Japan Flood and Landslide Response

Status Update: August 8, 2023 

Japan has faced an exceptionally severe monsoon season this year. Starting in early July, Kyushu experienced its heaviest recorded rainfall, causing six fatalities. Concurrently, in Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region, unprecedented rains from July 14 onwards led to one fatality, four injuries, and approximately 32,000 households grappling with flood-related consequences. As of July 25, more than 3,500 households still need access to safe running water. 

Recently, typhoon Khanun struck the southernmost Okinawa, resulting in power outages in over 200,000 buildings and nearly 100 reported injuries. Though Khanun has weakened, its winds remain formidable, reaching up to 144 kph (40 mph). While its initial trajectory was northwest towards China, it shifted over the weekend towards Kyushu and South Korea. Authorities in Japan have issued high alerts to regions in Khanun’s path. Simultaneously, another typhoon, Typhoon Lan, emerged in the Pacific. Anticipated to reach central Japan on Sunday, August 13, 2023, Lan boasts winds of up to 180 kph. 

Heavy rains have also disrupted transportation and infrastructure across the affected areas. Roads and railways have been rendered impassable due to floodwaters and debris flows, leading to potential flight delays and cancellations at airports. Furthermore, disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are expected, particularly in regions where flooding and landslides impact utility networks. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for flood-prone communities and warned residents to stay vigilant, as more landslides are common in mountainous areas after heavy rainfall. 

The situation highlights Japan’s vulnerability to the climate crisis, as the country has been experiencing unusually heavy rain and powerful typhoons in recent years. The ongoing response efforts are focused on securing the safety of residents and mitigating the impact of the floods and landslides on infrastructure and businesses in the affected regions. 

IMMEDIATE NEEDS 

Current needs identified by our local nonprofit partners include: 

• Clean water 
• Basic food and drink 
• Hygiene and sanitation kits 
• Temporary settlements 
• Tools and equipment to clean houses 
• Medium and longer-term recovery work such as livelihood recovery, rehabilitation of damaged houses and public facilities, and psychosocial support to floods-affected communities 
• Continuous disaster preparedness work

CURRENT PROGRAMS & PARTNERS 

Give2Asia will continue to develop partnerships with organizations supporting relief and recovery. During this emergency response phase, Give2Asia is supporting the work of our partners with a range of program priorities, from providing urgent basic needs such as food, clean water, and health services to ensuring access to education for children and economic rehabilitation services. Give2Asia is proud to work with DisasterLink Network partners listed below: 

JVOAD 

JVOAD is assessing the damages and support provision situations in the entire prefecture and coordinating support in coordination with a local intermediate disaster support organization called Disaster Relief Network Fukuoka. Last week, the team also entered Saga Prefecture (west of Fukuoka Prefecture) to assess the situation there and is currently providing logistical support. 

JVOAD is also considering sending staff to Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku Region to coordinate support efforts among nonprofit organizations there while supporting the local intermediate support organizations. 

PBV 

PeaceBoat Disaster Relief (PBV) has started emergency response work since July 11, 2023. The partner is planning to continue relief efforts through October, with the possibility of extension as needed. PBV will target locations around Ukiha City and Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Saga City and Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture; Akita City and Gojome Town, Akita Prefecture.

In the affected areas, people have lost the energy to cook meals due to the intense heat and the need to clean up their houses, and they have been under severe physical and mental stress for a long period of time. PBV will provide physical and mental support by attending to the daily needs of the affected people through the provision of meals and supplies. 

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ): 

PWJ works in North Kyushu Region in Southwest Japan: as ARROWS (Airborne Rescue & Relief Operations With Search; legally part of PWJ), the Partner has been responding to the North Kyushu torrential rain since the beginning of the month, having sent a disaster response team to Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture. So far, ARROWS has delivered equipment (electric carts, water tanks, generators, portable toilets, etc.) and distributed relief supplies (tarps, gloves, flashlights, tents, bottled drinks, shampoo, etc.). Partner is continuing their response there.  

*ARROWS is managed and operated by Peace Winds Japan. Legally, it is one part of PWJ but dedicated to domestic disaster relief, while the larger PWJ has many different programs internationally as well as within Japan. 

HOW TO GIVE

JVOAD, PBV, and PWJ are part of Give2Asia’s prepositioned DisasterLink network. See here for further information.