Volunteering for Hiroshima landslide clean-up

As of Sept 1, 72 people have lost their lives and over 800 have lost their homes in the northern suburbs of Hiroshima following landslides two weeks ago. Volunteering to help the clean-up project in the area of Hiroshima officially began on Aug 23. There is an expectation that volunteers will be needed until October of this year.

I went and volunteered the first day and it was a very satisfying, albeit exhausting day of shoveling mud and moving stones to areas where the heavy machinery can pick it all up or to clear roads for local residents. It left quite a powerful impression seeing the state of the landslide area in person and meeting some of the residents. Although volunteering was quite hard work, it's not all back-breaking labor. There is a range of work you can do from holding the bags for people to fill to helping tidy smaller areas to filling bags with smaller rocks in piles.

We arrived early just before sign-ups began at 9 a.m., wrote our names, addresses (volunteering is now limited to Hiroshima residents only), and cell phone numbers. We were then given volunteer insurance and told to wait for instructions.

We were interviewed by a few reporters (in Japanese) while we waited, about where we were from and why we volunteered. The first question I was asked was quite a surprise: "Since today's volunteer activity is limited to Hiroshima only, why are you volunteering today?" My answer was, of course, because I live in Hiroshima, this is my community and I want to help my fellow community members if I can.

It's great to show, by our actions, that members of the international community care. I did mention that it was difficult to get information and am very grateful to the volunteering expertise of Kaz Meiki who told us where to meet and how best to prepare.

Mark Exton, principal of the Hiroshima international school, had initially passed on the invitation and Dr Yas Ikegami joined up as well. I never would have known about this day of volunteering if not for these great people.

"It's not hardcore clean-up right at the frontline, so it never ever felt dangerous...and we hardly saw a hard hat all day," said Exton. "We helped clear a street corner so cars can turn and then spent the rest of the day helping a family clear out the drainage gullies around their house: there is a huge amount of mud everywhere. We were just making the tiniest contribution towards getting people's lives back to some semblance of normality. If this 53-year-old desk jockey can do it, so can most of you."

Once the official day of volunteering started, we were separated into groups of 10 by where we were sitting in order of registration and asked to decide a leader, and sign another form with our names and cell phones. Our leader was told to blow a whistle if there were a warning of landslide, earthquake or bad weather.

The Self-Defense force veteran who volunteered to act as the leader of our group was fantastic. He was great in talking with locals to find specific needed areas to work on, organized our breaks and made sure we were taking turns at the shovels and not killing ourselves.

After this group briefing, we were told to take shovels ("scoop" in Japanese) for our group (1 for each 2-3 people) and other necessary tools, free drinks, free head towels, free use of a supply of rubber boots and other services while we waited for the next staff member to lead us to our target area for the day. Once we started walking up to our target area (about a 5-10-minute walk), our leader was given a specific map of our assigned area. As we entered the Yagi area, it was busy with heavy machinery and littered with piles of rocks and mud everywhere. The further uphill you go, the more severe the devastation.

It struck me that this was like my own neighborhood, heck like any neighborhood I have ever seen in Japan built on a hillside - this could be any of us. The family we were asked to work with were next to a big ugly old apartment block that despite being a neglected, vacant eyesore for the past 10 years, was likely what sheltered this house and many others in the neighborhood.

I saw some families returning to the area sobbing as they saw the damage to their neighborhood. I also saw a lot of local residents out working hard as they likely have been doing without a break since it happened. I met some local kids and told them I was glad to see they were alright, but know they must be sad about their neighborhood and worried about their future there. Our group was joined by some unofficial volunteers who had sidestepped the volunteer registration. No one seemed to mind, but it's probably safer to be officially registered and covered by insurance in case there is any danger.

Everyone was really friendly and we fell into a good work routine together. In our group was an elementary school teacher, a junior high school teacher and three of her students, Mazda businessmen, a Self-Defense Force veteran, a housewife, a construction worker, a school principal, an ultra-marathon runner, a university teacher and a doctor. During the breaks, I learned about their lives, hobbies and we laughed about foods we like and dislike - hard work makes you hungry. We were provided with some "monkey banana" cakes, sport drinks and water while we worked.

We worked from around 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with breaks for drinks and snacks (provided) and lunch (bring your own). As we carpooled, I parked at the DIY center Yoshimura Joy, but we had reports that the car park was filled with volunteers cars by 10 a.m. and regular customers couldn't get in, so parking is an issue. As far as necessary gear, I saw some volunteers in shorts and crocs, but it's probably better to be properly outfitted if you want to work comfortably. There didn't seem to be sharp or dangerous things in what we cleared, but the more severely damaged areas would have different debris. Dust was also not an issue on the day I volunteered, but after a few dry days, goggles and a mask will likely be necessary. You can buy all of this gear at Yoshimura Joy.

If you're going, it is best to get there by public transportation. There is a train to Bairin station on the Kabe line which is nearest. There are also buses to Yagi that pass right in front of the volunteer center.

As we posted news that we were volunteering, many friends and family sent us messages of concern and caution and the volunteer center took any slight rain or warning of movement in the hills seriously - they don't want any more residents, rescuers or volunteers to lose their lives in this disaster. If you have some Japanese and it looks cloudy or is raining lightly, call ahead to the volunteer center below to ask if they will be going ahead that day. However, since registration starts at 9 a.m. and they close registration once they reach the daily quota of volunteers, if the weather looks clear, I'd recommend getting to the registration by 8:30 to make sure you are allowed to volunteer. There is still so much to be done.

Essentials:

-- lunch -- water bottle (some water is provided, but it's not enough for the whole day) -- change of clothes (especially if you are going home by public transport) and slippers or change of footwear (plastic bags for your dirty clothes and shoes good idea too) -- hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, head/neck towel

Good to have:

-- long (waterproof) pants, long sleeves -- rubber (waterproof) gloves -- sturdy work boots -- goggles and a mask (it can get dusty on dry days) -- your own tools, particularly a shovel

Volunteer Contact Details

Asa-Minami-ku Volunteer Center location moved to Nakasu, Asa-minami, Hiroshima. The name of the volunteer center is "Sogo Fukushi Senta" in Japanese. https://goo.gl/maps/YGMVm Volunteer Information Center. Tel: 080-2931-3142 and 080-2931-3242 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Asa-Kita-ku Volunteer Center Assembly at Asa-Kita-ku Social Welfare Center 3-19-22 Kabe, Asa-Kita-ku. Tel: 080-2931-4242 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get the latest news on the volunteer and landslide situation on GetHiroshima.com

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