In Suzu, Japan, a month after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit the west coast of Japan, volunteers from the non-profit organization Katariba are spending time with children in a Suzu city school classroom. They engage in activities such as playing cards, other games, and reading together, in order to provide the children with a comforting and safe space.
Some of the children are still living in evacuation centers, where it’s challenging to find opportunities for play. For others, their parents are preoccupied with the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and lives after the earthquake. This is why it’s crucial to offer children a supportive and relaxing environment, explains Katariba member, Yoshiki Itashiki.
For Kanako Yasukawa, the support provided by Katariba has been invaluable, as schools in Suzu are still operating on a shortened day basis and she has work commitments. The service has made it easier for her daughter, who was temporarily evacuated to a different city, to return and live with her. She expresses, “I couldn’t have made the decision to have my daughter live here with me unless we had this.”
In Ishikawa, where Suzu city is situated, over 13,600 people are still residing in evacuation centers. This conveys the extent of the impact and hardship caused by the earthquake in the region.
(Reporting by Sakura Murakami and Tom Bateman; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
