29
Jul 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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 […]

15
Jun 2026

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Over 100 Volunteers Supporting Recovery in Noto: Deloitte Tohmatsu Group’s Pro Bono Team in Action

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 This article introduces the diverse partner companies and organizations collaborating with PBV. This time, we focus on a partnership example in which “internal members are dispatched as disaster volunteers to the site,” directly responding to the rapidly changing needs of the affected area with reliable personnel and proactive action. It has been two and a half years since the Noto Peninsula earthquake occurred in January 2024. As the support needed by the disaster-hit area evolves daily, there are reassuring partners who continue […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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