Hiroshima Landslide - visiting & volunteering
Is Hiroshima safe to visit after the landslide disaster?
As many of you have heard, there was a horrible landslide triggered by a severe thunderstorm that hit Hiroshima city in the early morning of 8/20/2014. As of 9/10/2014, 72 people were killed and 2 remain missing and over 830 people have lost their homes.
The city center did not have any serious damage, only the rivers were brown with mud. But the northern suburbs of the city - Asa-minami-ku and Asa-kita-ku had considerable damage.
All of the main sightseeing spots have not been affected by the landslide disaster and everything is running as usual.
You can see updates on the situation as well as upcoming events and recommended places to visit on a local site written by long-term (American and British) Hiroshima residents: http://www.gethiroshima.com
Also, pick up the latest GetHiroshima map or magazine at the Hiroshima train station, Information center and at many hotels.
Here's the 2014 Summer versions online: http://issuu.com/gethiroshima/docs/gethiroshima_mag_summer_2014
GetHiroshima map:
http://www.gethiroshima.com/getmap/
How can I volunteer?
You can read my latest article about volunteering at the landslides here: http://www.gethiroshima.com/features/volunteering-99/
I have volunteered twice and it is always hard work, but being surrounded by good-hearted people helping people and neighborhoods in dire need is a great experience, I would highly recommend it if you are interested.
Anyone with an address in Japan (even at a hotel) and very basic Japanese skills (although there is always someone around who can help in English) is welcome to volunteer to help at the administration level or for clean-up.
You can see updated details of what, where and how on gethiroshima:
http://www.gethiroshima.com/features/volunteering-landslide-zone/
jjwalsh
United States