The Konkokyo Osaka Disaster Relief Team is supported by Konkokyo Osaka Center and voluntary members. The Team has so far sent 4-6 member rescue parties on five missions.

The main purpose of this activity is to distribute aid supplies to isolated settlements in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures. There was little damage to a house on the hill where the tsunami did not reach, even though in the same area low-lying settlements suffered crushing damage by a tsunami either. The inhabitants of hill villages have managed to stay in their houses whilst other residents have to live as a victims in refuge centres. The lifeline to the hill residents has not yet been restored, and they are isolated and increasingly lonely while they cannot reach support. The activities of the team are to locate these villages, deliver supplies and listen to the resident’s stories.

Rev. Kazuma Wada, who participated in the party, said, “I could not imagine the pain of the victims, even though I saw it on TV. After all I may not understand it unless I come to the field and meet these victims in person. Our activity is extremely small, but I still felt it was an important activity that reaches areas where large volunteer parties cannot.”