On October 12, a large and powerful Typhoon No.19 (Hagibis) made landfall in east Japan. A series of flooding and landslides brought by record levels of heavy rain caused enormous damage across the region. The typhoon caused 88 deaths in 13 prefectures and seven missing persons. According to the prefectural governments, 3,372 people are still unable to return to their homes (as of November 2, 2019).

In response to the damage caused by the disaster, A-PAD Japan sent the Airborne Rescue and Medical Team to the affected areas in Nagano and provided emergency assistance activities.

On the morning of October 13, two doctors from Saga University Hospital and an A-PAD Japan staff member departed from Saga Airport and joined the joint emergency assistance team (PWJ, Civic Force, A-PAD Japan).

In the afternoon of October 13, the team assisted patient transfer operations for 38 patients from the Nagano Prefecture Rehabilitation Center which was experiencing a power outage due to the flooded Chikuma River. The team also provided medical consultations at two evacuation centers and prescribed medications as needed.

Starting October 14, upon receiving a request from the Nagano Prefectural Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), A-PAD Japan assisted patient transfers from the flooded Sanikukai Clinic in coordination with the Self Defense Force. In the afternoon of October 15, the two doctors from the Saga University Hospital returned to Saga and met with Governor Yamaguchi to discuss the assistance activities. The joint emergency assistance team assisted patient transfer operations for 238 patients at the Sanikukai Clinic.

Simultaneously, A-PAD Japan procured and distributed emergency relief items to evacuation centers in Nagano, Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. On October 16, A-PAD Japan delivered 850 portable water containers in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. By October 31, in collaboration with the Social Emergency Management Alliance (SEMA), A-PAD Japan provided 600 winter clothing, 5,712 underwear, and 1,200 pairs of socks to 10 evacuation centers in Nagano and Fukushima. To assist clean-up efforts, 300 pairs of working gloves, 200 masks, 500 garbage bags, 800 pairs of rubber gloves, floor wax, and mops were donated to an elementary school in Nagano and the disaster volunteer center in Obuse Town.

As of October 31, A-PAD Japan also leased the following equipment to disaster assistance organizations: 2 vehicles, 21 pressure washers, 1 generator, 3 fans, 3 whiteboards, 2 buckets, and 38 lanterns.

We would like to send our sincere gratitude for your support and pray for early recovery and restoration in the disaster affected areas.