This summer, AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief Japan) organized a soup kitchen of home-cooked meal by Filipinas living in the affected areas as a part of activities to support foreign survivors of the Noto Peninsula earthquake. Technical trainees in the fishing industry and other industries and foreign residents living in the affected areas have weak ties with the local community due to the language barrier, and it is difficult for them to receive information on administrative services and evacuation centers. We organized this soup kitchen to help local neighbors to become aware of the existence of foreign residents and build their relationship of mutual help in ordinary times.

The soup kitchen at Wajima Junior High School in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, where reconstruction work continues, was run by Filipina Regina and her friends with the help of Mr. Shinichi Kinoshita, who runs a Japanese language school in Wajima. Under the hygiene guidance of local chef Mr. Toshiaki Tominari, who has worked with AAR on soup kitchens, they cooked “Afritada”, a tomato stew with chicken and vegetables and served for lunch to 53 people living in the shelter.

Regina said with a smile “At first I was going to make it by myself, but my friends helped me because it was a lot. We worked well together and it was a lot of fun.” Afritada they cooked was highly praised by the chef, and the people at the shelter commented “I’ve never had this kind of meal before, but it was delicious and goes well with rice”,” I heard they were made by Filipinas!”

Since the shelter’s cooking area and living space were completely separated, Regina and her friends could not have direct contact with the survivors. However, Mr. Kinoshita put a big note on the menu saying “Prepared by Regina and her friends who live in Wajima” to let people know about them. He said, “I hope that everyone who ate the unusual food, which was different from the usual soup kitchen, will remember that there are Filipinas living close by, along with the memories of this meal.”

While the number of foreign residents in Japan increases, promoting mutual assistance between foreigners and local residents in the event of a disaster is a challenge. In cooperation with local residents, AAR is planning to create a support network to help foreign residents in Okunoto region to live with peace of mind. We ask for your continued understanding and support for the Noto Peninsula earthquake.