AAR
Japan continues to deliver much-needed sanitary products
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, which consisted of 6
members as of April 20: Ben Kato (a board member), Go Igarashi, Kazuya Omuro, Shinichiro Ohara, Masaru Miki, and Yuta Funakoshi. The emergency response
team is delivering aid, operating soup kitchens, and conducting needs assessment.
On April 20, the team delivered much-needed
relief aid, consisting primarily of sanitary products, to the West Aso Primary
School evacuation center in Aso City. Specifically, the team delivered
approximately 720 feminine hygiene and sanitary products, 480 pairs of cotton
work gloves, approximately 120 adult diapers, approximately 330 baby and infant
diapers, 1,000 plastic bags (used to take away food items distributed at soup
kitchens), 360 cup noodles, 50 toothbrush kits (each kit is comprised of a
toothbrush and a bottle of toothpaste), 36 rolls of toilet paper, 14 cans of baby
formula, and 2 packages of disinfectant wipes. AAR Japan has been procuring
sanitary products from Fukuoka City and Kurume City of Fukuoka Prefecture because
these products are scarce in Kumamoto Prefecture.
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| Much-needed sanitary products were delivered to the West Aso Primary School evacuation center. (Go Igarashi (left), April 20th, 2016) |
Soup
kitchens in the town of Mashiki and Aso city
On April 20, the team collaborated
with The Peace Project, an NPO, to operate soup kitchens at 2 locations, the
Aso City Primary School and the Ino Primary School. AAR Japan learned that the
Aso City Primary School evacuation center was in need of food and the emergency
response team served sautéed vegetables to 300 people there. Once again, local
survivors actively participated in helping with the soup kitchen. “Warm foods have
been unavailable since the quake,” said survivors, expressing delight of the food
distributed by AAR Japan’s soup kitchen.
At the Ino Primary School in the town
of Mashiki, the team served yakisoba rolls (bread sandwiching stir-fried
noodles with meats and vegetables) to 210 people for lunch and tomato-based meat
stew to 800 people for dinner. “Tasty,” commented people at the evacuation
center who taste tested the soup kitchen foods. “Despite the continuing effects
of the quake and aftershocks, we will try to stay positive,” said municipal
government employees who provided assistance with food preparation for the soup
kitchens. Middle school student evacuees also approached the emergency response
team, saying “Is there anything we can help with?”
Aftershocks and heavy rainfall
continue to worsen conditions in the affected areas. AAR remains committed to
supporting those affected by the Kumamoto earthquakes.
Please donate and help us continue to the support the people of Kumamoto.
Please donate and help us continue to the support the people of Kumamoto.
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| “Tasty,” said survivors residing at the Ino Primary School who ate the tomato-based meat stew. (Masaru Miki (right), April 20th, 2016) |
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| Ben Kato (a board member) preparing sautéed vegetables at the Aso Primary School. (April 20th, 2016) |
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
FAX: +81-3-5423-4450
