Photo credits:
PWJ, The Mainichi Newspapers,
Japan International Cooperation Agency

Special appreciation to volunteer translators:
Noriko Inaba, Natsuko Tokai, Mike Nix

Niigata

Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake - Emergency Relief
In providing emergency relief for the victims of the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) made full use of the expertise that it has developed in overseas operations that faced problems with security and the movement of supplies. This was the PWJ's first emergency relief operation in Japan.

The PWJ relief team, which is used to operating in areas of conflict and disaster without secure telecommunications and electricity infrastructure, headed for the devastated area, with satellite telephones and power generators, on the evening of the earthquake. The staff remaining in Tokyo collected information concerning sinking and closed roads from the Internet and television reports, and communicated with the staff in transit via satellite telephones, to guide them to the disaster site.

From October 24, the day after the earthquake, PWJ established four sets ofe balloon sheltersf- large inflatable tents for emergency relief- in supermarket parking lots in Ojiya City. The balloon shelters were set up using compressed air, so evacuees could lie down and sleep without fear of the shelter collapsing. They were well received among disaster victims who expressed anxieties such as, g I'm scared to stay indoorsh, and, g I am worried about developing economy-class syndrome if I sleep in the carh. A maximum of 450 people took advantage of these shelters. PWJ cooperated with a major distribution company that runs supermarkets to operate these evacuation areas and prepared hot meals using foodstuffs donated by the company. PWJ carried out registration of those using the shelters, making use of its experience in refugee camp operations, and endeavored to clarify victims' family structures and the problems they faced. Also, representatives were elected from among the evacuees and meetings of the representatives were held to exchange information.

PWJ established an ginformation bulletin boardh, and conducted medical consultations by medical staff. It also sent an engineer with first-class architectural qualifications to participate in temporary risk evaluation work for houses in the disaster area, in response to a call by the Niigata Society of Architects and Building Engineers. The number of evacuees declined, following the lessening of aftershocks and the restoration of vital services such as water, electricity and gas, and PWJ withdrew all the shelters, and wrapped up its local support operations by November 10.

Domestic Disaster Relief Team on Alert when Earthquake News Breaks
PWJ's creation of a framework for domestic disaster relief started with the establishment of the Domestic Disaster Task Force in 2003. Through relief operations carried out for the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake in October 2004, PWJ finalized the idea of forming a team for domestic disaster relief. While preparing for a potential earthquake in the Tokai region, it has reaffirmed
the principle of collecting and analyzing information immediately when an earthquake with the degree of upper five or higher on the Japanese earthquake scale occurs in Japan. PWJ will then launch a relief operation if necessary.