AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) has opened relief supply distribution points in Hikawa Town and Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture—areas that suffered severe damage in the Kumamoto Earthquake—where foreign residents affected by the disaster can receive relief supplies and information. Drinking water, food, hygiene items, and other supplies are being distributed free of charge, and are also provided to neighboring residents in need.

Aid and Information Still Slow to Reach Foreign Residents

People from various countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Nepal, live in the disaster-affected areas, many of whom work under technical intern training or specified skilled worker visas. Amid ongoing hardships such as water outages, aid and information remain slow to reach foreign residents. Since the earthquake struck, AAR has been receiving reports such as “Foreign residents are pooling their own money to buy supplies” and “There are international students who say they are too frightened to sleep.”

While AAR was searching for a base for its distribution activities, a helping hand came from BAR.BASE, a bar in Miyahara, Hikawa Town. It is located along the town’s main street and has parking space and room to store supplies. As the bar opens only after 9:00 p.m., the owner generously offered, “Please feel free to use the space during the daytime until the water supply is restored.”

The Vietnamese restaurant San Pham Viet Yatsushiro, in Yatsushiro City, has also agreed to cooperate. Although the restaurant is temporarily closed due to the water outage, its adjoining Vietnamese grocery store remains open. During business hours, the store and an adjacent warehouse are being made available as spaces for distributing and storing supplies.

In Easy Japanese

At both distribution points, AAR has been distributing supplies since August 8, including drinking water, sports drink powder, emergency food such as instant rice (alpha rice) and halal food, body wipes, and portable toilets. AAR staff are stationed at the Hikawa Town site and also respond to consultations about survivors’ concerns.

In consideration of those who have difficulty reading and writing Japanese, AAR created signs and flyers written in HIRAGANA, with phrases such as “mono wo kubaru tokoro” (a place where goods are handed out) and “okane wa irimasen” (no payment needed). The local Junior Chamber and the Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents are also helping to spread information about the distribution points.

In the affected areas, requests for relief supplies and consultations about rebuilding daily life continue to come in every day. Listening to voices such as “I don’t know how to apply for a disaster victim certificate,” AAR will continue its activities to ensure that aid reaches all those affected by the disaster, including foreign residents. We sincerely ask for your support for AAR’s Kumamoto Earthquake emergency responce.