Japan Earthquake Disaster Recovery

This April marks the two year anniversary of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes. Many survivors and their pets call the temporary housing communities home, with no idea when they will be able to leave.

Peace Winds has built strong support activities within these temporary housing communities by hosting events and activities for residents. Peace Winds continues to build a sense of community between neighbors by providing activities and resources to residents, including training local township leaders to assist with concerns and problems.

For the township leaders at temporary housing complexes, Peace Winds organized a trip to Niigata Prefecture, where devastating earthquakes and disasters destroyed infrastructure and communities in 2004 and 2007. The leaders visited public developments, housing complexes, community centers, and disaster museums. This January study trip enabled township leaders to see the effective support programs other communities implemented for their residents following disaster, and to practice these techniques in their own temporary housing communities.

Peace Winds continues to support residents with pets. Peace Winds provides pet-friendly housing and shelters, allowing residents to keep their pets. Peace Winds has used recent funding to expand and improve the pet shelters, and to arrange frequent visits between owners and their pets. Through your support, Peace Winds has also hired additional staff and veterinarians to ensure the animals receive the attention and care they need.

Peace Winds--through building community, providing opportunities for engagement, training township leaders, and supporting pet owners--is aiding the Kumamoto survivors in their recovery.

We are only $3,771 dollars short of our goal; will you help us reach our goal and support the residents and pets in Kumamoto?

Our sincerest gratitude -- arigatou gozaimashita!

The earthquakes struck Kumamoto in April 2016.  Yet over 1,500 households are still living in temporary housing communities.  It is uncertain when families can leave their temporary homes, which causes undue stress and burden. This uncertainty can lead to isolation and withdrawal, especially for the elderly. 

Working with local Township Leaders, local NGOs, and volunteers, Peace Winds is providing a variety of community building and engagement activities at 18 community centers throughout the housing complexes. These events are a powerful tool in helping build communities and encouraging neighbors to care for one another. Using your generous donations, PWA has continued to help these housing communities by continuing to provide a variety of activities, including cooking, arts and crafts, massages, seasonal festivals, and mental health workshops to help residents cope with living long-term in temporary housing.

Peace Winds is continuing to provide support to pets and pet owners. Peace Winds provided funds to two pet shelters, supporting expanded facilities, improved living conditions, and increased staff and veterinary care. Peace Winds has facilitated visits between owners and their dogs over the last several months and hopes to continue providing this assistance. 

NOTE: GlobalGiving is currently matching ALL donations to Kumamoto Recovery. YES--dollar for dollar, up to $33,000! Can you help us do more for the leaders, volunteers, and the residents and their pets?      

Our sincerest gratitude -- arigatou gozaimashita!