The lives of the residents in the disaster areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake : Interviews with temporary housing residents in the City of Tagajo / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

ABSTRACT

<b>Objective</b> To understand the issues, future goals and support for the lives of the residents who were victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake.<br><b>Methods</b> We conducted interviews with two men and six women among the affected residents who were living in temporary housing in the City of Tagajo in July 2013.<br><b>Results</b> Most residents had many acquaintances, so there were minimal interpersonal troubles. However, many of them are elderly and there was concern regarding those that do not attend community meetings. This temporary housing was assisted by volunteers from the whole country who came at the early stages to support them. Upon moving into the temporary housing, there were some initial problems such as no reheating of the bath water and dark surroundings due to the lack of street lamps. However, following requests to the City of Tagajo, most of these issues were resolved. Many of the residents need to use a wheelchair compared to normal situation and concern was expressed regarding who will support them if another big earthquake occurs.<br><b>Conclusion</b> New permanent housing is being constructed and gradually being occupied, and no major problems were seen among the residents interviewed. However, the existence of the group of people who cannot come to the community meetings and the issues that elderly residents have were clarified. Support for these residents, including health maintenance, is felt to be necessary.