The Kumamoto Earthquake Report 2:
People centric attitude,
leading to One Team response

April 24th 2016

For hundreds of thousands of those affected by Kumamoto earthquake, the necessary next step is to have their houses assessed against the damages caused by the earthquake. Depending on the extent of the damage, affected families will receive ‘disaster certificate’ (in Japanese, called Risai-shoumei) which will then link with the assistance they will be eligible from the government. This process would require certified assessors to go around house by house, and given the wide spread destruction, it would take weeks, or even a month, to complete.

This would mean the evacuees don’t have much option but to endure living in evacuation centers until their houses have been assessed, and above certificate is achieved. They will then consider rebuilding or repairing of their houses, and what sort of financial loan mechanism they can be eligible for. With current delay in the process and uncertainty to whether they can really rebuild their houses and their lives back again, it is clear that people are under constant stress and pressure. When I went around the evacuation center in Mashiki-town, managed by YMCA for over 1,200 affected community members, I saw many people stare into the air, looking lost as to what they should do. It is of course understandable that hope is difficult to have in such hardship.

Minoura and Seike both came from Osaka YMCA (see pictures on the right), to assist the operation in Kumamoto. Minoura brings years of volunteer management / youth leader experience, and Seike is trained care worker. Coming all the way from Osaka, they’ve been integrated into Kumamoto YMCA earthquake response, along with others. How would such help-team be integrated instantly into the large emergency team on the ground? The tip seems to be in their attitude and approach.

When I see them speak to evacuees, they always kneel down. It comes from their sense of respect that they are not looking down on anyone, and everyone is treated with the same respect. As a result, even when the evacuees are lost and staring into the air, this attitude brings people into conversation and dialogue, to share what their concerns really are. For elderly, it is particularly important, as their mobility is limited and often it leads to being alone and not talking to anyone about what they are worried about; they tend to say ‘I am fine’, trying not to put additional load on those who care for them.

Professionally speaking, I saw these conversation and dialogue are linking directly into vulnerability assessment. Through such conversation, staff obtain information on who is at risk, who requires special care, ensuing no one is left behind. They will then make a list of those who needs special assistance, and link with professional service providers right after the conversation they had with evacuees.

“I feel that I am so much cared here”, said a gentleman (in the photograph on the right).

To me, it sounded that these words mean more than just the words. There is sense of appreciation, security, protection, and something to rely on while looking at uncertain future. Attitude is just an attitude, but when it comes from value, principle, and vision of the organization, it seems to create the team culture that puts people-first. This culture then leads to such conversation-based assessments, which will then link to instant solutions.

You can help the operation on the ground. Please see below:
Emergency appeal of YMCA Japan
Facebook page of Kumamoto YMCA (Japanese only)

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

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.

Interviewer and Photos taken by: Takeshi Komino

Houses are collapsed or seriously damaged

Mr. Minoura listens to an elderly man

Mr. Seike talks to an elderly man with the same eye level