05
Mar 2026

0

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 […]

20
Feb 2026

0

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 […]

20
Jan 2026

0

Cebu Earthquake Response: Paving the Way to Community Recovery

On January 10, 2026, the support project for earthquake-affected communities in Cebu, Philippines, was successfully completed in cooperation with local partners. Through this project, we delivered water tanks and buckets to 1,013 households and provided shelter repair kits, including corrugated metal sheets, plywood, nails, and wire, to 136 households. We also distributed 60 sets of carpentry tools for shared use within the communities that received the repair kits. As recovery efforts for severely damaged homes progressed, residents began repairing partially damaged homes using the provided repair kits. While the timing of repairs has varied depending on each household’s financial situation and the need to purchase additional materials, the support has […]

05
Jan 2026

0

Delivering Safe Water and Supporting Recovery in Cebu

In Cebu, Philippines, many people are still facing difficult living conditions due to the earthquake that struck on September 30 and the typhoon that followed. PBV continues to carry out relief activities in close collaboration with local partners. In Medellin, a municipality in northern Cebu, PBV worked together with local organizations Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI) and Safe Water for Every Child Philippines to install water purification systems. During a site visit by PBV staff in early December, a pump was installed as part of the repairs to the water facility. Clear water began flowing again by the next day, and the restoration has provided access to safe water for […]

13
Dec 2025

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On the Ground in Cebu to Advance Water Access and Community Recovery

From December 4 to 7, the PBV team conducted a field visit to monitor ongoing activities and plan the next steps in supporting communities in Medellin, Cebu, Philippines. The area was severely affected by an earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu on September 30, and the damage was compounded by Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name Tino), which hit central Philippines on November 4. Water towers collapsed in many areas, and water systems have yet to be restored in numerous communities. This has made it difficult for many residents to access safe drinking water. From the early stages of the response, PBV has deployed staff to the area and, together […]

10
Sep 2025

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Progress of the Re-Gait Rehabilitation Project in Ukraine

The rehabilitation project led by Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) in collaboration with UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Centre in Lviv and with the supervision of Prof. Louis Yuge of Hiroshima University, using the innovative Re-Gait device, continues to bring positive results in Ukraine. Since the device was introduced, it has become an important tool in helping patients regain mobility and improve their quality of life after leg injuries. We stay in regular contact with physical therapist Dr. Liubov Koloshynska, who visited Japan for hands-on training with the Re-Gait system. Each month, we learn about the progress of patients and the benefits the device provides in everyday rehabilitation. Over the past month: Therapists […]

22
Aug 2025

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PBV’s Ongoing Support in Kagoshima: Emergency Relief and Recovery Efforts

Ten days have passed since Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) launched emergency operations in response to the record-breaking heavy rains that struck Kagoshima Prefecture and other parts of Kyushu earlier this month. Over the past week, our teams have been working on multiple fronts to support the affected communities while coordinating closely with local governments, social welfare councils, NGOs, and volunteer groups. PBV has carried out detailed damage assessments in the hardest-hit areas of Kirishima City and Aira City, listening to residents and local officials to better understand the needs on the ground. Based on these assessments, our teams delivered emergency supplies, including bottled water and air circulators, to evacuation […]

10
Aug 2025

0

Torrential Rain in Southern Kyushu; Emergency Relief Fund Launched

In response to the relentless rainfall that has been pounding southern Kyushu since early August 8, PBV has deployed a team to assess damage and coordinate relief efforts. The initial supply of 100 cases of bottled water has been procured from our Saga office and transported to the affected areas to support immediate needs. The focus of our assessment is on areas severely impacted by the floods, particularly in Kirishima City and Aira City in Kagoshima Prefecture. Local authorities have been engaged to gather firsthand information about the current situation as part of the investigation. As survey activities continue, PBV is carefully considering subsequent steps to provide effective assistance. The […]

24
Jul 2025

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Project Report Published: Supporting the Rehabilitation in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) has been actively engaged in supporting the people of Ukraine through various initiatives in Japan and neighboring countries. In April 2024, PBV collaborated with UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Center in Lviv on a project aimed at advancing physical rehabilitation support for injured Ukrainians. In April 2025, Dr. Liubov Koloshynska from UNBROKEN visited Japan to take part in a training that included visits to rehabilitation facilities in Hiroshima and Fukuyama and knowledge exchange with Japanese medical professionals. This visit helped strengthen cross-border collaboration in the field of rehabilitation medicine and brought valuable insights back to Ukraine. As part of the […]

18
Sep 2024

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Report: PBV’s Disaster Relief in Chile

On February 22, a massive forest fire broke out in central Chile, killing 137 people and forcing the evacuation of a total of 16,000 people. Immediately after this fire, PBV contacted the Nikkei Association in Chile and decided to support the Jardin Botanico Nacional (National Botanical Garden), which was severely damaged. The Jardin Botanico Nacional was the site of the A-bombed trees sent from Japan, which had been a symbol of peace and exchange. These symbolic cherry trees were also burnt to the ground by this fire. At the Star Festival held at the park in July, Nikkei Association President Haruko Sanchez Suzuki handed a donation from the public to […]