Following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on July 28, affected communities in Kumamoto Prefecture continue to endure water and power outages during a period of severe summer heat. In response, AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) deployed an emergency relief team to initiate immediate assistance.

Two staff members from our Tokyo headquarters arrived in the affected area on July 29. We are currently evaluating damage and assessing urgent needs at local shelters and welfare facilities, while actively distributing relief supplies. At “Yatsushiro Gakuen,” a support facility for people with disabilities in Yatsushiro City that suffered significant damage, AAR delivered essential items including 120 bottles of 500 ml drinking water, water storage tanks, body wipes, and salt candies for heatstroke prevention.

Yatsushiro Gakuen provides residential care (capacity: 40) and day support services (capacity: 60), supported by approximately 50 staff members. Although electricity is on and air conditioners are working, part of the building was damaged, rendering the women’s residential wing uninhabitable.

While many residents face mobility challenges requiring wheelchairs or handrails, all 17 male and 24 female residents are currently living together on a single floor of the men’s wing. Although the facility is designated as a specialized welfare shelter, it cannot accept general evacuees due to the damage to its own facilities.

A facility staff member shared their concerns: “Because of the water outage, we are relying on portable toilets. While partner organizations have provided drinking water, water is also essential for preparing meals for our residents, so a prolonged outage is a major concern.” Upon receiving the relief supplies, they expressed their gratitude by saying, “Thank you so much for delivering support to us so quickly.”

Additionally, AAR’s emergency team and our partner NGO, Peace Project—led by AAR Japan Board Director Ben Kato—are preparing to begin hot meal distributions on July 30.

With ongoing water outages and extreme summer temperatures, evacuees face increasingly difficult conditions. As we continue providing hot meals and essential supplies, AAR Japan is dedicated to supporting those who face the greatest hardships, particularly people with disabilities and the elderly. We are deeply grateful for the warm support we have received so far, and we humbly ask for your continued contributions to AAR’s Kumamoto Earthquake emergency response.