Earthquake Recovery in Noto, Ishikawa, Japan

On June 30, more than 60 members from various regions in Japan, including Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nagoya, gathered in the Noto area of Ishikawa. It is to help the local residents affected by the devastating earthquake that struck on January 1, measuring 7.6 in magnitude. Immediately following the earthquake, recovery efforts were delayed due to the risk of further collapses, and the government did not grant permission for volunteer involvement. However, on the last weekend of June, when civilian relief efforts were finally permitted, volunteers from the Church of God arrived to lend a helping hand.

The earthquake, which occurred on New Year’s Day, claimed the lives of approximately 300 people in Ishikawa Prefecture, and over 8,000 homes were completely destroyed. An additional 76,000 homes sustained partial damage, requiring significant resources and manpower for recovery.

The members delivered essential supplies in vans to local municipalities and assisted in clearing damaged furniture and belongings from homes that, while not entirely destroyed, were still habitable. The volunteers hoped displaced residents return to normal life as quickly as possible.