'Everyone is having a hard time': Kumamoto quake evacuees face ongoing struggle

One month has passed since a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on July 28, registering a maximum 7 on the country's seismic intensity scale. Evacuation centers remain crucial for the affected residents, who are still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. The Mainichi Shimbun reporter ventured to the Ogawa disaster prevention base center in Uki, Kumamoto Prefecture, to observe the ongoing challenges faced by the evacuees.

Despite the oppressive heat, the air conditioning inside the center provided a welcome respite. The majority of the shelter's residents were elderly individuals, their reactions to the situation ranging from gratitude to helplessness. Yaeko Fujii, a 76-year-old evacuee, expressed her exhaustion, lamenting that the lessons learned from previous earthquakes had not been applied.

The lack of basic amenities, such as temporary beds and partitions, left many evacuees to make do with cardboard and aluminum sheets spread across the floor.

At another nearby shelter, concerns arose regarding the potential spread of a coronavirus infection. However, it appeared that appropriate measures were not taken to prevent the virus from spreading. Among the residents, some exhibited signs of dementia, wandering aimlessly and neglecting personal hygiene. Another evacuee, suffering from heatstroke, was hospitalized, highlighting the risks posed by inadequate water supplies.

The living conditions in the evacuation centers were far from ideal. Sae Fukuda, an 85-year-old evacuee, resorted to limiting her water intake to avoid inconveniencing others, leading to severe health consequences. Her brother, Yutaka, expressed his frustration over the difficulties faced by wheelchair-bound evacuees due to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.

Despite the hardships, the evacuees remained supportive and understanding of one another's situations, recognizing the immense strain placed on the officials responsible for managing the evacuation centers. The reporter concluded that there was a pressing need for a system to collect feedback and implement improvements, as the current situation overwhelmed the officials tasked with setting up and maintaining the evacuation centers.