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Two days after Atami was struck by a deadly mudslide on July 3, Civic Force staff were on the ground conducting needs assessments.

Rescue operations are ongoing in the Izusan area, the site of the mudslide, with 25 people still missing. 130 houses have been damaged and 562 people are staying at two evacuation centers in the city. Izusan is a famous tourist spot and two hotels in the city offered their facilities to be used as evacuation centers. Unlike traditional evacuation centers, this arrangement allows evacuees to have easier access to private rooms and maintain proper COVID-19 prevention measures. However, a long evacuation is anticipated and it is unclear how long the evacuees can stay at the hotels as the summer holiday season approaches. Many evacuees are worried about where they can go next. Unfortunately, the number of evacuees may increase because there are many affected people still residing in their homes.

On July 7, Civic Force delivered 520 hand sanitizers and 3,000 masks to a relief supply center run by the municipality. Those items will be used to reinforce COVID-19 prevention measures (As of July 7, Atami City suspended receiving relief items until further notice).

Civic Force's needs assessment revealed that evacuees are unable to do their laundry and the team is working with stakeholders to coordinate a laundry service. Many evacuees lost their cars but will need transportation to return to their homes to clean up, commute to work and school, and go to medical facilities. Civic Force is continuously gathering information about the need for vehicle assistance and school supplies.

Some areas where the mudslide occurred are experiencing water and gas outages. Civic Force attempted to reach those areas today but many roads were closed and the team was unable to continue the needs assessments. Isolated areas began receiving relief items, however, the team will continue the assessments to ensure their needs are addressed.

In Atami, a disaster volunteer center was established and volunteer registration commenced on July 5. But as rescue operations are ongoing, a start date for the volunteers has not yet been decided. Areas with less damage will be able to accommodate volunteers first. Civic Force will continue providing assistance using its experience and lessons learned from previous volunteer coordination activities.

Civic Force will continue addressing the needs of the survivors, ensuring adequate living conditions at evacuation centers, and supporting disaster-related mortality prevention measures.

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