More than a week has passed since the flood
and landslide hit western Japan.
The midsummer heat has continued since the heavy rain stopped, and on July 14,
it recorded a maximum temperature of 36 degrees Celsius. There are still about
2,890 people living in evacuation centers in Okayama prefecture, where 16,430
houses are without running of water, roads and railways still not fully restored
(according to the announcement of Okayama prefecture on 15th July). The hard
days continue for those affected.
Browned city, smell of sludge
The landscape of lush greenery on the way
from Kurashiki station to Mabi-cho district changes
drastically after crossing the bridge over the tributary of Takahashi River.
Roads, grass fields, signs, and walls of houses. Everything is browned with mud, such as. The
traffic lights are not completely recovered, and in some places, the police
officers were handling the traffic with hand signals. Muddy rubble, brought out
of the houses, was piled neatly on both sides of the road. When we opened the car
window, there was smell of sludge. According to the neighbors, the smell seems
getting worse day by day as the heat gets tenser.
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| Muddy rubble, brought out of the houses, was piled neatly on both sides of the road (14th July, 2018) |
More comfort for the evacuees
Living conditions of evacuation centers are gradually improving. To prevent people from disuse syndrome, physical therapists of the Japan Disaster Rehabilitation Assistance Team (JRAT) started exercises regularly at Niman Elementary School Evacuation Center in Kurashiki-City. Air conditioners were installed not only in the gymnastic hall, but also in the classrooms used for evacuees who are in need of nursing care. As for the laundry, people had been forced to wash by hands, but now it became much easier as three washing machines were brought in.
Living conditions of evacuation centers are gradually improving. To prevent people from disuse syndrome, physical therapists of the Japan Disaster Rehabilitation Assistance Team (JRAT) started exercises regularly at Niman Elementary School Evacuation Center in Kurashiki-City. Air conditioners were installed not only in the gymnastic hall, but also in the classrooms used for evacuees who are in need of nursing care. As for the laundry, people had been forced to wash by hands, but now it became much easier as three washing machines were brought in.
However, there are
many people, who go out during daytime to chek on their houses, and come back
utterly discouraged after seeing only a heap of debris. Many volunteers, gathering
from all over Japan during the consecutive holidays, will be of much help for the
elderly who fell already exhausted to clean their houses.
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| There are still about 2,890 people living in evacuation centers in Okayama prefecture |
Soup kitchen appreciated
at shelter
AAR continues to
deliver soup kitchens in collaboration with the Peace Project, an NPO, at Niman
Elementary school Evacuation Center.
On 14th
July, we offered cold hiyamugi noodles for 250 people for lunch, and ramen noodles
for 230 people for dinner.
A man in his 50s
told us how he survived the flood. "I
was in my house, near the river. When
the flood hit, I ran up to the second floor, but water came up to my ankle. There was no rescue on that night, and I kept
waiting for two full days and nights". He and his wife have been taking
out the debris out of their house everyday, but removing even a single sheet of
muddied tatami mat is a hard work. "I
ate curry the other day. I really appreciate the hot meal at the shelter after
coming back from the hard labor."
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| AAR is delivering soup kitchens in collaboration with the Peace Project, an NPO, changing the menu everyday. On 14th July, we offered cold hiyamugi noodles for 250 people for lunch, and ramen noodles for 230 people for dinner. (on the left is Shinichiro Ohara of AAR) |
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| Distributing supplies while hearing the needs at shelters.(Haruko Tanaka in center) |
Various relief
supplies have arrived in the afflicted areas, but there are still things that
are in urgent need. AAR will continue to deliver soup kitchens and distribute items
that are wanted in shelters and welfare centers, while listening to the voices
of evacuees.
Please donate and
help us support the people of western Japan.
http://www.aarjapan.gr.jp/english/support/
