Introducing Disaster Preparedness, Stockpiling Strategies, and Support for People with Disabilities!

Disasters can strike anywhere, anytime. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the probability of a magnitude 8 to 9 class earthquake occurring within the next 30 years is said to be 70% to 80%.

Reference: Forecast on Global Environment and Natural Disasters｜Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

January 17 marks the day the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred.

This day may prompt many people to reassess their emergency supplies and stockpiles.

However, a general emergency preparedness list may not address the "real struggles" faced by people with disabilities, potentially putting their lives at risk.

In January 2024, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake caused significant damage to the Hokuriku region.

The effects of the disaster are still felt today, and many people continue to live under difficult conditions.

This time, we would like to explain disaster preparedness and measures that people with disabilities can take, as well as the support they can receive in the event of a disaster.

1. People with Disabilities Are More Vulnerable During Disasters

The mortality rate for people with disabilities during disasters is about twice that of the general population, a shocking statistic revealed by a study on the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Why is there such a significant disparity?

Reference: Mortality Rate for People with Disabilities is Twice the Overall Rate｜NHK Welfare Information Site
Reference: Forum 2011 - Mortality Rate of People with Disabilities in the Great East Japan Earthquake｜Japan Disability Rehabilitation Center

Depending on the disability, people with disabilities are more likely to be placed in dangerous situations during disasters.

NHK conducted a survey on people with disabilities and disaster preparedness from December 2020 to January 2021. According to the survey, 87% of the 876 respondents expressed anxiety about disasters, a high level of concern.

As a disaster preparedness measure, 57.9% of respondents checked the hazard maps for risks around their homes or workplaces, but the numbers vary significantly when broken down by type of disability.

Focusing on people with visual impairments and those who are deafblind, only about 30% to 40% checked the hazard maps, a relatively low percentage.

The reasons include the hazard maps not being in a format they can understand or simply not being aware of the hazard maps.

Reference: NHK Welfare Information Site｜NHK

It seems that the necessary information is not sufficiently reaching those who need it.

Moreover, due to the characteristics of their disabilities, some people cannot adapt to evacuation centers, feel uneasy, or cannot go there at all, indicating that evacuation itself is not easy.

Reference: Risks for People with Disabilities (PDF Page 1)｜Welfare Practice Case Portal

2. General Disaster Preparedness

The damage caused by disasters can potentially be minimized with correct knowledge and actions. To avoid panicking when a disaster strikes, let's review general disaster preparedness.

2-1. Securing Furniture

30% to 50% of injuries during earthquakes are caused by falling or toppling furniture. To prevent injuries from falling or toppling, it is effective to minimize the placement of furniture in living spaces and use equipment for prevention.

The Tokyo Disaster Prevention website provides more specific methods for prevention, so please refer to it.

Reference: Preventing Furniture from Falling, Toppling, and Moving at Home｜Tokyo Disaster Prevention Website

Additionally, the Tokyo Fire Department's "Furniture Falling, Toppling, and Moving Prevention Handbook" includes a checklist at the end to ensure that measures are correctly implemented, so please make use of it.

Reference: Furniture Falling, Toppling, and Moving Prevention Handbook｜Tokyo Fire Department

2-2. Checking Evacuation Routes

Checking evacuation routes in advance allows you to act calmly and without panic when a disaster occurs. Disaster maps and hazard maps are useful in such situations.

Disaster maps show the locations of evacuation sites and public facilities, and by checking them in advance and keeping them in mind, you can evacuate smoothly in case of an emergency.

Hazard maps indicate areas prone to earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc., allowing you to recognize risks in advance and take actions to avoid them.

By combining these two and simulating routes while considering actual situations, you can act with more confidence, so thorough preparation is crucial.

The Hazard Map Portal Site operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism allows you to quickly check the disaster risk of a specific location by entering the address you want to investigate, so it is recommended to check it once.

Reference: Hazard Map Portal Site｜Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

2-3. Discussing Disaster Preparedness with Family and Caregivers

Disasters can occur anywhere, anytime. They may happen while you are at work or out. Therefore, it is recommended to discuss with your family in advance what actions to take before a disaster occurs.

The Urayasu City website introduces topics to discuss with your family as part of "Disaster Preparedness Guidelines." For example,

・Decide on preventive measures and roles during disasters
・Regularly check if emergency supplies are complete
・Confirm communication methods and evacuation sites

These are detailed in the disaster preparedness guidelines below, so please refer to and utilize them.

Reference: Disaster Preparedness Guidelines｜Urayasu City Hall

2-4. Evacuation Checklist for People with Disabilities

By preparing an evacuation checklist in advance, you can avoid the risk of forgetting important items or being delayed in escaping.

The necessary supplies may vary depending on the type of disability, but the website "Everyone's Disability" introduces representative supplies under the title "Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities - Preparation, Items, and Emergency Response."

Including the contents from that site, it is advisable to prepare the following items for evacuation.

To enable quick evacuation, prepare items that can be stored in a backpack or bag in advance, allowing for faster movement. Create and prepare a checklist.

Additionally, if you have a help card, review it to ensure it contains information that will truly enable you to receive support.

Simple help cards may only list the medical condition and contact details.

On the other hand, to create a help card that facilitates support, it is recommended to include the following items:

[My Condition]
・I have paralysis in both legs and cannot stand on my own
・I have difficulty speaking, but I can understand

[What I Need]
・Please lift me by the armpits when evacuating
・Please speak slowly (it takes time for me to understand)
・A writing board would be helpful

[Emergency Contacts]
・Family: 090-XXXX-XXXX (Mother, Hanako)
・Regular hospital: XX Hospital 03-XXXX-XXXX
・Medications: △△ tablets (morning and evening), □□ tablets (as needed)

[Update Date] January 17, 2025

The key point here is to prioritize "specific assistance methods" over "medical conditions."

Also, clearly stating "what you want" is crucial.

Don't just create it once and leave it; update contact information annually and laminate it for waterproofing.

Furthermore, in addition to a paper help card, set up emergency medical information (Medical ID) that can be viewed from the lock screen of your smartphone.

This allows rescuers to check information even if you are unconscious.

[Setup Method]
iPhone: Health app → Medical ID → "Show When Locked" ON
Android: Settings → Emergency Information and Emergency Calls → "Show on Lock Screen" ON

Be sure to enter allergies, medications, medical history, and emergency contacts without omission.

Reference: Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities - Preparation, Items, and Emergency Response｜Everyone's Disability

3. Disaster Preparedness for Different Disabilities

Here, we summarize disaster preparedness measures to be aware of for different disabilities. This summary is based on the "Disaster Preparedness Site for People with Disabilities" compiled by NHK.

While researching, I found many insightful points, so if you want to learn more, please refer to this page.

Reference: Disaster Preparedness Site for People with Disabilities｜NHK

3-1. For People with Visual Impairments

For those with visual impairments, if completely blind, it is difficult to obtain information visually, and those with low vision may need equipment to supplement their vision. Additionally, difficulties in mobility are anticipated.

・White cane
・Glasses or magnifying glasses to aid vision
・Braille board
・Radio
・Photos of family or partners

These items are advisable to prepare. Having photos of family or partners can be helpful in evacuation centers when you want to find important people but cannot do so on your own, allowing you to ask others for help.

3-2. For People with Hearing Impairments

For those with hearing impairments, they can obtain information visually, but it is difficult to gather information through sound, making it challenging to accurately understand the situation.

・Writing tools for communication
・Spare batteries for hearing aids or cochlear implants
・Flashlight

These items make it easier to gather information when a disaster occurs.

3-3. For People with Physical Disabilities

People with physical disabilities often use wheelchairs, canes, or braces, making it difficult to move during emergencies, potentially leading to isolation.

・Diapers or portable toilets
・Items for preventing bedsores or pressure ulcers
・Stretcher for when self-mobility is difficult

These items provide reassurance.

Also, regularly maintain the safety of canes, check the air pressure and parts of wheelchairs, and consider preparing spare canes in case there are places where wheelchairs cannot pass. These preemptive measures are crucial.

3-4. For People with Internal Disabilities

Internal disabilities vary depending on the condition, but they may make living in evacuation centers difficult, or they may not be visibly apparent, making it hard to gain understanding from others.

・Medications and related tools
・Medication notebook or drug information sheets that explain the contents and effects of medications
・Therapeutic or special diets

Prepare these items. In evacuation centers, it is reassuring if medical institutions can be contacted as soon as possible.

3-5. For People with Mental Disabilities

People with mental disabilities may experience psychological stress during disasters, leading to anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and other mental health issues.

・Regular medications
・Disability certificate and drug information sheets that explain the contents and effects of medications
・Contact information for medical institutions in case of trouble

Even in emergencies, do not hesitate to seek help from those around you.

3-6. For People with Intellectual Disabilities 

People with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to understand or convey accurate information.

・Regular medications
・Help cards or items with names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
・Toys or books that provide comfort

These items can help others notice and assist when needed.

4. Learning from Past Disasters: Challenges Faced by People with Disabilities in Evacuation Centers

We have compiled the challenges faced by people with disabilities in evacuation centers during past disasters such as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake. Upon investigation, several difficult issues became apparent.

4-1. Inability to Receive Food Distribution and Other Assistance

According to a paper by Shigeru Beppu, a director of the Japan Disaster Food Society, although emergency food was delivered, due to dietary restrictions or swallowing disorders, some people could only eat limited items or had difficulty swallowing, resulting in inadequate nutrition.

As a result, there is a risk of further health deterioration due to decreased immunity from malnutrition.

Additionally, there were cases where the inability to provide meals that considered the needs of vulnerable disaster victims caused increased stress.

Reference: Living and Eating of Vulnerable Disaster Victims (Page 4)｜J-STAGE

4-2. Time-Consuming Mobility

People with disabilities face various barriers when living in evacuation centers. During evacuation center life, there were individuals who, due to economic hardship, lack of family to transport them, or inability to use public transportation, had no means to reach hospitals or faced time-consuming mobility challenges.

Reference: Considering Mobility During Disasters｜Japan Disability Rehabilitation Center Information Center

Additionally, the lack of barrier-free evacuation centers may necessitate relocation within the center.

According to a survey conducted by the "JDF Disaster Area Disability Support Center Fukushima" from 2015 to 2016, among the 147 people with disabilities who evacuated after the Great East Japan Earthquake, 80%, or 118 people, moved to three or more locations. Furthermore, the burden of moving resulted in 40% of them experiencing worsening disabilities.

Reference: Disabled People Moving Between Evacuation Centers, Averaging 4 Locations｜Nikkei

At that time, there were few evacuation centers equipped to accommodate people with disabilities, and finding a new location took a considerable amount of time. Although improvements were sought based on experiences from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the reality is that even in subsequent disasters, there are still few evacuation centers that accommodate people with disabilities.

4-3. Difficulty in Regulating Body Temperature

Among people with disabilities, some have difficulty sweating due to spinal or cervical cord injuries, making it challenging to regulate body temperature.

Additionally, people with intellectual disabilities may not be able to express changes in their physical condition. In evacuation centers during disasters, where there is a lot of foot traffic, there is a possibility of significant changes in body temperature, so caution is needed.

To prevent health deterioration, it is important for those around them to have a mindset of,

・They may have difficulty regulating their body temperature
・They may have difficulty expressing changes in body temperature
・They may struggle to feel heat or thirst

Such considerations and care are very important.

Reference: NHK Welfare Information Site Heart Net｜NHK

4-4. Difficulty Obtaining Welfare and Medical Equipment

During disasters, it becomes difficult to obtain welfare and medical equipment.

For those requiring medical care, securing power is crucial, and pre-disaster preparation is vital.

According to the Disaster Response Guidebook for People Needing Medical Care and Their Families, there is a high possibility of power outages during disasters, and depending on the equipment used and the home situation, it may be necessary to prepare external batteries, storage batteries, or self-generators.

When choosing a portable power supply, check the power consumption (W) of the equipment used and the required operating time.

[Calculation Method]
Operating Time (hours) = Portable Power Supply Capacity (Wh) ÷ Equipment Power Consumption (W) × 0.8 (Conversion Efficiency)

Example: Operating a ventilator (power consumption 50W) with a 500Wh portable power supply
500Wh ÷ 50W × 0.8 = Approximately 8 hours of operation

[Recommended Capacity]
Ventilator & Suction Machine: 500Wh or more (8-10 hours of operation)
Electric Wheelchair Charging: 1000Wh or more

Reference: Disaster Response Guidebook for People Needing Medical Care and Their Families (Pages 12-17)

During power outages, car inverters that can draw power from a car's cigarette lighter socket are relatively inexpensive and easy to introduce.

While the car engine is running, medical equipment can be continuously operated. Choose one with a rated output of 300W or more (at least twice the power consumption of medical equipment).

Preparing a checklist of necessary items for evacuation and being able to act calmly in case of an emergency is important.

However, welfare evacuation centers are often not opened immediately, and general evacuation centers are often not barrier-free, so there may be cases where people choose to shelter in place at home.

In such cases, if the home is intact, rolling stock (cyclical stockpiling) for staying at home is recommended.

Keeping extra supplies of thickening agents, special care foods, diapers, etc., while using them daily, can allow for smooth response in the event of a disaster.

Reference: Disaster Response Guidebook for People Needing Medical Care and Their Families (Pages 12-17)

5. Reflecting on the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (Winter Disaster × Disability)

The Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on January 1, 2024, struck people with disabilities at the worst possible time, during New Year's Day (a holiday period when hospitals are closed) and in the middle of winter.

According to a report by Kazuya Takahashi (NPO Goldenship), who conducted support activities in the disaster area, the challenges faced by people with disabilities were unimaginable.

At a disability support facility in Wajima City, 40 residents with intellectual disabilities were affected. Residents and their families, who were at home, were exhausted due to their disability characteristics in general evacuation centers and expressed a desire to return to the facility. However, the facility was damaged and could not immediately accommodate them.

Reference: Please Help Restore the Intellectual Disability Facility in Wajima City Affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake｜READYFOR
Reference: Emergency Medical Relief to Wajima City in the Disaster Area! Help Disaster Victims Facing Health Crises｜CAMPFIRE

A significant problem exacerbated by the winter season was the prolonged water outage.

During the harsh winter in January, some areas took months to restore water supply, and some people went over a week without being able to bathe, necessitating health support.

Additionally, the cold in evacuation centers became a serious issue, increasing health risks for people with disabilities who had difficulty regulating body temperature due to insufficient heating.

Moreover, snow and road damage made it extremely difficult for wheelchair users to move.

In isolated communities, it took 2-3 days for rescue to arrive in some cases.

These experiences highlighted the need for completely different preparations for winter disasters compared to summer disasters.

6. Support Available for People with Disabilities During Disasters

If you have a family member who requires assistance, make use of the Disaster Support System for People Needing Assistance.

This system supports people who have difficulty evacuating on their own during disasters.

The activities include regular check-ins and monitoring of registered individuals.

Additionally, evacuation guidance can be provided in the event of a disaster.

Eligible individuals include:

・Home-living elderly people with care level 3 or higher
・Holders of physical disability certificates level 1 or 2
・Holders of rehabilitation certificates A, A1, A2
・Holders of mental health welfare certificates level 1
・Patients with intractable diseases receiving disability welfare services

If you wish to register, please contact your local municipality.

By collaborating with the government and community, timely and appropriate support can be provided to those who need assistance during evacuation, so make sure to check if the system is available in advance.

Reference: Support for People Requiring Consideration｜Utsunomiya City

7. Introducing a Site for People with Disabilities During Disasters

In the event of an actual disaster, how quickly you can obtain information and transition to actions such as evacuation is crucial.

However, the reality is that there are few means for people with disabilities to easily obtain information.

In fact, according to an NHK survey, during the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the mortality rate for people with disability certificates was twice that of the overall population.

In response, NHK launched the "Disaster Preparedness Site for People with Disabilities" to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind.

The Disaster Preparedness Site for People with Disabilities provides optimal information for each type of disability.

• Visual Impairment & Deafblind
• Hearing Impairment
• Physical Disability
• Mental Disability
• Intellectual Disability
• Developmental Disability
• Higher Brain Dysfunction
• Internal Disabilities, Intractable Diseases, and Others
• Dementia, Bedridden, and Other Disabilities

Real-time information on local disasters and evacuation center openings is provided, and there are mobile and read-aloud versions available, making it easy to access information in any situation.

There is also a site that provides weather and disaster information in sign language CG, making it very convenient.

Additionally, as part of regular preparedness, it is possible to gain knowledge on how to obtain information, minimize damage, and prepare for evacuation.

Furthermore, the site is packed with information for those providing support, making it very informative, so why not check it out?

Reference: Disaster Preparedness Site for People with Disabilities｜NHK

8. Conclusion

While compiling this article, I questioned myself internally about whether I could evacuate calmly if a disaster occurred in my area.

As it stands, I might be too focused on ensuring my own safety to provide support for people with disabilities.

If you are a person with a disability, start by creating a checklist and checking the hazard map of your area.

Also, if you are in trouble, reach out to those around you for help. Many people may not be aware, not because they are ignoring you, but because they simply don't notice.

Taking this opportunity, I want to rethink my disaster preparedness and continue to live with the mindset of not leaving anyone behind.