Key Points
- The international medical NGO Japan Heart is providing 24-hour medical and operational support at a disaster shelter in Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
- While many medical teams withdraw shortly after a disaster, Japan Heart maintains a long-term presence to ensure a smooth transition and prevent a sudden drop in support for evacuees.
- The organization focuses on “support professionalism,” addressing diverse needs including health monitoring, mental care, and creating specialized spaces for children and pets.
Full Transcript (English)
Host: How many evacuees are currently staying here?
Guest (Mariko Takahashi, Japan Heart): There are about 60 people now. At the time of the disaster, there were over 120, so the number has decreased by about half. Some have been able to return home thanks to volunteers and family members helping with cleanup. Conversely, some have moved here from other shelters or were newly admitted after being discharged from the hospital. For the past two weeks, the number has fluctuated around 60.
Host: The atmosphere must have been quite different immediately after the disaster when there were 120 people.
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Yes, it was. We were able to set up tents about a week after the disaster. Since this gymnasium isn’t very large, the number of tents we could fit was limited. We had to think carefully about how to ensure privacy while allowing residents to live comfortably. For example, these 2-meter by 2-meter tents can only fit one cardboard bed if you want to keep a walkway. This means for elderly couples, one person might have to sleep on a mat on the floor. We consulted with them on their preferences, sometimes having families of three or more split into different tents. We also prioritized placing those who need extra care near the toilets. Japan Heart has been supporting these management decisions from the beginning.
Host: I see residents are tracking their own health data.
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Yes, we distribute blood pressure logs. Residents bring them here and measure their own blood pressure, temperature, and weight. It’s important for them to do what they would normally do at home. During their stay at the shelter, we use this as an opportunity to remind those who didn’t previously monitor their health about the importance of doing so. It’s a vital part of our support.
Host: Japan Heart stayed for four months during the Noto Peninsula earthquake. How long do you plan to stay this time?
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): It depends on the situation, but many medical teams, such as the Red Cross or D-WAT (Disaster Welfare Assistance Teams), tend to withdraw by the end of September. If everyone leaves at once, the level of support drops abruptly. We want to avoid that. We monitor the situation after other teams leave, consulting with city officials and public health nurses about their workload and the health of the residents before making a decision.
Host: Is this where the staff sleeps?
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Yes, there are five of us currently. We provide 24-hour coverage, staying right here in the shelter. It has been nearly two months now. It’s quite comfortable here in this tatami room. We received mats and supplies from companies like Montbell, which helps us maintain our daily lives while working.
Host: Do most organizations operating shelters over the medium to long term work this way?
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): It depends on the organization, but at this stage, very few medical teams are still running 24-hour shifts while living inside the shelter. Most teams commute from hotels in Kumamoto City or Yatsushiro. Being here 24/7 allows us to see things others might miss.
Host: You started here on July 31st?
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Yes. We suggested that because the risks were high, we should have a permanent presence. The shelter manager’s wife and others welcomed us warmly. For the first month, city officials were running 24-hour shifts, and we joined them. Since September, the YMCA has taken over the city’s role in shelter management, so now Japan Heart and the YMCA work together, consulting with the shelter manager to support the residents.
Host: City officials must have been exhausted.
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Absolutely. They were working 12-hour shifts on rotation while also trying to handle their regular administrative duties. Many of them were disaster victims themselves, dealing with no water or electricity at home. Having an experienced NGO like Japan Heart or the YMCA step in to handle the 24-hour operations is very logical. It allows us to use medical care as a starting point for communication, helping us understand the residents’ life histories, medical backgrounds, and any other troubles they might be facing.
Guest (Hideshi Oku, Yatsushiro City Official): Since the disaster on July 28th, Japan Heart appeared by my side and offered to help. We decided to work together here. They have been through many trials and errors with us, caring for the victims. City staff are on rotation, but we can’t cover everything. Having Japan Heart and D-WAT here has been a huge help. Now that things have settled slightly, the challenge is the future housing for residents. The stress of not knowing where they will live next leads to lack of exercise and other health issues. Japan Heart and the YMCA are helping with that through activities like radio exercises to keep people moving.
Guest (Takashi Kimura, Governor of Kumamoto): Many NPOs and NGOs are participating, but Japan Heart’s contribution has been outstanding. They are deeply committed to shelter management and are very attentive to the diverse needs of the people. They’ve created spaces for people with pets, areas for children, and social spaces with televisions for the elderly. Their experience shows. They stay close to the victims’ needs, and the government is working to follow their lead and support them. We are very grateful for their contribution to this recovery.
Guest (Mayumi Masuda, Nurse): I was originally a hospital nurse but was interested in international cooperation. I joined Japan Heart’s volunteer program in Cambodia in 2018. That’s how I got to know them. My initial motivation for disaster relief was the Kumamoto earthquake ten years ago. Seeing it on the news, I felt I wanted to do more than just watch; I wanted to use my skills as a nurse on the ground. Being here 24/7, you see the emotional wounds that aren’t visible. Providing that kind of care is what makes Japan Heart’s approach unique.
Guest (Mariko Takahashi): Japan Heart serves as a platform for both medical and non-medical volunteers who want to help. We don’t require specialized disaster training or years of ER experience. If someone has the heart to help others in a time of crisis, we provide the team and the setting. We aim to be “professionals of support,” treating people as fellow human beings rather than just “medical professionals and patients.”
