AAR
Japan team forms three teams to provide aid: soup kitchen, aid delivery, and
need assessment
In response to the earthquakes that
rocked Kumamoto prefecture on April 14, Association for Aid and Relief Japan
(AAR Japan) dispatched the emergency response team consisting of four staff
members including a board member, Ben Kato; Kazuya Omuro; Shinichiro Ohara; and
Masayuki Okada. Masaru Miki joined the team on April 17, followed by Go
Igarashi and Yuta Funakoshi on April 18.
On April 18, the emergency response
team formed three teams to provide aid. The team responsible for soup kitchen collaborated
with The Peace Project, an NPO, and served curry to 150 people for lunch and
curry and gyūdon
(beef bowl) to 800 people for dinner at the Iino Primary School in the town of
Mashiki, Kumamoto prefecture. Due to capacity constraints of evacuation
centers, some survivors found shelter in areas close by, such as community
centers. With the help of volunteers, hot meals were served not only to
survivors residing in evacuation centers, but also to those residing in areas
within proximity of evacuation centers.
After receiving notice that aid has
not yet reached Aso and South Aso, Kato’s team visited Aso’s Elderly Nursing
Care, Health and Rehabilitation Center – Hibari, areas isolated due to poor transportation
conditions. Kato’s team heard that water and electricity supply have been
stopped and that water and food are scarce in these areas. Kato’s team served
bread to 50 people residing in these facilities. Water and bread were served to
100 people at the Tateno Primary School in the town of South Aso.
The team led by Igarashi has been
responsible for the procurement of emergency goods, primarily sanitary
products, in Fukuoka city and sharing information on the status of aid and news
regarding affected areas with other organizations. Obtaining information on the
status of aid provided to areas and conducting need assessment are an integral
part of aid activities. In addition to evacuation centers, Igarashi’s team
visits facilities for people with disabilities (PWDs) to assess local needs.
 |
| Delivery of water and bread to the nursing home for the aged in the isolated town of Aso( Ben Kato (right) April 18th, 2016) |
 |
| Long line for hot meals at the Ino Primary School (Masaru Miki (left,) April18th,2016) |
 |
| Delivery of water and bread to 100 people at the Tateno Primary School in the isolated town of South Aso (Shinichiro Ohara (Second person from the right,) April 18th, 2016) |
Although much emergency goods have
been sent to affected areas from across Japan, aid is still in need. As needs
change over time, AAR will continue to deliver timely and appropriate aid to
affected areas. AAR will also continue to assess ways to deliver aid to persons
that are least likely to receive aid, such as the elderly and PWDs.
Please donate and help us continue
to the support the people of Kumamoto.
Please donate
Click here for online donation through Paypal (credit card payment available)Donating at the Japan Post Office
Account Number: 00100-9-600
Account Name: Nanmin wo Tasukerukai (難民を助ける会)
Please write down “Kumamoto” and specify if you need a receipt.
For the latest updates, also see our Twitter
account.
Account: @aarjapan http://twitter.com/aarjapan
Please contact Natori (Ms.) and Yamada (Ms.)
for further inquiry.
TEL: +81-3-5423-4511
