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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 […]

20
Mar 2026

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Empower Your Community: Disaster Resilience Seminar

Join PBV’s Online Training for International Residents in Japan Are you a member of an international community in Japan, a passionate volunteer, or someone looking to refresh your disaster preparedness knowledge?  Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to find out how to utilize your knowledge and experience! On March 25th, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) is hosting an engaging online seminar designed to empower you and your community to better prepare for and respond to disasters in Japan. What you will learn: Join us to connect, learn, and strengthen resilience within your community. Together, we can create a safer, more prepared environment for all residents in Japan. Who should attend: Secure […]

16
Mar 2026

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Hands-On Disaster Preparedness Workshop with Hands On Tokyo (Ayumo Project)

On March 7, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) held a hands-on disaster preparedness workshop in Tokyo together with participants from Hands On Tokyo’s Ayumo Project, a program that supports and connects Ukrainian refugees in Japan. Hands On Tokyo is a volunteer organization that connects individuals and communities with meaningful volunteer opportunities across Tokyo. Through the Ayumo Project, they support Ukrainian families in Japan by creating opportunities for community connection, learning, and mutual support.  Learn more about Hands On Tokyo and the Ayumo Project:https://www.handsontokyo.org/topics/385/ The program began with a visit to the Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center (Ikebukuro Bosai-kan), where participants took part in several disaster simulation activities. Participants first experienced […]

11
Mar 2026

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Fifteen Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake — From “That Day” to “Today”: The Changing Landscape of Ishinomaki

Fifteen years ago today, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan. We offer our deepest condolences to all those who lost their lives in the disaster, and extend our heartfelt sympathy to their families and loved ones. On March 17, 2011, just days after the disaster struck, we team arrived in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. Rendered speechless by the devastation that lay before us, we were overwhelmed — yet, together with local residents, we began taking one step at a time, doing whatever we could in the moment. “It takes people to support people” As disaster relief volunteers rushed to the affected areas, the landscape of Ishinomaki gradually began to […]

05
Mar 2026

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PBV Supports Typhoon Ragasa Recovery in Hualien, Taiwan

Super Typhoon Ragasa tore through eastern Taiwan on 23 September 2025, unleashing catastrophic flooding across the Hualien region after a landslide dam on the Matai’an Stream burst its banks. The townships of Guangfu, Wanrong, and Fenglin bore the brunt of the disaster. Guangfu — sitting at the lowest elevation — was hit hardest, with more than 1,600 homes engulfed in thick, muddy silt. Roads were severed, power lines brought down, and medical access cut off, leaving thousands of residents in acute distress. Authorities had confirmed 19 deaths, with five people still missing and 157 others injured by 12 October. The destruction did not end with the storm. Subsequent aftershocks compounded […]

24
Feb 2026

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Four Years of War: Solidarity Across Borders

As we approach the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, it is difficult to believe how much time has passed. What no one could predict in its duration has become a long and painful reality. The war continues to take lives and exhaust an entire nation. Especially during the winter months, attacks on energy infrastructure have once again left millions without stable electricity or heating. In some areas, power is available for only a few hours a day. When temperatures drop to –20°C, the lack of heating becomes not only uncomfortable but dangerous — pipes freeze, homes are damaged, and daily life becomes a constant effort to adapt. […]

20
Feb 2026

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Monitoring Visit to Our Relief Efforts in North Sumatra, Indonesia

From February 8 to 12, PBV staff visited Indonesia to observe our ongoing relief operations, distribute hot meals and relief supplies, and monitor the progress of our assistance efforts. Our relief activities in Indonesia are carried out in close coordination with our local partner, ASAR Humanity, a trusted NGO with a strong track record of collaboration. We have worked together in response to past disasters in Indonesia. In Sipirok, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra Province, hot meals were provided in a community where more than 100 households have been taking shelter in tents and warehouses.  Approximately 1,000 meals per day—covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner—were prepared and distributed to those affected by […]

12
Feb 2026

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Join Our Disaster Preparedness Experience — March 14 & 21

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) will hold two Disaster Preparedness Experience sessions for foreign residents in Japan on March 14 and March 21, 2026, in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This hands-on program combines a guided visit to a Disaster Prevention Center with a practical disaster preparedness workshop, helping participants build confidence and skills to stay safe during emergencies in Japan. Hands-On Museum Experience Participants will visit the Ikebukuro Disaster Prevention Center and take part in realistic disaster simulations, including: While the center normally conducts tours in simple Japanese, PBV staff will provide full English interpretation for this program. Practical Workshop After the museum visit, participants will move to a nearby venue for […]

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