Quake evacuees line up for rations
MASHIKI —
Hundreds of people lined up for rations at shelters before nightfall Saturday, bracing for rainfall and strong winds that may set off more devastating mudslides in Japan’s earthquake-struck southern region.
Local stores quickly ran out of stock and shuttered their doors Saturday, and people said they were worried about running out of food.
Ayuko Sakamoto, who was among those in line for the food, said: “I could hear the noise of all my dishes come crashing down, the rattling, and I was shocked and sad, now I’ve lost all my dishes.”
Elsewhere on the southwestern island of Kyushu, the military also cooked rice and soup outdoors for those who had evacuated or were not able to cook in their homes.
Back-to-back deadly earthquakes on successive nights near the city of Kumamoto toppled buildings, triggered landslides and killed at least 32 people.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Order by Time Order by Popularity
18 Comments
Login to comment
6
Ellamae Cerico Klit
While we eat our decent meal, and sleep in the comfort of our homes tonight, let us pray for the people of Kyushu esp Kumamoto. May they overcome these difficulties real quick!
6
Kuribo1
FEMA could learn from Japan, no where have I seen the efficiency and organization of rescue and aid efforts like that of Japan. Very proud of all those who volunteer and help those who lost so very much.
5
igloobuyer
I bet those rations are tasty being Japan. If there's one thing Japan can get right, it's feeding well.
6
FizzBit
Many complain of the bureaucracy here, even me sometimes. But when it comes to situations like this, they really show their worth. Congratulations Japan on a great job helping the victims.
2
M3M3M3
Watching people line up for food is heartbreaking. It's a shame that Lawson and 7/11 don't seem to have any emergency action plan for disasters like this. They probably have a better and more efficient logistics and distribution network than the SDF. They eventually deployed a tiny mobile convenience store in Tohoku but why not have a few busses converted into stores that could be on the scene within a few hours of any disaster? It might involve a bit of danger but at the very least it would be great PR for these companies.
1
itsonlyrocknroll
Is there a government site we can that we can donate to that will relieve the necessity of rationing.
2
goldorak
Solidarity and benevolence, Japan at its very best. Plus the risk of looting is very, very minimal in such country (unlike many others, boom).
Am full of admiration for all people involved really. Stay strong Kyushu!
0
itsonlyrocknroll
Sorry about grammar totally lost the plot, the news is heart wrenching. If there is a means that will share or relieve the burden through a contribution of solidarity, money, food, clothes, whatever it takes.
1
Heda_Madness
They probably have a better and more efficient logistics and distribution network than the SDF.
In Tohoku the SDF were camped in Yamato/takyubins offices. The general location for aid deliveries were in these locations. They are very aware of the distribution networks and who has the best ones....slightly naiive to think otherwise.
4
smithinjapan
I'd be willing to take someone on if they are fleeing the area and need a place far enough away. Also, anyone know if post-offices will be accepting food donations to send (free of charge) to affected areas, as well as clothes and other supplies? I have heaps of stuff I can send (food-wise, anyway).
3
Heda_Madness
So fat thr requests have been for food, water, nappies etc... no requests for clothes but that may change..it's different to Tohoku because of scale but also because houses havent been washed away so therefore a high percentage of those who have had to leave their houses may be allowed back to collect items (supposition )
I read somewhere (and can't find it that certain companies are not accepting deliveries to the region at this time because of problems with infrastructure etc) however there are a couple of direct npos that have already sprung up and seem to be legitimate
5
Educator60
I saw a TV news report that mentioned the factory that supplied one convenience store chain with sandwiches and rice balls and such was damaged in the Friday night earthquake and at least some of the stores were without electricity. So they were limited in what they could supply to customers. People were picking through the bottled and canned drinks that had fallen on the floor to find the undamaged ones.
Saw one supermarket that was giving away bottled water, saying they were indebted to the local people for their daily patronage.
It's easy to say from a distance that the government and the stores should do this or that but the possibilities are limited by the details of each specific situation and location. It takes some time to grasp the situation and get things organized. There are reasons why the government recommends people to have enough emergency food to last for several days.
3
Himajin
The request for nappies etc was not official. It started on Twitter and then went to a lot of Mom blogs. There has been no official request for supplies,.
One of the government officials has posted on Twitter to please not send things now, as they are buried in rubble and have nowhere to put things, can't take the time to sort and distribute things. The things they get from the SDF is all packed by category, boxes that come in at random all have to be opened, catalogued, sorted...it's just too much at this point.
Kuroneko, Sagawa, and Japan Post's deliveries are all suspended. Kuroneko put up a page today saying that they have put a temporary stop on even accepting parcels for the area. They have nowhere to store them until delivery resumes. Monetary donations are the most helpful at this point.
The Red Cross, Global Giving and an official disaster fund are accepting donations-
"Official Kumamoto Prefecture Disaster Fund: http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileOutput.ashx… Send a bank transfer to Kumamoto Bank Kencho Branch Normal account 3012170 Kumamoto Jishin Gienkin Kumamoto-ken Chiji Kabashima Ikuo"
1
smithinjapan
Heda_Madness: "I read somewhere (and can't find it that certain companies are not accepting deliveries to the region at this time because of problems with infrastructure etc) however there are a couple of direct npos that have already sprung up and seem to be legitimate"
Thanks, Heda. Can't see this being on the same scale as The 2011 disasters given that it's warmer, and as you said the houses in this case have not been washed away and what not, and with access being easier, but still hope that they can get what they need quickly, and would still like to send if I can.
1
Heda_Madness
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/notification/productinformation/2016/041502en.html
Keep following the news as the situation will change....
This page as continual updates on the situation in English
https://m.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/
Food/water/ baby stuff/toothbrushes are in short supply now. In a couple of days it'll be condiments to make the food nicer and then it will be stuff to relieve boredom etc
If you want to donate cash to help the people now (not in a months time) look at the smaller groups that are on the ground not your larger NPOs
2
sf2k
All our hopes for a swift recovery.
In future this might be a good use case example of using supply drones when roads and infrastructure are down.
0
shonanbb
I have organized a large pottery sale to make money to send. Sure wish AC Japan would stop with the obnoxious commercials though. Reminds me of 5 years ago.
0
Himajin
Kuroneko started limited service to Miyazaki Prefecture today, to Nishiusuki-gun, Shiibason, Higashiusuki-gun and Shiibason 西臼杵郡全域、東臼杵郡 椎葉村.
Back to top