No.56 Support for the Disaster Areas of the Kumamoto Earthquake

On April 14, 2016, at 9:26 PM, a foreshock with a magnitude of 6.5 and an intensity of 7 was recorded in Mashiki Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. Following this, the main shock occurred on the 16th at 1:25 AM, with a magnitude of 7.3 and an intensity of 7 recorded in Mashiki Town and Nishihara Village. This unprecedented major earthquake, which recorded two intensity 7 events in just two days, caused significant damage to the Kumamoto region.
Immediately after the disaster, the city prepared for the dispatch of the Emergency Fire Response Team, gathered information, and held the first disaster information liaison meeting the following morning to share information within the office. Due to the remote location of this disaster, there were no requests for the dispatch of the Emergency Fire Response Team or DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team), but it was decided to transport disaster relief supplies, conduct fundraising activities for donations, and send necessary personnel.

Regarding the transportation of relief supplies, we had to hold off due to transportation disruptions on railways and roads immediately after the disaster, making land transport difficult. However, on the 19th, we arranged for truck deliveries and sent relief supplies to Kumamoto City and Uto City in Kumamoto Prefecture. On the 21st, we were able to arrange for railway containers and sent relief supplies to Beppu City in Oita Prefecture. Subsequently, on the 24th, we sent relief supplies again to Uto City, and city staff volunteers conducted fundraising activities for disaster relief at various stations in the city. Additionally, we dispatched city staff to the site for necessary tasks such as "Emergency Risk Assessment of Damaged Buildings," "Issuance of Disaster Certificates," and "Disaster Support Nurses."
The recipients of the transported supplies are all member cities of the National Association of Young Mayors, of which I am an alumnus. At one point, we received information that the acceptance of relief supplies in the disaster area would be suspended, but this was not due to sufficient supplies being distributed; rather, it was because the local acceptance and sorting system was inadequate, leading to shortages in some areas. The fact that we were able to contact these cities, confirm their needs, and send necessary items is due to the cooperation between municipalities that have established direct support systems.
After a certain period has passed since the disaster, I believe it will be necessary to consolidate information and unify support windows by the national and prefectural governments. However, during the chaotic period immediately after the disaster, having a direct support system between municipalities is crucial for smooth interactions. The damage from the Kumamoto earthquake is expected to require a long recovery period, similar to the Great East Japan Earthquake, so Inagi City will continue to provide necessary support in the future.
It is said that disasters come when we least expect them, but I feel that recently we often suffer from the next natural disaster while the memory of the previous one is still fresh. I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone to reconfirm their preparations at home for potential disasters such as a major earthquake directly beneath the capital.

(Inagi Newsletter July 15, 2016 issue)