Needs in Kumamoto

「音楽や文化の力、いまこそ大事です。

音楽家は音楽一番、
とことん音楽やってください。 

自分の一番をやりましょう。」

〜熊本在住男性のフェイスブックより〜

"The power of music and culture has never been more important.
Musicians are best in playing music, so be musicians.
Give that which you most have to give!"

〜Facebook post by Kumamoto resident

Empty 7/11 next to Harvest Church in downtown Kumamoto. Only alcohol and cigarettes are left.

What are the needs in Kumamoto? Supermarkets are empty, and water is not running. The Japanese self-defense force and non-profit organizations are doing a good job of keeping shelters supplied with both in Kumamoto City. Atsushi Kabeya, Grace Harbor Church staff who traveled with us from Tokyo, spent a day searching outside the city, bringing supplies to surrounding rural areas, and afterward reporting on those needs to the base camp at Harvest Church. He built connections with shelters near Mt. Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan, which had a small eruption after the earthquake. (Will constant aftershocks bring a more serious eruption?) We have been asked to give concerts at two of those shelters as soon as possible.

Around 184,000 people reside in evacuation shelters and many more sleep in their cars, but this number will decrease significantly when aftershocks abate, water is restored, and food returns to the shelves. It is currently thought 7,500 people will be displaced long-term, living in temporary housing for years until their homes are rebuilt. Biggest needs now are to clean up rubble and relieve fears in the midst of constant aftershocks. Long-term are yet to be determined, but for now music can help. "The power of music...has never been more important. Musicians...give that which you most have to give!"

Houses in Kumamoto (Taro Karibe/GETTY)