【Iwate Wildfire】 Lack of Manpower - Evacuation Center Management
On March 10, 2025, Ofunato City announced that the evacuation order had been lifted for 979 households and 2,424 people in Ayasato, Sanriku Town, and the evacuation order had been lifted in all other areas of the city. As of March 11, a total of 65 people were in evacuation centers, and 141 people were staying at the homes of relatives and acquaintances. Six evacuation centers, excluding the welfare evacuation center, will be consolidated into two locations in the city. The city plans to hold information sessions regarding temporary housing, support for rebuilding livelihoods, and the disposal of disaster waste.

On March 11, Civic Force staff helped transport relief supplies such as washer-dryers, food, and beverages that had been installed in the old evacuation shelter to the newly opened Sanriku B&G Marine Center in Ayasato. They also delivered fruit juice to the center, delivered in cooperation with SEMA, an emergency disaster response alliance.
In response to concerns that there were not enough people to help with the evacuation, Civic Force folded up tents and put away cardboard beds at evacuation centers, and helped consolidate the centers in cooperation with city staff and other organizations.

On the same day, Ofunato marked the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At 2:46pm, the time the earthquake occurred, sirens rang out throughout the city and all workers stopped to offer a moment of silence. Whether they lost their homes in the fire or returned home, many people thought back to the events that had happened 14 years ago.

This is the first time Civic Force is working in areas affected by wildfires. Civic Force plans to deliver needed support and services by investigating areas where houses have been damaged and to check the needs of newly opened evacuation centers.
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