Faced with the Great East Japan Earthquake and Disaster : Actions taken by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine (JARM) / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

The 9.0-magnitude under sea megathrust earthquake and the subsequent extremely destructive tsunami waves on March 11 2011 brought an extensive and severe disaster to the Tohoku and Kanto areas. This natural disaster has been markedly complicated by a series of nuclear power plant failures, leading to radioactive contamination, power shortages and ungrounded rumors. Faced with this most difficult crisis, the JARM set up an earthquake disaster headquarters, and has so far taken the following actions, with an emphasis on supporting its members in the disaster stricken areas, preventing immobilization syndromes and providing necessary rehabilitation services for the frail elderly and persons with disabilities, in collaboration with other specialists organizations, local and central governments 1) Activities in the disaster zone including support of the physiatrists there, dispatch of JARM members, medical caravans for isolated home-dwelling persons with disabilities, and relief activities as a part of multidisciplinary specialists teams ; 2) Organizing a nation-wide system for transferring persons needing rehabilitation and care services ; 3) Activities in the non-disaster areas for victims relocated from the disaster zone ; 4) Information support services to collect and provide useful information ; 5) Proposals to the government for enlightenment of the importance of rehabilitation disaster relief and for relaxation of regulations for eligibility for rehabilitation and care services. The scope of the disaster is too extensive, both in magnitude and geographical area, and too complex. The situation on the ground and the needs of affected persons are constantly changing. Therefore, well-coordinated, creative, and long-term efforts will be needed, and the JARM is determined to be actively involved in the reconstruction process.