Response by Okayama University to the disasters caused by the heavy rain event of July 2018 Vol.3
As president of Okayama University, I would like to provide an update to my previous bulletins concerning the aftermath of the heavy rain event of July 2018. About two weeks have passed but there are still several people who are unaccounted for. On behalf of Okayama University, I would like to express my deepest and most sincere wish that the missing will be rescued immediately. In addition, please allow me to offer our deepest sympathies to those who are suffering in the aftermath, their families, and all the parties concerned. I know that everyone associated with Okayama University is hoping and praying for rapid restoration following this devastating event.
To assist in the recovery, Okayama University has enhanced its activities since our last bulletin dated 15 July. Okayama University has set up the “Okayama University Volunteer Center” as an information hub for students, faculty, and staff on how to volunteer with the Okayama Prefectural Council of Social Welfare and the different regional centers. Okayama University has arranged transportation and equipment for volunteers in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation Student Volunteer Center. The first location for volunteer activity by Okayama University students was in Shoja-shi, Okayama prefecture on July 21. The next location is at Higashi-ku, Okayama-shi on July 28. In addition, many clubs, lecture groups, student groups, faculty, and staff have performed volunteer work independently of Okayama University.
Next, Okayama University also established the “Okayama University Investigation Team for the heavy rain event of July 2018” to determine the damage overview of Okayama prefecture, prepare for the future disasters, and update protocols for reconstruction efforts to disaster areas. The Investigation Team consists of disaster prevention experts from Okayama University. Apart from causal analysis, development of preventive measures, and reconstruction support, the team will continue collecting information about the damage overview of the disaster area and conducting on-site damage surveys.
In addition, Okayama University continues to raise money for the reconstruction of the disaster area. We ask all students, faculty and staff for donations on the website and by sending email.
To close, please accept my promise that Okayama University will continue to work to enhance mutual cooperation with local communities to overcome this disaster. “Let’s work together hand in hand, Okayama!”
July 24, 2018
President, Okayama University
Hirofumi Makino
Response by Okayama University to the disasters caused by the heavy rain event of July 2018 Vol.2
The heavy rain in July 2018 caused heavy damage mainly across the West part of Japan. Floods and landslides happened in large areas of Okayama Prefecture and many people are suffering in the aftermath. As the representative of Okayama University, please let me express on behalf of the university our condolences to victims of the disaster, and offer our deepest sympathies to those who are suffering in the aftermath, their families, and all the parties concerned. We hope and pray for rapid restoration following this devastating event.
Okayama University set up an emergency headquarter in the morning on July 7 and has held a meeting at the emergency headquarter every morning to confirm the safety status of our students, faculty, and staff and to conduct a damage overview. In addition, the emergency headquarter has been providing support for reconstruction efforts to those who have been affected by this disaster.
We have confirmed there were 89 students who were victims as of July 13, 2018: 70 students were affected by flood damage, 10 were affected by landslide damage, and 9 were affected by disconnection of lifeline. Moreover, 24 students couldn’t commute to the university due to the suspension of the public transportation. 12 faculty and staff also have experienced commuting difficulties owing to the flood damage or the suspension of the public transportation.
Residents around the Handayama Research Forest experienced concern due to the landslides caused by the heavy rain. On July 10, after access was granted by Okayama prefectural police, disaster experts belonging to Okayama University as well as representatives from a consulting company were able to access the location of the landslide to determine the soil status. As of publication, the soil in the area still contains a lot of water so the introduction of stabilization devices must wait. Okayama University is cooperating with Okayama city concerning the safety status of Handayama. In the case of heavy rainfall, residents surrounding Handayama are urged to pay attention to weather forecasts and to prepare to evacuate the areas that may be affected by landslide according to the rainfall information.
Okayama University Hospital continues to offer medical support for disaster stricken-areas. The need for medical support given by the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) finished because the acute stage of the rain event disaster has passed so the DMAT has been stood down. Okayama University hospital continues to offer medical support at shelters by cooperating with local government and other medical institutions. In addition, July 11 the hospital dispatched a mobile pharmacy to Mabi-cho.
Members of Okayama University carried out other actions to promote the recovery. Okayama University held a briefing July 11 for those who wished to participate in volunteer activities to assist in disaster recovery. 237 Okayama University students attended the briefing. I found that the students were well aware of the situation. In addition, the members of the Okayama University emergency headquarter attended the meetings on disaster support networking in Okayama prefecture. The Okayama University emergency headquarters also facilitated information exchange between local government, centers for volunteering, and nonprofit organizations.
The Faculty of Education opened Okayama University’s facilities for Tsushima elementary school students. Tsushima elementary school has been closed due to the disaster. The Faculty of Education also provided opportunities for play and study support for the affected Tsushima school children. Last, Okayama University directed the Okayama Shiryo-net to start activities to save historical records and cultural assets from the flood damage. Okayama University has made every effort to promote harmonious cooperation among the various groups working for disaster recovery.
Faculty, staff, and students will continue to work together to enhance mutual cooperation with local communities to overcome this disaster. We will keep updating the Okayama University website with information related to the heavy rain event.
July 15, 2018
President, Okayama University
Hirofumi Makino
Response by Okayama University to the disasters caused by the heavy rain event of July 2018
The heavy rain event of July 2018 caused floods and landslides across large areas of Okayama Prefecture. On behalf of Okayama University, please allow me to express our condolences to victims of the disaster, and offer our deepest sympathies to those who are suffering in the aftermath, their families, and all the parties concerned. We hope and pray for rapid restoration following this devastating event.
Okayama University set up an emergency headquarter in the morning of July 7. We are in the process of confirming the status of our students, faculty, and staff as well as conducting a survey of the damage caused to university facilities. According to reports, there was no heavy damage at Tsushima, Shikata, Higashiyama, Hirai, Kurashiki and Misasa campuses to this point in time. However, Handayama Mountain, which is behind Tsushima campus, had a landslide; it caused some damage to the forested area of the mountain and the surrounding buildings. We are offering classes as usual now.
The director of Okayama University Hospital set up an emergency headquarter on July 6. The hospital dispatched Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) to disaster areas, and has been accepting patients from devastated hospitals. We will continue to offer the usual services and carry out reconstruction support for those who have been affected by this disaster.
Faculty, staff, and students will work together to enhance mutual cooperation with local communities to overcome this disaster. We will keep providing updates on the Okayama University website information related to the heavy rain event.
As the representative of Okayama University, please accept my sincere wish that the areas affected by the heavy rain event can recover as quickly as possible. In order for the recovery to happen, Okayama University will continue to participate in recovery and reconstruction activities.
July 9, 2018
President, Okayama University
Hirofumi Makino
岡山大学病院では、災害当初より「災害対策(支援)本部」を立ち上げ、被災地の医療支援活動を展開。7月8日から11日まで災害派遣医療チーム(Disaster Medical Assistance Team ; DMAT)を派遣し、8日は「まび記念病院」から患者さん8人を受け入れ、12日からは医師、看護師、薬剤師、事務職員らによる被災地での医療救護活動を行いました。
岡山大学病院全体としての支援活動は、22日をもって終了しました。今後は、救急および災害医療マネジメント学講座を中心とする医師の支援、有志看護師による支援、薬剤師協会を通じた薬剤師支援、リハビリ支援、精神医療支援などを可能な限り継続していき、病院としてそれらの活動を支えていく予定です。
●To students who wish to engage in volunteer work in disaster affected areas (2018.07.12)
Volunteer centers are being established in disaster affected areas and currently in the process of preparing to receive volunteers. Okayama University held a briefing session on volunteering on July 11, and we are aware of the high level of interest in volunteering among many students. Those who plan to engage in volunteer work during this coming three-day weekend and afterwards must confirm information of on-site volunteer centers beforehand and exercise utmost caution for your safety when volunteering.
Before engaging in volunteer work, please make sure to read “Disaster Volunteer Handbook” and “Flood Disaster Volunteer Work Manual” thoroughly, and pay sufficient attention to your safety as well as refrain from causing troubles to others in disaster affected areas. For your information, the information of municipalities where volunteer centers are accepting volunteers at this point are listed below.
Also, upon volunteering, confirm the information on “Quasi-public leave of absence due to engaging in disaster volunteer activities” below, then submit a “Disaster Volunteer Activity Notification (Annex 6-2)” to the instruction and students section of affiliated faculty/graduate school and subscribe to a “volunteer activity insurance” before engaging in volunteer work.
◆About Volunteer work
Some of you might think that "I want to do volunteer work and help the people and areas which has suffered from damages". However, in the most of areas, activities such as by the police, firefighting, and the SDF are continuing, and going to the site at this stage may cause confusion in their work. As the university, we also in the stage of collecting information, we would like you to stay away from the disaster site for a while. Once we confirm the situation with local municipalities or NGOs or other organizations, and find out that they can accept volunteers from the civilian, we will inform you at this website or some other way. 【Quasi-public leave of absence due to engaging in disaster volunteer activities】
Okayama University held a briefing session for volunteers on July 11, and many students have participated in the session.
If you have questions about Volunteer work, please send e-mail to the following address. [email protected].
◆About the classes
If public transportation had been suspended and you are unable to come to the classes, it will be considered as a “public leave of absence” from class; therefore, please take extra caution and care for your safety when you commute to school. 【About Public Leave of Absence】
The disastrous heavy rain over the last few days has been causing severe damages to many parts of Okayama Prefecture. In order to get a grasp of the situation of our students, please report to the faculty/graduate school you belong to if you have been suffering any damage or affected by the disaster.
Also, please, regularly check your email and/or University Website.
◆About student support
Please accept our sympathies for the students who have suffered from damages to their residence and/or their parents' residence. If you have severe damages, or if you have been facing difficulties economically, please consult with the Student Support Division (2nd floor of building A of General Education Building).
Also, please feel free to visit the student counseling room whenever you have worries, concerns or any issues, or you just want to have a chat with somebody. A counselor will be there for you.([email protected])
◆Financial support for students with financial difficulties
Support fund (grant-type)
JASSO Support Fund (100,000 yen (grant-type)) Applicant:Students who are suffering from partial to complete destruction of their own residence due to the disaster caused by the heavy rain of July 2018. Required document:Disaster Victim Certificate (“Risai Shoumeisho”) (with a statement of the extent of damage to the residence such as partial/complete destruction, inundation above floor level, etc.) Application period: Friday, July 20 ~ Tuesday, July 31. *Application can be accepted until Oct. 15; however, please apply as early as possible. JASSO Support Fund
Tuition Fee Exemption
Information on Tuition Fee Exemption Application for the second half term of FY2018 will be posted on the concerned website after August. WEB (reference):Tuition Fee Exemption
*Certificate to prove the extent of damage caused by the disaster (i.e. Disaster Victim Certificate) is required for either application mentioned above. Contact: Student Support Division (Students who are on Shikata campus or enrolled in the evening course should contact Instruction and Student Section of their Faculty/Graduate School) Regarding Support Fund: 086-251-8436 (International Students should contact the Center for Global Partnerships and Education) Regarding Tuition Fee Exemption: 086-251-7211
◆(2018.7.23) Measures for lost/damaged textbooks due to the disaster
For students whose textbooks, etc. were lost or damaged due to the disaster caused by the heavy rain of July 2018, University Co-op will provide new textbooks for free of charge at the Muscat Union Bookstore on Tsushima Campus.
Please, pick up books you need at the Muscat Union Bookstore, inform a store staff that you were affected by the disaster, and then show your student ID.
If the books you need are out of stock at the bookstore, they can be ordered there.