AMDA has been continuing to provide medical treatment in Otsuchi (Iwate Prefecture), where they report that the common ailments are chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, colds, hay fever, gastroenteritis, tetanus, and so on. Partition walls have recently been provided to give those in evacuation centers some privacy. In addition, gym equipment has been installed at the evacuation centers to encourage exercise and in particular to keep the elderly from becoming bedridden.
In Minamisanriku (Miyagi Prefecture), AMDA reported that two electric generators were delivered to an evacuation center that still did not have electricity. In particular, they wanted to provide electricity in the room where patients suffering from norovirus are being treated. AMDA’s psychiatrist and nurse team in Minamisanriku reported that there are also several evacuees suffering from panic disorder and that continuous mental care is needed. Also, on April 8, AMDA sent a renowned Japanese singer, Takeshi Kitayama to the evacuation center to entertain the evacuees and help relieve their fatigue and stress.
Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) has been carrying out aid work in Timor-Leste since 1999. This past week, PWJ’s fair trade program staff traveled to Tohoku to deliver warm messages of encouragement from the people of Timor-Leste along with 2,000 cups worth of fair trade coffee produced in that country. On April 8–9, the staff served the coffee to evacuees in shelters in Minamisanriku. Amid the stress of ongoing aftershocks, those in the shelter truly appreciated the taste of this first cup of coffee in a month and noted that the smell alone made them feel more relaxed.