Experiences and Countermeasures in Regions Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Kazuhiko Abe
JDF Miyagi Support Center
Japanese Federation of Organizations of the Disabled Persons
Sendai City Welfare Association for the Disabled

The Great East Japan Earthquake which struck on March 11, 2011 caused tremendous damage and left more than 18,000 people dead or missing; 59% of this human loss was in Miyagi Prefecture. Under these circumstances, support provided by the Japan Disability Forum (JDF) was assuring for disability organizations in Miyagi Prefecture that sustained immense damage. On March 23, amid significant disruption in lifelines and transportation systems, 17 disability organizations in Miyagi Prefecture participated in the information exchange meeting with JDF’s executive members. At the meeting, participating organizations reported on their disastrous situations and raised varied concerns. The necessity of collaboration among local organizations and the significance of support provided by JDF were also confirmed and a loosely linked network among local groups was formed.

On March 30, the JDF Miyagi Support Center was established in collaboration between support personnel from around Japan and local organizations. At the JDF Miyagi Support Center, around 40 support personnel headed for disaster-stricken areas in Miyagi Prefecture on a daily basis to conduct activities in one-week shifts. The Support Center also conducted studies to confirm damage at facilities for disabled persons and provided support for the recovery. A number of facilities in disaster-affected areas were unable to provide ordinary services, causing significant inconvenience to the lives of users and families. The reconstruction support was therefore imperative.

According to support staff at the JDF Miyagi Support Center, not many disabled persons were seen at general evacuation centers. As there were too many obstacles for disabled persons at general evacuation centers and other issues related to a lack of understanding of disabilities, many of the disabled evacuees had no choice but to leave the centers and return to their severely damaged homes or keep moving from one relative’s house to another. It is therefore hoped that disability-friendly evacuation centers will be established and understanding of disabilities will be further promoted in the future.

Although the JDF Miyagi Support Center was prepared to provide support through activities like removal of sludge and cleaning at inundated houses, procurement and delivery of commodities, welfare equipment, etc. based on requests, it was difficult to receive information on people requiring support. Personal information protection laws acted as a barrier between disabled persons and us and even as hindrance to necessary support activities.

We were, however, able to obtain information to a certain extent on disabled persons who were the users of welfare services by leveraging our relationship with disability facilities. Similarly, we could access some information on disabled persons registered with disability organizations through the secretariat of the respective organizations. Still, we were unable to keep track of information on the many disabled persons who were not users of welfare services nor registered with disability organizations. In addition, we were unable to obtain information on disabled persons from the local government. I strongly believe that further discussion is necessary regarding how to handle the protection of personal information during a disaster.

Based on the loosely linked network, local disability organizations repeated information exchanges with the JDF Miyagi Support Center, on-site headquarters of JDF member organizations, Association for Aid and Relief, Japan, etc. Although 17 local organizations participated in the information exchange sessions at the beginning, the number gradually increased to more than 60. Local disability organizations engaged in various activities. For instance, the organization I belong to started safety confirmation activities in the aftermath of the earthquake while setting up “welfare evacuation centers” for those who with special needs due to disabilities, etc. In addition, we continued to disseminate necessary information to our members directly after the quake, preparing the information in writing, Braille, audio, mailing list versions, etc. Other organizations also conducted activities depending on the types of disabilities. One organization continued to disseminate information on how to obtain oxygen bottles through TV, etc. Another organization continued to dispatch information on how to obtain medicine. Meanwhile, other organizations were engaged in activities to deliver daily necessities and medical supplies directly to their members.

However, activities by local disability organizations had their limits. Although they were able to provide support to their own members, many disabled persons did not actually belong to any disability organization. Activities by the JDF Miyagi Support Center had significant meaning for this group of people. We were able to present a number of requests and suggestions to the government and municipalities based on information collected by local disability organizations and the JDF Miyagi Support Center.

Moreover, it was revealed that the mortality rate of persons with disabilities was more than twice as high as that of the total population. This fact presented a question on the current method of evacuation support for the disabled who are especially vulnerable to disasters.

Living conditions changed significantly as time went on, with many victims now living in prefabricated temporary housing or private rental housing using rent subsidies on a continuous basis. In many cases, persons with disabilities are living in subsidized private rental housing. However, with the hindrance of personal information protection laws, it is difficult to grasp information on where they live, thus there is an increased risk of these people feeling isolated.

This leads to a concern that disabled persons and the elderly could be left out during the processes in which disaster victims gradually regain contact with society. A variety of support options will be necessary for persons with disabilities to maintain their health and join local communities through learning and working. It is hoped that a system will be developed to facilitate disabled persons to live comfortably as members of the local community in barrier-free public housing, allowing them to rejoin the local community regardless of their disability. It is necessary for disability organizations in disaster-stricken areas to promote mutual understanding and collaborate with local communities, etc. in the future and advance activities toward the realization of an inclusive society so that no-one will be left on the sidelines of society. It is desired to promote activities in such a way to avoid disparities among disaster victims and disaster-affected regions.

Although there has been a report saying that the Great East Japan Earthquake has triggered us to become more conscious of the importance of human bonds, unity, mutual support, trust, etc., we should ensure this truly takes root in Japanese society and is not just a temporary trend. In addition, it is also imperative for disability organizations to disseminate messages to increase awareness toward disaster management and disaster reduction against possible disasters in the future while promoting understanding of disabilities and the disabled. I believe that disability organizations have an important role to play for such promotions.