Support for elderly community members following the Ishikawa Earthquake in Japan
On May 5, 2023, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture, located less than 200 miles west of Tokyo. Shortly after the earthquake, members of ARROWS, Peace Winds’ airborne search-and-rescue team, arrived in Suzu City to provide relief.
Suzu City is home to one of the most rapidly aging populations in the prefecture, meaning that many elderly people were at home alone when the earthquake struck. Rescue workers were concerned that many older residents would not be able to get help or reach evacuation centers. ARROWS doctors and nurses worked together with Suzu City’s Health and Welfare Division to identify the most at-risk citizens, and then they went door-to-door to make sure each of them was safe and to ask what they needed. Residents who had been injured received medical attention and could discuss their concerns with health professionals.
Since the earthquake, staff and volunteers have been able to revisit each person receiving support, to ensure residents’ needs continue to be met. Dr. Inaba of ARROWS says that follow-up visits with survivors is extremely important after a natural disaster.
“Elderly people who live alone are often left behind during natural disasters,” he says. “In the worst case, this can lead to ‘lonely deaths’ in the confusion that follows. It’s good that we were able to visit these people door to door right after the earthquake, and I’m glad that the city’s public health nurses helped our teams as well.”
According to the Japan Times, the earthquake in Ishikawa killed one person and left 22 injured. Peace Winds will continue to support the people of Suzu City however we can, and we thank you for your continued support which allows our teams to respond in times of disaster. This relief program was made possible with support from the Japan Platform and from donors like you. Click here to make a donation in support of relief efforts like these.
