Kumamoto Japan Earthquake
Peace Winds assisted over 1,500 families living in temporary housing complexes. The stress of temporary housing–including small accommodations, limited privacy, reduced access to resources, and the uncertainty of moving out–is overwhelming. Vulnerable populations like the elderly are at even greater risk for health issues.
An example of the permanent housing constructed by the Central and Provincial Japanese Governments.
Peace Winds worked with communities in hosting weekly community events and social activities to “build community” and to prevent isolation, as well as provided mental health counseling. Peace Winds supported local township leaders in each of the 24 temporary housing communities through training and administrative costs to meet the needs of the residents.
In April 2016, two devastating earthquakes shook Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture. Peace Winds responded immediately to assist survivors, dispatching a search-and-rescue team, setting up temporary shelters and tents, and delivering relief supplies, including food, water, medicine, and hygiene kits.
The 22 blogs below highlight Peace Winds response from April 2016 search-and-rescue to 2018 training of community township leaders, from construction of tents to temporary housing, from dispatching household appliances to rescuing pets and building animal shelters.
Peace Winds’ CEO, Dr. Charles Aanenson, poses with Keiko Kozako, Chiyomi Nagata, and Lisa Hinotsume, that lead the animal shelters and pet adoption, respectfully.
Through the remainder of programming, Peace Winds was committed to the 1,500 families of the Mashiki-Kumamoto temporary housing complex. Peace Winds continues to collaborate with the 24 township leaders, the social and mental health counselors, the activity managers, the pet shelters, and the elderly–providing care to ensure long-term recovery. A special thanks to the individual and business donors that contributed to the success of our programming. We would like to specifically recognize the Kumamoto Kenjin Kai of Seattle for their invaluable support to these communities.
