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The Kumamoto Earthquake Situation Report:
A Call for Global Solidarity

The National Council of YMCAs of Japan and the Church World Service Japan are working together as partner for relief activities in Kumamoto Earthquake. Here is English Report by Mr. Takeshi Komino of CWSJ about Japan YMCA’s relief works.

April 22nd 2016

The earthquakes in Kumamoto during April 14th to 16th has devastated many lives, and the number of evacuees now exceed 200,000. The death toll has increased to 59, and over 1,000 are reported to be injured. More than 10,000 houses have been collapsed or badly damaged. Recent heavy rain has led to issuing of evacuation warning for over 100,000 affected communities. There have been over 800 aftershocks which really affect the psychosocial well-being of the affected communities.

Kumamoto YMCA’s facilities have been badly damaged, and a gymnasium in Mashiki-town which Kumamoto YMCA operates (with contract from the authority) has been designated as official evacuation center. YMCA staff have been working day and night to establish the evacuation center for over 1,200 evacuees, and the fatigue within the team is growing, a big concern for all YMCA staff and supporters.

As photo on the right (form Hiroshima YMCA), YMCA from all over Japan are extending their support. It is this gesture of spirit, mind, and body that keeps the staff going, but the situation is a challenging one, to say the least.

First of all, all Kumamoto YMCA’s activities have been stopped, and all staff, despite the fact that they and their family members are badly affected by the earthquakes, are working tirelessly day and night for the evacuees. The buildings of Kumamoto YMCA, including office, kindergartens, schools, gyms, swimming pools have been badly damaged. All energy, attention, and staff concern are going towards assisting the affected communities, but if these facilities that were enabling factors to be closely knitted with surrounding community members are not repaired, the prospect of YMCA’s operation in Kumamoto in the future is becoming challenging day by day.

The team on the ground leads relief item and meal provisions, protection of women and children, and liaison with authorities, self-defense force, health teams, and volunteers from other YMCAs are arriving to assist. There are recreation activities for the elderly, children, and coordination capacity that YMCA staff have gained through the youth activities is fully utilized for this relief coordination. The garbage from the evacuation center is periodically cleared. However, the conditions on the ground change day by day, and new challenges emerge every hour.

The team is committed and will ensure that the evacuees are protected and served until the time that they can move on for their recovery, but we would like to call for global solidarity from all friends and colleagues to enable this. When we foresee all the challenges in this relief process and the recovery of communities and YMCA operations, it is inevitable for us to call for assistance from all friends and colleagues around the world.

We will further keep you all posted on the updates from the ground.

Bank Detail Name : The National Council of YMCAs of Japan
Address : 7 Honshio-cho Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo
Beneficiary Bank : THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ,LTD.
Branch Name : YOTSUYA BRANCH
Bank Address : 3-2-1 YOTSUYA SHINJUKU-KU TOKYO
Swift code : BOTKJPJT
Account Number : 051-0111494

Collapsed House

Damaged facility of Kumamoto YMCA

Many YMCA volunteers have collected donations (Hiroshima YMCA)

Young evacuees’ volunteers at evacuation center



Contact
Name The National Council of YMCAs of JAPAN
TEL (+81-3)-5367-6640
FAX (+81-3)-5367-6641
E-mail info@ymcajapan.org