Marking three months since the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, the certified NPO Terra Renaissance announced the support it has provided so far and its plans going forward. The organization arrived on site on July 30, two days after the earthquake, and began emergency relief.
In the immediate aftermath, it delivered food, drinks and hygiene supplies directly to people sheltering at home, older people and welfare facilities in Yatsushiro, Hikawa, Uki and other areas. In addition to goods and bases provided by companies and organizations in Japan, financial support and staff dispatched by the Taiwanese NGO MSM made this work possible. From August, the organization brought play equipment to the Yatsushiro Central Community Plaza to help create a place for children, and in September it carried out a field survey to confirm needs such as preventing isolation in temporary housing and removing debris. It has also helped run the "Yatsushiro Dandan Ennichi" festival organized by a local private disaster relief group.
From December 4 to 6, using funds sent by MSM, Terra Renaissance will support the "Christmas Market Kumamoto, Yatsushiro Venue," being held in Yatsushiro for the first time. During the 2024 Hualien earthquake in Taiwan, the organization delivered aid from Japan to Taiwan; this time, support has flowed from Taiwan to Kumamoto, and the organization hopes to turn it into a winter occasion where local people can gather and enjoy themselves. MSM staff are expected to visit Japan for the event, and Terra Renaissance staff, student interns and high school students who chose the organization's peace education program for their inquiry-based learning will also take part and interact with local residents.
Key points
- From two days after the earthquake, supplies were delivered directly to people sheltering at home, older people and welfare facilities that aid can easily miss
- Support has expanded from relief supplies to creating places for children and building community ties that prevent isolation
- Aid once sent from Japan to Taiwan after the 2024 Hualien earthquake has now come from Taiwan to Kumamoto, leading to December's Christmas market
Why This News Deserves Attention
As time passes after a disaster, the support people need shifts from "things" to "connections between people." The way this organization has broadened its work, from emergency supplies to places where children can play safely and opportunities for residents to gather, offers a useful reference for thinking about medium- and long-term support in disaster areas.
It is also striking that aid sent from Japan after an earthquake in Taiwan has now come back from Taiwan to Kumamoto. We look forward to seeing this cross-border mutual support, born out of disasters, turn into joyful moments for the local community.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“What stayed with me was that the team arrived just two days after the quake and delivered supplies directly to places aid can easily miss, such as people sheltering at home and welfare facilities. Finding and supporting people outside evacuation centers is an important challenge in every disaster.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“Aoba's point about paying attention to people aid can easily miss is so important. I was moved by how support once sent from Japan after the Hualien earthquake has now come back from Taiwan to Kumamoto. Mutual support keeps crossing borders.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Listening to you both, I felt that support grows from delivering things to connecting people. Joyful places like a play park and a Christmas market could give children and local residents energy for the days ahead.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“Three months have passed since the Kumamoto Earthquake. At this stage, when news coverage gradually fades, ongoing support becomes all the more important. Efforts that support "fun places" such as a play park for children, local festivals and a Christmas market are truly encouraging as people work to rebuild their daily lives.
Please keep an eye on this circle of support connecting Taiwan and Kumamoto. Activity reports are available on the organization's official website.”