Kumamoto International's Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
This page is currently under construction. However, we will try to build it as quickly as possible in order to organize the most important information being exchanged on the Kumamoto International Facebook page.How can I donate?
- Donation accounts set up by Kumamoto City
"Kumamoto City has set up three different accounts for earthquake relief donations." - Call for 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Donations
Kumamoto Prefecture is currently taking donations to help those affected by the earthquakes that started on April 14. Donations will be accepted until June 30. - 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund
Micaela (ミカエラ) explains her 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund. Click here to go directly to Micaela's site. - Donation Solicitation from the Fukuoka Masjid Al Nour Islamic Center
The center identifies a Japan Post Bank (Yucho ginkou) account at which it is accepting donations. - AAR Japan / How you can help
The Association of Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) is an international NGO founded in Japan in 1979. - Second Harvest Japan Second Harvest is a food bank that works to make sure that food that has been partially damaged in transit is put to some use and the link above allows you to make direct donations to Kumamoto Prefecture
- Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV) Part of the Peace Boat initiative, they are an international NGO that works on disaster relief around the world. Here is a news post about what they have been doing in Kumamoto.
How can I volunteer?
- Search Kumamoto International for "volunteer"
If you are logged in to Facebook, clicking on the above link should show you the most recent posts that contain the word "volunteer". I you would like to search Kumamoto International with another term, you can substitute the word "volunteer" with the term you wish to search for. Unfortunately, this only works if you are logged into Facebook.
- It is difficult to find food, water, gas in the disaster areas.
- There is still a risk of further aftershocks.
- Roads in the area are damage so car travel is slow. There is a high chance of traffic.
- Please keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
- There is very limited food and lodging in the area, please prepare this yourself.
- Consider carpooling in order to limit the number of cars on the road.
Also,
-Register. Insurance will not cover people who are not registered
-All phone numbers are presumably Japanese only
This google spreadsheet gives contact information and any additional information about volunteering. Currently, we have information for the following locations on the spreadsheet
- Kikuyo
- Mashiki
- Mifune
- Kosa
- Nishihara
- Kashima
- Ozu
- Misato
- Koshi
- Kumamoto
Kumamoto
Those who want to request volunteer help, please call:
Kumamoto City Volunteer Center - 090-6553-1592 or 090-6653-1581 (Fax: 096-354-2122). These numbers will be open from 9 to 4.
MinamiAso
Helping at evacuation centers and delivery of supplies.
Phone numbers: 0967-67-2511 and 0967-67-2512
Location: Minamiaso Sogofukushi Center (https://goo.gl/maps/yu2eTdHpBQN2)
Kikuchi
Phone numbers: 090-8348-3147 and 090-8348-2821
Location: Kikuchi Social Welfare Council Office (https://goo.gl/maps/gDgmKs1sqR82)
Uto
Phone numbers: 0964-23-3756 and 0964-23-3757
Location: Uto Social Welfare Council Office (https://goo.gl/maps/2KzvVBbqZNt)
Website: http://www.utoshakyou.jp/
Mashiki (please note, Mashiki city has asked that no volunteers be in Mashiki during Golden Week except those from Kumamoto because of parking issues)
Japanese PDF with info: http://www.mashiki-shakyo.or.jp/data/whatsnew/data_own/833316-1.pdf
The signup location is the Iseki Kumamoto Factory Ground.
Here is a Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/LRRDJW7ow5Q2
They are looking for 200 volunteers.
You can contact the Mashiki Disaster Volunteer Center at 090-289-6090 (9 to 4)
- Emergency information on Kumamoto City website
The information put out by the city is in Japanese. For a rough English translation plus access to the original Japanese click here.
For those of you currently living in cramped conditions (shelter, car, etc.), you are at risk for developing economy class syndrome (エコノミー症候群・ekonomii shoukougun). This is a very serious condition that may be deadly, and is believed to have caused one death already.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to moving when you can and doing exercises (rotating your ankles, flexing up while having your feet on the ground) and massaging your calves, try to drink water when available. Pay attention to yourself and those around you as well for symptoms such as swelling or pain in one or both legs (especially when squeezed) , shortness of breath and severe fatigue. Seek immediate treatment if you or anyone else exhibits these symptoms.
Additionally Norovirus has been cropping up in some shelters as well, so please take every measure to keep your hands clean. Colds and influenza also spread bad after 3/11, so you may want to keep a mask on as well.
Hang in there and take care of yourselves!
From Miyagi
Thanks! We have posted a little about the economy syndrome but I would like to post more. We haven't posted anything about the norovirus issue yet.
DeleteJust wanted to let you all know of another volunteer opportunity:
ReplyDeleteDates: 1 August ~ 5 August, 9AM~12PM & 2PM~4:30PM
Location: Ozu Town, Kumamoto
In the morning session, we are looking for volunteers to come and help us teach English to the children of Kumamoto who were recently affected by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes.
In the afternoon session, we are also looking for volunteers to come and help us in an English immersion program where we will teach English and create video storytelling projects with high school students from Kumamoto.
If you are interested, please contact us @ Email: holiday.school.kumamoto@gmail.com or Tel: 050 3551 3633.