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09
Jun 2026

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Emergency Relief: M7.8 Earthquake Hits Mindanao, Philippines

On June 8, 2026, at approximately 8:38 AM (JST), a massive magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near Mindanao, Philippines. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) immediately began gathering information with our local partner, Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. (BMFI)—an NGO with 30 years of experience in the region. Reports confirm severe damage, including the collapse of schools, shopping centers, and residential buildings, primarily in the southern part of the island. According to local disaster management authorities, the impact has unfortunately resulted in dozens of casualties, hundreds of injuries, and widespread displacement across the region. Given the scale of the disaster, PBV and BMFI have officially decided to launch a joint emergency relief operation. […]

13
May 2026

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Rebuilding Lives on Catanduanes Island: Six Months of Recovery Support in the Philippines

PBV has been supporting communities on Catanduanes Island in the central Philippines after Typhoon Fung-wong, made landfall last November and caused widespread damage. Working with its local partner, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (PDRRN), PBV has so far distributed hygiene and household supply kits to 209 families in communities in the northern part of the island. Efforts are now focused on repairing damaged homes, installing temporary shelters, and restoring water and sanitation facilities. Even months after the typhoon, recovery on Catanduanes remains difficult. The island has been repeatedly hit by heavy rain and strong winds since the disaster, slowing the restoration of basic infrastructure. Flooding and landslides have worsened […]

09
May 2026

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PBV Concludes Vital Indonesia Flood Relief, Extends Thanks to Generous Donors

PBV has completed its emergency response to the severe rains that struck Indonesia in 2025, with thousands of people receiving food and essential supplies through the operation. The relief effort was carried out in partnership with the local organisation ASAR Humanity and was supported by a wide range of companies, groups and individual donors. Among them was OM2 Dining Co., Ltd., which operates Outback Steakhouse restaurants across Japan. Thanks to those contributions, PBV and its partners were able to provide around 27,300 hot meals and distribute relief supplies — including food, hygiene items and bedding — to approximately 9,700 households. Details of the emergency response were previously introduced in PBV’s […]

30
Apr 2026

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Standing with Catanduanes: Ongoing Recovery and Relief Efforts in the Wake of Successive Typhoons

Catanduanes Island, located in southeastern Luzon, has been repeatedly struck by wind and flood damage following a series of typhoons. Months after the initial impact, infrastructure restoration efforts are still ongoing across the island. Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV), in collaboration with our local partner, People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (PDRRN), has provided hygiene and daily necessity kits to 209 households in northern Catanduanes. Currently, our activities have expanded to include house repairs, the installation of temporary shelters, and the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities. The frequent storms have caused severe flooding and landslides, deteriorating road conditions and presenting significant challenges to the delivery of aid. Despite these […]

27
Apr 2026

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Subsequent Earthquake Warning 

A series of earthquakes has struck off the coasts of Sanriku and Hokkaido, causing widespread concern among residents. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a subsequent earthquake warning. When a major earthquake occurs, aftershocks often continue in the surrounding areas. In light of this, the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a subsequent earthquake warning following an earthquake, advising people to review their disaster preparedness measures and ensure they are ready to evacuate immediately. While the issuance of this warning does not necessarily mean a massive earthquake will occur, it is important to prepare for the possibility of a new large-scale earthquake by reviewing your disaster preparedness measures at home and at […]

19
Apr 2026

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PBV Marks Its 15th Anniversary

Today, April 19, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) marks its 15th anniversary. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported our work over the years: our volunteers, donors, corporate and organizational partners, members of our networks, local residents in disaster-affected areas, government officials, and social welfare councils. PBV was founded in 2011, the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and since then we have continued our work guided by the belief; “It takes people to support people” Over these 15 years, we have witnessed countless examples of the natural chain of people helping one another. No matter how much systems and technology evolve, it is […]

14
Apr 2026

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10 Years After the Kumamoto Earthquake: Transforming Lessons Learned into a Lifeline for the Future

April 14, 2026, marks the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Ten years ago, at 9:26 PM on April 14, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake (foreshock) with a maximum intensity of 7 struck near Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. Just two days later, in the early hours of April 16, a magnitude 7.3 mainshock—also measuring intensity 7—hit the same region again. These unprecedented double shocks left 190,000 houses damaged and forced 200,000 people to flee their homes. The most sobering reality remains the number of “disaster-related deaths.” As of April 11, 2025, 225 individuals have passed away due to the worsening of living conditions—far exceeding the 50 direct deaths caused by […]

30
Mar 2026

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“The Hot Meals Helped Us Feed Our Families”: Voices from North Sumatra

After the floods in North Sumatra, daily life became uncertain for thousands of families who suddenly lost access to basic necessities. Cooking, eating, and maintaining hygiene turned into daily challenges, especially for those living in damaged homes or temporary shelters. Through the emergency response carried out by PBV and ASAR Humanity, many families were able to regain a sense of stability, even in the midst of recovery. For many, the public kitchens became a crucial source of support. One mother from the affected community shared that the hot meals provided over ten days made a significant difference for her family. “The hot meals really helped us because we struggled to […]

26
Mar 2026

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Emergency Relief Reaches Flood-Affected Communities in North Sumatra

From January 27 to February 23, 2026, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV), in partnership with ASAR Humanity, provided emergency assistance to communities affected by floods in Sipirok and Batangtoru, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The response reached a total of 5,115 families, or approximately 25,725 people, many of whom were facing displacement, damaged homes, and limited access to food and basic necessities. In Sipirok, a public kitchen was operated from January 27 to February 9. Over ten days of activity, volunteers prepared approximately 1,000 hot meals per day, ensuring that around 1,400 individuals had access to freshly cooked food while their homes remained unusable. The meals were distributed regularly, helping families maintain […]

24
Mar 2026

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International Residents Join Disaster Preparedness Workshops in Tokyo

This March, Peace Boat Disaster Relief successfully held additional Disaster Preparedness Day workshops on March 7th, 14th and 21st in Tokyo, welcoming participants from many different countries, including Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Ukraine, the United States, and more. The workshops brought together international residents living in Japan who wanted to learn how to better prepare for disasters and protect themselves and their communities. During the program, participants took part in hands-on disaster simulation activities such as earthquake simulation, smoke evacuation training, and basic firefighting practice. For many participants, this was their first time experiencing how strong an earthquake can feel or how difficult it can be to move safely through a […]

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