Kumamoto Earthquake Relief: Wakayama and Kyoto Dispatch Health Teams

Wakayama City sent two teams of eight public‑health nurses and administrative coordinators to the Kumamoto earthquake‑affected area of Ueki (Uto, Uki and Misato). The first deployment ran from July 7‑12 and the second from July 17‑22, with staff conducting household health interviews, offering advice and linking victims to needed services.

Kyoto City announced a broader assistance package, including the dispatch of disaster‑support nurses, DMAT medical teams, health‑care workers, emergency‑housing units, water‑truck crews and volunteers. Deployments began in early August and are scheduled to continue through mid‑August, covering shelters in Kumamoto City and surrounding towns. The city also opened 20 municipal housing units for displaced residents and set up donation collection points.

Both municipalities are acting on requests from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, aiming to address health, shelter and basic‑needs challenges for the earthquake‑stricken population.