moving forward, AAR Japan plans to expand its cooked meal services not only to those in designated shelters, but also to people sheltering at home, as well as welfare facilities where cooking equipment remains unusable due to structural damage and water outages. We will continue providing nutritious meals that are easy to eat during the intense summer heat.

We humbly ask for your continued support for AAR’s Kumamoto Earthquake Emergency response.

 Distribution of Emergency Relief Supplies Begins: Kumamoto Earthquake Response

Following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on July 28, affected communities in Kumamoto Prefecture continue to endure water and power outages during a period of severe summer heat. In response, AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) deployed an emergency relief team to initiate immediate assistance.

Two staff members from our Tokyo headquarters arrived in the affected area on July 29. We are currently evaluating damage and assessing urgent needs at local shelters and welfare facilities, while actively distributing relief supplies. At "Yatsushiro Gakuen," a support facility for people with disabilities in Yatsushiro City that suffered significant damage, AAR delivered essential items including 120 bottles of 500 ml drinking water, water storage tanks, body wipes, and salt candies for heatstroke prevention. 

Yatsushiro Gakuen provides residential care (capacity: 40) and day support services (capacity: 60), supported by approximately 50 staff members. Although electricity is on and air conditioners are working, part of the building was damaged, rendering the women’s residential wing uninhabitable.

While many residents face mobility challenges requiring wheelchairs or handrails, all 17 male and 24 female residents are currently living together on a single floor of the men's wing. Although the facility is designated as a specialized welfare shelter, it cannot accept general evacuees due to the damage to its own facilities.

A facility staff member shared their concerns: "Because of the water outage, we are relying on portable toilets. While partner organizations have provided drinking water, water is also essential for preparing meals for our residents, so a prolonged outage is a major concern." Upon receiving the relief supplies, they expressed their gratitude by saying, "Thank you so much for delivering support to us so quickly."

Additionally, AAR’s emergency team and our partner NGO, Peace Project—led by AAR Japan Board Director Ben Kato—are preparing to begin hot meal distributions on July 30.

With ongoing water outages and extreme summer temperatures, evacuees face increasingly difficult conditions. As we continue providing hot meals and essential supplies, AAR Japan is dedicated to supporting those who face the greatest hardships, particularly people with disabilities and the elderly.

We are deeply grateful for the warm support we have received so far, and we humbly ask for your continued contributions to AAR’s Kumamoto Earthquake emergency response.