Many facilities for people with disabilities, as well as other welfare facilities, in the areas affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake suffered severe damage and continue to struggle to receive adequate assistance. AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) has begun distributing relief supplies to these facilities.

On July 30, AAR’s emergency response team delivered emergency relief items to Waiwai Niji no Mura, a facility for people with disabilities located in Saka, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, which sustained severe damage in the earthquake. Supplies included a portable air conditioner (spot cooler), drinking water, oral rehydration solutions, portable toilets, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and emergency food provisions.

This facility had previously suffered devastating damage during the July 2020 Kyushu floods. At that time, AAR supported the reopening of the facility by providing bread-making equipment used by its beneficiaries. Immediately after the recent earthquake, Facility Director Yoshiharu Takahama reached out to AAR with an urgent request for assistance:

“Both electricity and water have been cut off, and we are barely managing with groundwater. Many of our staff members have also been affected by the disaster. If you could bring supplies such as water, it would help tremendously, as we could also distribute them to people sheltering at home.”

“We put on disposable rubber gloves and began clearing away broken glass,” Director Takahama explained. “The equipment in our bakery workshop was damaged by the quake and can no longer be used, and we still have no prospect of resuming operations. After the flooding disaster six years ago, I never imagined we would have to endure another disaster like this.”

He shared his deep frustration and exhaustion over facing repeated natural disasters.

In disaster-affected areas, basic necessities such as water and food tend to become more available over time. However, the specific needs of welfare facilities and similar institutions are often overlooked and difficult to identify. Organizations such as AAR play a vital role in listening directly to people and understanding their individual needs. AAR will continue its efforts to support those who are most likely to be left behind by conventional relief efforts.

AAR’s emergency response to the Kumamoto Earthquake has also received generous support from overseas donors. In particular, people in Taiwan have made substantial contributions through the Mustard Seed Mission (MSM), a Taiwanese organization that partnered with AAR to provide emergency assistance following the 2024 Eastern Taiwan Earthquake.

Together with the heartfelt support of donors from around the world, AAR will continue delivering assistance to communities affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake.