News

17
Aug 2026

Beyond Emergency Relief: Supporting Recovery After the Mindanao Earthquake

Two months after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, 2026, affected communities are beginning the difficult process of recovery. For many families, however, the end of the immediate emergency does not mean that the challenges are over. In Malita, Davao Occidental, 1,788 houses were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Many residents have returned to their damaged homes, despite the risks and the limited resources available to repair them. The situation has also been complicated by other disasters. In July, severe rainfall caused flooding in parts of Davao Occidental, including a flash flood that swept away homes and people. For communities already affected by the earthquake, […]

PBV
News
Activity Reports, Disaster Relief, Earthquake, Mindanao, Peace Boat

15
Aug 2026

Responding to the Mindanao Earthquake: Reaching Communities in Malita

Two months have passed since a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck offshore near Mindanao, the Philippines, on June 8, 2026. While the immediate emergency has subsided, many affected communities continue to face damaged homes, disrupted services, and difficult conditions for recovery. Following the earthquake, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) dispatched its staff on the ground to join its long-standing local partner, Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. (BMFI), to assess the situation and identify communities where assistance was most urgently needed. Based on the initial assessments, Malita in Davao Occidental was selected as a primary area of intervention. The municipality, home to more than 118,000 people across 30 villages, serves as an important […]

PBV
News
Disaster Relief, Earthquake, emergency relief, Mindanao, Peace Boat

14
Aug 2026

Two Weeks After the Kumamoto Earthquake: PBV Continues Emergency Relief Efforts

More than two weeks have passed since a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026. The earthquake occurred at approximately 4:27 p.m., with a magnitude of 7.1 and a maximum seismic intensity of 7 recorded in Uki City and Hikawa Town. While emergency response efforts continue, many communities across the affected areas are still facing significant challenges, including disruptions to essential services and damage to homes. According to the latest information compiled on the Kumamoto Earthquake information portal, as of August 13, approximately 28,400 households remain without water. A total of 28,203 residential buildings have been reported affected, including 1,274 buildings classified as large-scale or partially destroyed, while […]

04
Aug 2026

Kumamoto Earthquake: PBV Continues Emergency Relief and Needs Assessments

Following the powerful earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has continued its emergency response across the affected region, working closely with local governments, Social Welfare Councils, partner organizations, and community members to identify urgent needs and deliver appropriate support. In the first days after the disaster, PBV staff conducted field assessments in Kashima Town, Uki City, Yatsushiro City, and other affected areas while coordinating with local authorities and disaster response organizations. Although official information continues to emerge, visiting communities directly has remained essential to understanding the full extent of the damage and identifying people whose needs may not yet be reflected in […]

31
Jul 2026

LaunchGood Doubles Your Donation to Support Kumamoto Earthquake Relief

Following the devastating earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been responding on the ground to assess the needs of affected communities and provide emergency assistance. As recovery efforts continue, support from people around the world will play an important role in helping communities begin to rebuild. We have been deeply encouraged by the many heartfelt messages and generous donations received from across Japan. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who has already shown their support. As response activities continue, additional assistance will help us reach even more people affected by this disaster. To further support the emergency response, LaunchGood has launched […]

PBV
News
Disaster Relief, Earthquake, emergency relief, Kumamoto, LaunchGood, Peace Boat

29
Jul 2026

Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake in Kumamoto: Emergency Relief Fund Launched

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the earthquake. On July 28, 2026, a strong earthquake registering a maximum seismic intensity of 7 (preliminary magnitude 7.1) struck Kumamoto Prefecture. Strong shaking was felt across a wide area of Kyushu, and a tsunami advisory was temporarily issued for nearby coastal regions before being lifted at 18:10 JST. While the full extent of the impact is still being assessed, significant damage has already been reported, including collapsed buildings, fires, and landslides. In 2016, a maximum intensity 7 foreshock struck Kumamoto, followed approximately 28 hours later by an equally powerful mainshock. Because major secondary tremors remain a serious risk, continued […]

16
Jul 2026

New Documentary Highlights the Importance of Community-Led Disaster Response

A new documentary, Right Help, Right Time, has been released by the Australian initiative Beyond Disaster, exploring how communities around the world respond when disasters strike. The film is now available to watch online and features lessons and experiences from several countries, including Japan. In 2024, the Beyond Disaster team visited the Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) office as part of their global research on spontaneous disaster volunteers and community resilience. During their journey, they interviewed disaster responders, community leaders, and volunteers to learn how communities organize and support one another during emergencies. The documentary shares stories from New Zealand, Japan, Türkiye, Syria, the United Kingdom, the United States, Chile, […]

13
Jul 2026

June 2026 Torrential Rain: PBV Staff Dispatched to Kagoshima Prefecture

Following the torrential rains on June 24, 2026, Satsumasendai City in Kagoshima Prefecture recorded more than 100 millimeters of rainfall in a single hour. The intense rainfall caused irrigation canals and rivers to overflow in several areas of the city. In the Nagatoshi district, 24 residents were temporarily trapped in their homes before being rescued. Flooding affected more than 100 residential buildings across the city. At the request of the Kagoshima Prefectural Council of Social Welfare, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) dispatched a specialized housing preservation team to begin relief operations. Working closely with local organizations, the team is gathering information, assessing damage, and identifying the support needed to respond […]

19
Jun 2026

Building Connections and Future Preparedness Through the PBV–JDI Partnership

Disclaimer: This is an English translated summary of the article originally posted in Japanese. Should you wish to read the original article, visit the PBV Japanese website: https://pbv.or.jp/blog/?p=38067 The collaboration between PBV and Deloitte Tohmatsu Group’s “Just Do It!! Regional Initiative” (JDI) extends beyond physical labor. Through the operation of community gathering spaces, which is one of PBV’s community support activities, and meticulous flyer distribution efforts to inform residents about these gatherings, JDI members have also deeply empathized with people’s emotions. Initially, they admitted to moments of hesitation, wondering “how to approach people.” However, as they spent time together, laughing and playing games at the gathering spaces, they quickly became […]

Page 1 of 51

Archive for Category: News