＃４２　Dear Ostomates - Intorucing Disaster Preparation Plan by Japan Ostomy Assosiation, Inc(JOA)

We are a group of ostomates and their friends in Japan, called "Whoopstoma!".
We would like to share the needs of the ostmates which might be helpful for the people affected by disasters.
We wish to provide information that can be shared with the community.

Here, please let us share some of its TIPs from the website of the Japan Ostomy Association(JOA), the largest ostomy-related organization in Japan, about disaster preparation plan for ostomates.

１）When Disaster Strikes

■ What you sholuld know during evacuation

At shelter, inform the facility manager that you are an ostomate, and let them know ASAP that you need restroom accommodations and assistance from support staff.

In times of disaster, social communication is important to prevent isolation.

Through mutual contacts, you can confirm each other's safety, encourage each other, exchange information and support each other by donating stomabags and other ostomy products. Building these relationships on a regular basis can be helpful.

■How to get the stomabags and other ostomy products during evacuation?

You may be able to get stomabags by following ways;
1) Free provision of stoma supplies in case of emergency by Ostomy Appliance Safety net group (OAS).  detailed announcement in Japanese
2) Stockpiling of stoma supplies by local governments.
Ask your local branch office.
3) Supply agreements between local governments and stoma appliance dealers. Contact at your local government or dealer.

The stoma bag you usually use may not be available, so you need to prepare as much as possible in advance.

２）Be prepared for in case

■　Let's make Ostomates Card

It is recommended that you carry your ostomy card and your disability card with you at all times.

All items should be pre-filled on the ostomy card. 
Listed below are examples of items.

• The manufacturer name and contact

• Product Name you normaly use

• Distributor name and contact 

• Local government contact

• Type of stoma

• Stoma size

■Prepare an Emergency Bag!

In the emergency bag, prepare 2 to 4 weeks' worth of stomabags and other ostomy products, garbage bags, etc.

【Remarks】
In addition to the emergency bag, please store stoma goods for disaster use in separate locations inside and outside your home. Some local governments provide storage space for stoma goods for personal use in public facilities. (You can confirm about it by contacting the JOA branch you belong to.)

【Remarks】Stomabags use in disaster in many cases, "water" is not available during a disaster.A skin cleanser that does not require water could be helpful.
If the patient irrigates, he/she should be able to defecate spontaneously.
The faceplate of the stomabags should be pre-drilled to your size.
Store stomabags and supplies well in advane. Replace them with new ones once a year!

■Check the environment of the shelter.

Confirm the space for toilet and changing stomabags. If you don't find them, consult with the local department in charge and consider how to deal with the situation.
For more information, please visit the JOA's Disaster Preparedness website. *Disaster Preparedness for Ostomates (joa-net.org) The list of pecific belongings and check points are also listed on the website.

Finally,  this project would be carried out by the following volunteers,
including Japanese-speaking members, and the translation 
work may be based on AI translation. 
Please forgive and help us, if there are any shortcomings in the quality of the 
translation.

voluntary members "prepare for disasters" Whoopstoma!

rena miyazaki
naoko nagao
saeko nakagawa siddiqi
noriko kanaoka

special thanks to Japan Ostomy Association (JOA)