Disaster Response

DISASTER RESPONSE

Disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods occur frequently not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world, and sometimes they can cause enormous damage. We, the Salvation Army, provide support for recovery through prompt support so that those who have lost their homes, places, and families due to these disasters and are seeking assistance can lead a fulfilled life.

The Salvation Army operates based on the following three philosophies so that all people can live a dignified life.

North-East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami (2011)

The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which became a major disaster mainly in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in 2011. The Salvation Army provided encouragement to those affected by the disaster and support for rebuilding their lives in cooperation with local NPOs.

In Onagawa Mukai, Miyagi Prefecture, we cooperated with Onagawa Mukai Gakukan (NPO Katariba) to provide support for children who have the highest priority in the reconstruction and regeneration of the city. We opened study support center, to provide not only lessons, but also place for making friends, counseling, event making, and creative lessons. The purpose was to provide psychological support for children.

In Minamisanriku-cho, we supported "NPO Biba! Minamisanriku", which helps elderly people to live with health and purpose, and operates cultural center activities (craft club, calligraphy, pottery making, bus tour to Tamachimura). In addition, we provided support such as conducting a human resources business for the elderly and having them participate in park maintenance, cemetery cleaning, and support for local industries.

In Tome city, we cooperated with the NPO Kanami no Mori and practiced care and guidance for children with intellectual disabilities immediately after the earthquake. When the earthquake struck, people with disabilities faced danger and many difficulties in their lives afterwards. The Salvation Army is helping these people learn how to interact and communicate with the people in their community.

Western Japan torrential rain and flood (2018)

The heavy rains in western Japan in July 2018 caused a wide range of effects, mainly in Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures.

With the cooperation of the Salvation Army Children's Family Support Center "Ashitaba", the local government, and the Christian churches in Hiroshima, volunteers from all over the country have gathered and launched Christian Church-Hiroshima Disaster Countermeasures Office and Kure Volunteer Center to conduct support activities. In addition to purchasing scoops, sprayers, sandbags, and disinfectants with funds from temporary Shakainabe (Christmas Kettle) and central disaster relief fund campaigns set up in various places, drinking water donated by Ginza "Matsuya" was used.

In addition, Lieutenant Yu Yoshida, the director of the Aikoen, acted as a core member of the Ki disaster volunteer center and carried out an "accommodation project" that rented five churches and one group's synagogue and facilities. Here, too, we used water supply aids, high-pressure washers, shovels, and sandbags to scrape houses and roads, remove sandbags and rubble, and clean houses and gardens. A total of more than 1000 volunteers from churches and organizations across the country participated in this activity.

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (1995)

At 5:46 am on Tuesday, January 17, 1995, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Hanshin region before dawn, causing numerous casualties. With most of the lifelines such as transportation, telecommunications, electricity, gas, and water destroyed, the Salvation Army began support activities from the evening of the 17th. Blankets, comforters, food, underwear, drinking water, daily necessities (paper diapers, powdered milk, sanitary goods, wet wipes), dry batteries, clothing, hand warmers and other relief supplies were delivered to the people throughout Kobe City, Amagasaki City, Itami City, and Osaka City. This activity has continued for more than half a year.

On January 26, the Salvation Army medical team from the United States entered Kobe and joined the medical team at the Salvation Army Booth Memorial Hospital in Tokyo to provide free medical care to the victims.

On March 4, a canteen car (mobile lunch vehicle) arrived from the Salvation Army in the United States and provided hot drinks such as coffee and tea to the victims in shelters and temporary housing.