Heat Wave Hits Japan as Flood Survivors Continue Living in Evacuation Centers

Ten days after devastating floods and landslides in Western Japan, thousands remain in evacuation centers. While search and rescue continues in many areas, the death toll remains at 200, with dozens still unaccounted for.  Approximately 70 percent of those who perished were over age 60.  

Around 5,200 people are still living in shelters across 16 prefectures.  Peace Winds continues supporting several evacuation shelters in Hiroshima and Okayama, delivering supplies to evacuees as they begin to learn the state of their homes.

While the government and NGOs focus on transitioning to clean up and recovery, a severe heat wave is hitting many prefectures, reaching temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This creates major concerns for those in evacuation shelters, who are living in close quarters in community centers and gyms.  These buildings typically do not have cooling systems meant for so many people.  These rooms and gyms become very humid during the intense heat, leaving shelter staff struggling to find solutions to keep the air fresh and circulated.  With water systems still down, distributing water to everyone was already a challenging task, but this issue becomes more critical during a heat wave.  Many shelters have become distribution centers for the surrounding community, whose water systems also remain shut off.   Now everyone in the area, including outside residents and staff, are at higher risk for heat stroke, with the elderly being the most susceptible to these conditions.

Peace Winds is shifting focus from short-term relief to long-term recovery for survivors, concentrating efforts on the elderly.  The summer heat is expected to continue, making the transition to recovery even more difficult for those who must remain in shelters.

Peace Winds needs funds to purchase AC units, generators, and fans to ensure evacuees remain cool and provide enough bottled water for shelters whose water systems are down. 

READ MORE about Peace Winds’ response in Japan.

DONATE HERE to support victims of the Western Japan Floods.