On January 1, 2024, while celebrating the New Year, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck off the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. The earthquake, accompanied by tsunamis and fires, resulted in significant casualties and destruction. As of May 21, a total of 245 people had lost their lives, with 3 persons reported missing, 1,313 are injured, and 8,571 houses have been completely destroyed. Including partially destroyed houses, the total reached 123,556. The famous "Wajima Morning Market" was completely destroyed by fire. Six months later, 3,598 evacuees still need assistance, and many homes remain without electricity or water.
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From March 24 to March 30, we organized a volunteer camp in Nanao City, one of the most affected areas. The camp welcomed working adults, young adults, and family units, resulting in 12 participants, including two families. Each day, around 100 volunteers from different groups gathered, forming teams to tackle various tasks. These tasks included debris removal, assisting with moving into temporary housing, cleaning homes, and sorting disaster waste.
Family volunteering is not common in Japan, but its significance was evident in Nanao City. Many families participated, including mothers, fathers, and children, working together vibrantly and beautifully.
One participant, who brought his son, shared, "I was in the group with my son, and seeing him move without complaint gave me a chance to reevaluate him. It was good to be able to spend time with the family during travel time and all, so we were able to talk about many different things. I think the overnight stay in the tent was also a valuable experience for the children."
Lodging was in tents on a cracked baseball field. Despite the cold nights and harsh weather, volunteers embraced the experience as part of their mission.
Women played a crucial role among the predominantly male volunteers. Their ability to connect with survivors, listen to their stories, and support them was invaluable. One female volunteer noted, "I felt that women may be better suited to grasping needs, facilitating smooth communication, and making sure the whole thing runs smoothly. Strong male volunteers are essential for disaster recovery. I felt that the role of female volunteers is also important so that men can exert 120% of their strength, and I think this may be the same in the home as well."
Leadership roles often fell to women, enhancing team communication and efficiency. Volunteers, aged 10 to 40, shared their insights expressing gratitude for the opportunity to volunteer.
“I felt that it was very meaningful to experience volunteering once, and it made me want to do it more. I was shocked to see the damage caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, but now I have a strong hope for the recovery and am grateful for the everyday things I take for granted," one said.
“I felt that my volunteer work in Nanao City was a very valuable experience, and I would like to continue to participate in various volunteer activities in the future,” expressed another person.
This volunteer camp not only provided essential aid but also fostered a sense of community, resilience, and hope among participants and survivors alike.
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