｜Civic Force（シビックフォース）

2026.09.04 News Latest News Emergency

【Kumamoto Earthquake 2026】 NPO Partner Project Launched to Support Evacuees at Home

One month has passed since the Kumamoto earthquake on July 28, 2026. A major challenge remains in understanding the situation of residents affected by the disaster who are staying at home. This population is not officially included in the evacuation headcount - regardless of support needs - and they are often overlooked for support

Home-based disaster victims are people who, despite being affected by a disaster, do not go to evacuation centers for various reasons and continue to live in their homes or on their properties. While this allows them to stay in a familiar environment and avoid the crowds and infection risks of evacuation centers, it also presents challenges such as difficulty securing essential services like electricity and water, access to information, and difficulty in reaching them with support.

Civic Force is supporting these home-based disaster victims through NPO Partner Projects.

Photo credit: NGO Kyodo Center

NGO Kyodo Center, based in Kobe, is one of the partners in the NPO Partner Projects. The Center was first established in the wake of the 1995 Great Hanshi-Awaji Earthquake. They have a proven track record of developing disaster relief activities throughout Japan based on its own experience.

In response to the recent Kumamoto earthquake, the Center has been working on the ground from the beginning, utilizing our existing connections, visited the homes of those affected who were still in their homes. They helped clean up the scattered debris inside their houses, including broken windows, shards of dishes, and household items, and delivered supplies based on their needs, providing personalized support to each individual.

Photo credit: NGO Kyodo Center

In addition to providing ongoing support to disaster victims who remain at home, the NPO Partner Project will also provide a footbath where community members can gather and relax.

Issues identified through conversations with community members may be shared with government agencies or other support organizations. Since each individual's situation is different, it is crucial to provide careful, personalized support rather than uniform assistance. The primary focus is on providing emergency life-saving support, while simultaneously supporting individuals to live their daily lives effectively, taking their feelings and circumstances into account. This contributes to preventing disaster-related deaths and building a foundation for rebuilding lives.

What are Civic Force's NPO Partner Projects?

The NPO Partner Projects are a unique Civic Force program that was created in the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and has so far partnered with over 100 organizations throughout Japan. It has carried out a wide range of activities, including dispatching experts and volunteers to help people rebuild their lives, providing support to families, people with disabilities, and the elderly who are often overlooked during disasters, reconstruction and community development aimed at revitalizing local areas, and environmental conservation activities,