2020 Kyushu Flood Response

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At the beginning of July, continuous rainfall hit several parts of southern Japan, particularly in Kyushu, causing flooding and extreme damage.  For details on our related campaign for China, see our 2020 China Flood Response page.

Situation Report

Last updated: July 12, 2020

Heavy rains have severely affected Kyushu in southern Japan. A total of 68 deaths and 12 missing, there are currently 11,000 affected homes, and close to 3,000 evacuees.

Disaster Volunteer Centers have been established and are accepting local volunteers since concerns over Covid-19 prevent those farther away from traveling. Depending on relief work, there may be more evacuation shelters set up, and more assistance required when community needs are more apparent.

Kyushu

• Kumamoto Prefecture (most severely affected prefecture): 62 deaths; 5 missing; 70+ homes destroyed; 6,000+ homes flooded; 2,500 evacuees
• Fukuoka Prefecture: 2 deaths; 4,500+ homes flooded; 50 evacuees
• Oita Prefecture: 1 death; 5 missing; 300+ homes flooded; 200 evacuees
• Kagoshimaa Prefecture: 1 missing; 400+ homes flooded
• Saga Prefecture: 100+ homes flooded; 20 evacuees
• Nagasaki Prefecture: 1 death; 70+ homes flooded; 50 evacuees
• Kagoshima Prefecture: 1 missing; 400+ homes flooded
• Miyazaki Prefecture: 20 evacuees

Other Areas

• Ehime Prefecture: 1 death; 60+ homes flooded; 20 evacuees
• Gifu Prefecture: 88 evacuees
• Shizuoka Prefecture: 1 death

Since Japan is right in the middle of its rainy season, the country may see more extensive damage depending on the amount of rain in the coming weeks.

Immediate Needs

Current needs identified by our local nonprofit partners include:

• Food, water and emergency shelter for displaced residents
• Supporting Shelter management
• Recruitment, deployment and capacity building for local volunteers
• Provision of hygiene and sanitation kits
• Medium and longer term’s recovery work such as: livelihood recovery, rehabilitation of damaged houses and public facilities, psychosocial supports to floods affected communities

Our Local Partners

Peace Winds Japan: their relief troop, ARROWS (rescue & recovery team including pilots and rescue dogs, plus medical relief team of nurses and doctors) is currently engaged in search-and rescue operations, provision of medical assistance, evacuation center management assistance, and relief item distribution.

Peace Boat Disaster Relief is in close contact with the local authorities, support organizations and networks in discussing and planning their response. They are considering operational support provision at evacuation shelters, with provision of COVID-19 prevention measures, and distribution of relief items. Flood response appeal: https://pbv.or.jp/en/news/call-for-donations-kyushu2020/

YMCAs of Japan: Kumamoto YMCA is taking the lead in the emergency response. Immediate response includes recruiting and sending local volunteers (due to Covid-19 travel restriction) to flooded communities for clean-up, and offering assistance in evacuation shelter operations. Kumamoto YMCA will also do psychosocial refreshment camps for the children affected and offer scholarships for high school students affected who would like to attend the YMCA vocational/professional schools upon graduation.

Photo credit: Geospatial Information Authority of Japan