Difficulties Disabled Disaster Victims Face and Support of Volunteers and NPOs

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  • 被災障害者の困難とボランティア／NPOによる支援
  • ヒサイ ショウガイシャ ノ コンナン ト ボランティア/NPO ニ ヨル シエン

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Abstract

The Great Hanshin Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake are similar in that rather than the entire population within the area being equally impacted by the disasters, difficulties that vulnerable disabled people and the elderly face in their normal life became even more apparent at the time of disaster making them a “disadvantaged disaster victim”. This also means that lessons learned from the Great Hanshin Earthquake were not utilized in the Great East Japan Earthquake. The double social deprivation of disabled disaster victims includes ① exclusion from the confirmation process of civilian’s safety and lack of access to information, ② physical barriers within the environment of shelters and temporary housing, ③ lack of assistance, ④ the “principle of uniformity （equality）” which does not give special consideration to “disadvantaged disaster victims” and the “principle of institutionalizing or hospitalizing” disabled people who have difficulties living independently, ⑤ exclusive treatment in shelters, and ⑥ a disparity in the speed of recovery from a disaster. Disabled disaster victims provide peer support using the network of disabled people's groups while making an effort to rebuild their lives and gain independence with “collective support” from volunteers and NPOs. Through activities of “The centre of disabled people in the disaster area” in the Great Hanshin Earthquake, “collective support” was established to assist the independence of disabled disaster victims based on their own desires. Also, the focus of the “Yumekaze Fund” during the Great East Japan Earthquake was on personal support, long-term support, prioritization of local regions, as well as development of disabled people as providers of support and as users of services. The importance of establishing contact points between able-bodied and disabled people is highlighted within everyday efforts to prevent social deprivation of disabled people at the time of a disaster.

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