Kumanichi led with an article titled “Aid Mismatch” which pointed out a few challenges aid centers face:
- Volunteers who arrive without appropriate tools to conduct needed work;
- Lack of long-term volunteers (over a month);
- Poor infrastructure state, with roads crowded and housing lacking;
- Lack of information regarding needs in the still-unfolding disaster.
The article also noted a call for volunteers from the Kumamoto City Fukushi (Welfare) Center for work concentrated at helping elderly clean their houses. This type of volunteer activity would obviate the above concerns, but due to its personal nature, basic proficiency in spoken Japanese is required. The Center’s Website (Japanese only) is below. Those in need of more info may PM us. - William http://www.kumamoto-city-csw.or.jp/
