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13
Sep

0

Emergency Response: 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake

An earthquake measuring 7 (out of 7) on the Japanese seismic intensity scale occurred in the early morning of September 6, 2018, resulting in a large-scale blackout and causing massive damage from landslides and liquefaction. In order to provide support for people and areas affected by the earthquake, Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) dispatched trained and experienced staff to the affected area on September 8 to carry out an initial disaster assessment, and has been cooperating closely with related groups and relief organizations. Our immediate goal is to be able to quickly provide support for people in the areas affected most by the earthquake—Atsumi, Abira, and Mukawa towns. We […]

21
Aug

0

[Flooding in Western Japan] Call for International Volunteers

  Western Japan was hit by historic rainfall in July 2018, leading to the deadliest storm-related disaster in the past 36 years. Heavy rains triggered flooding, landslides, and mudslides simultaneously, and claimed lives of over 200 people in the region.  In response to the worst storm-related disaster in the Heisei era, Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) has launched relief activities in the affected area. Prolonged evacuation at the emergency shelters and cleaning of damaged houses that had been flooded to the second floor have been an enormous physical and emotional burden to the local residents. PBV has been supporting the management of emergency shelters and local disaster volunteer centers, […]

18
Jul

0

Emergency Response: Japan Floods 2018 [Update]

Western Japan was hit by historic rainfall in late June/early July 2018, leading to the deadliest storm-related disaster in the past 36 years. Heavy rains triggered flooding, landslides, and mudslides that claimed hundreds of lives, devastated entire communities, and forced many people to leave their homes. Okayama, Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures are thought to be the worst affected; the total number of damaged homes in these areas alone stands at 18,000. 1 week since the disaster, there is still disruption to lifelines such as water, gas, and electricity supply, and some public transportation is still non-operational. Additionally, a heat wave is affecting some of the flood-affected areas, complicating matters further […]

12
Jul

0

Emergency Response: Flooding in Western Japan

Much of western Japan, including Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, Hiroshima, Okayama, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Gifu Prefectures, has been hit by historic rainfall. Several areas have been impacted by flooding and landslides that have claimed lives, devastated entire communities, and forced many people to evacuate from their homes. PBV is currently working closely with partner organisations and relevant agencies to gather as much information as possible about the situation on the ground. After conducting a rapid needs assessment, PBV will implement a comprehensive response to support survivors, in collaboration with local community and government groups. We would greatly appreciate your involvement and support in helping those affected by the flooding in western Japan. […]

01
Jun

0

Two Years Since the Kumamoto Earthquake, The State of Kumamoto

We visited Kumamoto two years after the Kumamoto earthquake.                       In April 2016, Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) dispatched staff to the disaster site from April 16 immediately after the main shock occurred. and started disaster relief work. Until the end of December we carried out eight projects in Kumamoto city, Mashiki, Nishihara village and Minamiaso village, among others. One of the projects that we took part in was a request from Mashiki town office to support the evacuation shelters and the management of shelters by residents and administrative officials at Grand Messe Kumamoto and Hiroyasu Elementary School. […]

01
Jun

0

Two years after the Kumamoto earthquake, staff interview

Two years have passed since the Kumamoto earthquake of April 2016. The Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) was established seven years ago, following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The Kumamoto earthquake was PBV’s second time large-scale disaster response following an earthquake. PBV stayed on site and provided direct support for about 8 months. Many young people chose to work with non-profit organisations following their experience working with PBV in the area affected by the Kumamoto earthquake. For this interview we will be talking with two current PBV staff members.           KUMON Hiroki Nickname: Monmon From Saga Prefecture, 27 years old   […]

19
Apr

0

PBV 7th Anniversary Declaration of Commitment

April 19 marks seven years since the establishment of the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV). Our journey up until this point has been supported by the thoughts and actions of all of you. Thanks to all of our supporters, we have grown into an organization that can fulfill its expected role to society. I would like to share the goals we at PBV  continue to value which are based on our original philosophy that “People support people”. 1. In order to aid in the recovery of disaster victims and the affected areas, we will provide a place tailored to their culture and lives in which all of the […]

18
Apr

0

Messages from Citizens of Ishinomaki, 7 Years after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

It has been 7 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the affected areas, has changed a lot in the time since the disaster. Rather than happening suddenly, the changes have gradually accumulated during the 2555 days of these 7 years, making the city become as it is today. Here, we interviewe three citizens of Ishinomaki, who have both witnessed and devoted themselves to these changes. We greatly appreciate their cooperation. Meanwhile, we hope this interview can help readers understand more about Ishinomaki, and think about what individuals can do for the city today.   Ms Abe Kiyoko Owner, Restaurant […]

23
Mar

0

Letter from Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture

We recently received a letter from the mayor of Asakura City, affected by the heavy rainstorms in Kyushu, southern Japan last July. Our support activities for the affected areas included cleanup activities for houses, management of disaster volunteers, restoration activities of farmland and so on, carried out in cooperation with a great number of support groups, local organizations and volunteers. Once again, we would like to express our appreciation for all those who made contributions to this support, inlcuding individuals, groups and organizations. Thank you very much! Translation of the letter   Dear friends, On July 5, 2017, a rainstorm occurred in the northern part of Kyushu. It brought unprecedented […]

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