Visit to Kesennuma , on 21.05.22 (Sunday)

→Japanese

*** Volunteer center of Kesennuma***

Adresse: Higashi-Sinjo 2-2-1, Kesennuma, 988-0066 Miyagi
 "http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10247"
OPEN: 9.00  – 16.00


* * * Work as volunteers on the island of Oshima * * *
<Situation auf Oshima>
< The situation on Oshima>
Oshima is a small island that is part of Kesennuma.
It has approximately 3200 inhabitants. Therefore, the islanders have a stronger relationship with each other than is found in most other areas.
• As of 5/22, it has been 3 weeks since the ferry has restarted its serve to the mainland.
• Only few volunteers have come to the island.
• Some Non-Profit Organization (NPO) volunteers had come but only for a short time.
• The islanders must provide their own transportation of support goods to the island. Therefore, there are few resources to transport debris off the island.
• If the island were to suddenly get volunteer workers to help out, it might lead to confusion on the island.
• If volunteer workers were to assist the catastrophe victims on the island it is important that they interact with all the people on the island because it is such a close knit community
• While short-term help is important, the island needs more help over a longer time period.
Much of the attention for food-based services is focused on one small area, however these services should be spread to more areas of the island.
• The island inhabitants remember the tsunami that was generated by the earthquake in Chile in 1960. Therefore, the majority of the islanders could get to safety before the gigantic tidal wave caused by recent earthquake.
• On the basis of the low number the inhabitants and their cohesion as a community, the memory of previous tsunamis are still was present with many people.


Translated by Akiko Tada  ／Robert Staehlin  ／ Yuko Sakajiri