AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan), working together with the technical and construction volunteer group “Kazegumi Kanto,” installed a temporary shower unit at the “Toyono-machi Community Center” in Uki City. Amid the ongoing severe heat, children who were able to take a shower for the first time in days cried out, “This feels great!”

Among the affected areas, Toyono-machi in Uki City is reported to have experienced particularly severe shaking, sustaining major damage that affected 180 people across 70 households. Water service was cut off across the entire town, but due to the ensuing confusion, relief efforts were delayed, and it was not until the 31st that the Japan Self-Defense Forces finally began providing water supplies. Toyono-machi Community Center had been designated as an evacuation shelter, but with part of the building damaged, it is now being used as a supply distribution site.

Responding to SOS from residents and volunteers, when AAR visited on August 1, the only relief supplies they had received were bread. While there is a hot spring facility about 10 km away that has been opened to the public free of charge, it is too crowded for people to relax in the baths, making it difficult to use for the elderly, young children, and those without transportation. With residents spending day after day clearing out their damaged homes in temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, unable to even wash themselves, exhaustion was clearly mounting.

In response, AAR immediately provided 250 servings of ready-to-eat rice. Furthermore, with supplies provided by “Yamaya Bussan” (Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture), a disaster-preparedness goods company run by Kazegumi Kanto director Yamamoto, a temporary shower room was set up within a single day. It is the same type of unit used in evacuation shelters after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and is fitted with handrails to prevent elderly users from falling. There is no prospect yet of restoring the water supply in Toyono-machi, so water drawn by the Self-Defense Forces is stored in tanks for use.

Children who visited the community center were able to take a shower for the first time in three days, showing bright, refreshed smiles as they said, “Ahh, that felt so clean,” and “That felt great.” The temporary shower room will remain set up at the community center for the time being, available for use on a rotating basis from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

AAR Ohara commented, “Clearing out houses and living as evacuees in this record-breaking heat is truly difficult. Showers are also essential for hygiene, so we need to move quickly on this kind of support, and we want to continue doing everything we can.” AAR will continue supporting those affected by the disaster. We ask for your continued support of AAR’s Kumamoto earthquake emergency response.