Emergency Response to Noto Peninsula Earthquake

In the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, many foreign residents are isolated and anxious because they cannot receive necessary support. On January 13, AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) delivered food and fuel to Indonesian technical interns engaged in fishing in Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture.

In Ishikawa Prefecture, foreigners are engaged in bottom trawling for crabs and shrimps. Most of them are young people from Indonesia. AAR dispatched an emergency support team immediately after the earthquake, and in the process of carrying out support activities, realized that there were many foreign residents who were reluctant to ask for help due to language barriers, did not stay at evacuation centers, and did not receive sufficient support.

When we interviewed 28 Indonesian technical intern trainees (all men in their 20s) living in a dormitory near Ogi fishing port in Noto Town, they told us that they were unable to obtain fresh vegetables, rice and other foodstuffs, toilet paper, soap and shampoo. The AAR team therefore procured supplies on the Toyama Prefecture side and delivered them to Noto Town on the 13th. In addition to foodstuffs and hygiene items, underwear, cooler boxes, kerosene, etc. are being provided in turn.

The leader of the group, speaks, "It is very cold here compared to Indonesia. We use kerosene heaters, so we were relieved to receive kerosene. We can't drive our car, and even when we go shopping by bicycle, the food we can buy is limited, and the portions are totally inadequate." When we delivered long-grain Thai rice in addition to spices and curry, he said, “Here! This!” They were very pleased.

According to local officials who are supporting the trainees, they went to an evacuation center in the town immediately after the earthquake, but were unable to communicate with each other and had difficulty eating the emergency food distributed to them, so they were forced to take refuge at home in a dormitory. After that, they were able to receive some relief supplies at the shelter after explaining their situation. Rainwater was collected and used, and electricity was finally restored on January 8, one week after the earthquake.

The trainees are living in the affected areas far from their home countries, somehow supporting each other with fellow trainees, although they complain that "I can no longer go fishing and I don't know what will happen to me," "It is cold unlike Indonesia and I am suffering very much now," and "My family is telling me to come back home as soon as possible.”

In addition to providing food and supplies at evacuation centers, AAR is focusing on supporting disabled people and foreign residents who are in more difficult situations.

We would like to ask for your cooperation in AAR’s emergency support for the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Links:

• AAR English website