In Oct 2019, Typhoon Hagibis, the most powerful tropical storm to hit Japan in six decades brought a record-breaking rainfall, and flooded more than 25,000 hectares of Japan's mainland. Japan International Support Program (JISP) based in the Northern capital of Sendai, aims to provide emergency assistance to the severely affected rural communities of Tohoku (Northeast of Japan), the area which had been severely affected by the 2011 Japan Earthquakes and Tsunamis.
Due to the graveness and vastness of the damages caused by Typhoon Hagibis in a number of communities in 10 prefectures, the whole picture of the damages is yet to be identified, and many survivors are still being left out of essential assistance. In addition to providing timely material assistance, it is essential that the affected people and care providers are provided with sufficient support to maintain their physical and psychological health during the course of a long recovery effort.
Initially, the donation will be used to respond to survivor's immediate need such as water, hygiene products, food, cleaning kits, basic appliances and furniture. JISP will also mobilise a response team of disaster risk reduction expert, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and disaster nurse, to closely monitor the needs of each community. We'll design and implement tailor-made activities to promote their physical and psychological health and to help bring the affected community together.
In conducting psychosocial activities, JISP will ensure that sustainability will be maintained by transferring useful knowledge and techniques to local resources. In addition, JISP has network with the civil society of Sendai, the northern capital, and is able to mobilize local volunteers. The local volunteers who will gain experiences from this project will be invaluable resources in responding to future disasters.
