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16
Aug 2021

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Recovering from flooding: Support materials from Japanese civil society

Heavy rains hit Western Japan Torrential rain has triggered floods and landslides in many parts of Japan since 11 August, 2021. Record-breaking rainfall has been causing severe damages to communities in the northern Kyushu and Chugoku regions. According to the meteorological agency, more rains are forecasted to continue in prefectures in western and northern Japan. Not only in Japan, we have also been shocked to hear the news of devastating floods happening in different parts of the world recently too. Climate change has amplified the scale and frequency of such deadly disasters, but we believe that we can work together to minimize the damage. Knowledge Sharing Efforts by Japanese NGOs […]

04
Aug 2021

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Photo courtesy of Peace Boat

One year since the oil spill disaster in Mauritius: Interview with EPCO – Part Two

M/V Wakashio, a bulk vessel owned and operated by a Japanese company went aground on the south-eastern coast of Mauritius in late July 2020. Ten days later, the ship started spilling oil causing environmental pollution to the sea and coastal areas. At the beginning of August, the Mauritian government declared a state of environmental emergency and called for support from the international community. Immediately after the news, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started contacting the Mauritius-based NGOs responding to the emergency, and launched an emergency fund to support their activities. More than 8,500 individuals and organizations in Japan responded to the PBV’s call for donations. We truly appreciate the heartfelt […]

30
Jul 2021

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One year since the oil spill disaster in Mauritius: Interview with EPCO – Part One

In July 2020, M/V Wakashio, a bulk vessel owned and operated by a Japanese company went aground on the south-eastern coast of Mauritius. Ten days later, the ship started spilling oil causing environmental pollution to the sea and coastal areas. The Mauritian government declared a state of environmental emergency and called for support from the international community. Immediately after hearing the news, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started contacting the Mauritius-based NGOs responding to the emergency and launched an emergency fund to support their activities. One of the NGOs which PBV contacted and has been supporting is the Environmental Protection and Conservation Organization (EPCO). In early July, we had an […]

10
Jul 2021

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Heavy rains, floods and landslides across Japan

Growing concerns about frequent torrential rains and floods in Japan Last weekend on July 3rd, we were shocked by the news of deadly landslides caused by torrential rain in the city of Atami, in the Shizuoka Prefecture. The massive landslide washed away more than 130 houses and took the lives of nine people. More than 20 people are reported to be missing, and the search effort by rescue teams and the Self Defense Force continues as of July 8th. The highest level of warning for possible adverse weather conditions is still in effect in the area, and more than 560 people remain in evacuation shelters. The rain has not only […]

21
Jun 2021

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Update on Mauritius Oil Spill Emergency Relief: a video message from EPCO

Support to the affected communities continue Following the oil spill disaster caused by grounded MV Wakashio off Mauritius in August 2020, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) launched an emergency relief fund to support local NGOs working for environmental recovery and assistance to the communities affected by the disaster. More than 8,500 individuals and organizations in Japan responded to the call for donation and made contribution to the fund. One of the organizations PBV has supported is a Mauritius-based NGO, Environmental Protection and Conservation Organization (EPCO) has implemented a year-long project to support communities in 17 villages along the south-eastern coast of the Mauritius island. The project aims to offer the […]

19
Mar 2021

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Emergency Relief for 2021 Fukushima Prefecture Offshore Earthquake

Following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck offshore east of the Tohoku region on February 13, 2021, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) dispatched an emergency assistance team to the affected areas. The earthquake caused damage to more than 20,000 houses (as of Feb. 22, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency), mainly in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. The accurate total number of houses damaged is still unknown and many people in the area are still living in damaged houses. In response to a request from the Yamamoto-cho Social Welfare Council (Miyagi Prefecture), PBV started relief activities by experienced staff on March 8 to put up tarpaulins on damaged roofs. […]

12
Mar 2021

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Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

March 11, 2021 marks ten years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) and Peace Boat offer our prayers to those who lost their lives in the disaster. We would also like to express our sympathy to the bereaved families and to all those who are still in challenging situations. Ten years ago, immediately after the earthquake, Peace Boat entered Ishinomaki and Onagawa in Miyagi Prefecture and worked with many volunteers from Japan and abroad for the coming months and years. Although we went to the affected areas to help, we were greatly encouraged and heartened by the local people who accepted us. Videographer […]

25
Feb 2021

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PBV’s Crowdfunding Campaign Launched

This year marks 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) celebrates its 10th anniversary. While sending our sincere gratitude to all supporters and volunteers who have offered a helping hand to those in need in disaster-struck areas in Japan and around the globe during the ten years, we are taking on a new challenge to take another step forward – a crowdfunding campaign targeted to raise five million yen by the end of March 2021. During the past 10 years, PBV has served disaster-affected areas in 54 communities across Japan with help of more than 100,000 volunteers, including international volunteers. The ongoing […]

19
Jan 2021

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Update: Relief efforts in Kumamoto continue

Evacuation Center Support for Kuma-mura residents The torrential rains and severe floods hit Kumamoto Prefecture in July 2020. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) started logistics support to the relief organizations based in Kumamoto and neighboring prefectures immediately after the disaster. In response to the request from the prefectural government of Kumamoto and local government of Kuma-mura, YMCA Kumamoto and PBV provided operational support at the evacuation shelter for the residents affected by the disaster. PBV team and YMCA Kumamoto had been supporting the residents at the Former Taragi High School evacuation center from mid-August to the end of October when the center was closed. It was the first time for […]

23
Dec 2020

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2020 PBV Project Briefing Session

Disaster Relief Amidst COVID-19 PBV held its annual Project Briefing session virtually on 18 Dec 2020. The session was open to registration to members of the public – especially those who have supported PBV’s efforts one way or another – to update and inform them about PBV’s activities throughout 2020. At the start of the session, an overview of how COVID-19 has impacted PBV’s disaster relief efforts was given. With concerns about how COVID-19 would put pressure on existing societal frameworks and systems, PBV has coined COVID-19 as a disaster on a global scale. COVID-19 has made it difficult for PBV staff to enter into disaster-hit areas due to movement […]

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