災害ボラ8日目 Disaster Relief Volunteer Day 8
今日がいわきでの最終日でした。もう一度避難所に行く機会をいただきました。昨日一緒にストーブの周りでお話しした女性3人。そのうちの1名が今日退所し、新たな場所での生活を始めます。残りのお2人と一緒にお見送りをした時には寂しいような、複雑そうな表情をしていた。寒いのでそのあとまたストーブに戻り、「いいことないなー」「すべて流されちゃったなー」と一人が呟いた。それに対してもう一人が「来年はきっといいことがあるよ」と。
Today was my last day in Iwaki. I was able to visit the shelter one last time. Yesterday I spoke with three women as we sat around the stove for warmth. One of the three women moved out of the shelter today to begin the next chapter of her life. I watched her drive away from the shelter with the two other women who had somewhat sad and complicated expressions on their faces. Since it was cold we sat around the stove again. One of the women said, "Nothing good ever happens." "All my possessions were washed away." The other women replied, "Next year will be better."
避難所での消灯時間は22時ですが、大晦日だけ特別にロビーのテレビだけ25時まで見れるように、とスタッフが調整しました。避難所で年を越す方々は全部で80名弱。それに加え、浸水しなかった自宅の2階や慣れない地域の仮設住宅などで2020年を迎える方々がたくさんいます。どんな思いで新年を迎えるのだろう。
Every day at 10 PM, the lights are turned off for the night at the shelter. But for New Year's Eve, the staff negotiated so that the residents can leave the TV on in the lobby until 1 AM. Around 80 people will be ringing in the new year at the shelter. People living on the 2nd floor of their homes as a result of water damage on the 1st floor, as well as people living in unfamiliar regions in temporary housing will also be welcoming in the new year in these far-from-normal settings. I wonder what they will feel as 2019 ends and 2020 begins.
まだまだ作業が必要な場所が多く、サポートが必要な人がたくさんいます。今回初めて災害支援に携わりました。実際に行って、自分の目で状況を見て、直接人と話すことで状況を知って、そのことを自分で考えることの大切さを感じました。自分のできることは本当に限られているが、ほんの少しでも誰かの力になれたと信じたい。今回出会った被災者、ボランティア、スタッフの方々への感謝と尊敬の気持ちでいっぱいです。
There are still lots of homes and areas that need work, and lots of people in need of support. This was my first time becoming involved in disaster relief volunteerism. I realized the importance of actually visiting the areas in need and seeing the situation with my own eyes. The importance of speaking directly with people affected and learning the situation. The importance of thinking about what I can do as an individual to help. There isn't a lot I can do, but I'd like to believe that I was able to help in my own way during my week in Iwaki. I'm so grateful to all of the residents, volunteers, and staff that I met this week.
私は「12月29日まで。」と終わりの日付が決まっていて、帰れる家があります。でもそうじゃない人がたくさんいます。災害支援には終わりの日付はありません。これからどんどん寒くなります。でも支援は続きます。そのためにはまだまだたくさんのボランティアの力が必要です。
I knew I would only be in Iwaki until December 29th. I had an end-date, and then I would return home. But most people don't have an end-date, and they don't have a home to return to. There is no end-date to disaster relief. Relief efforts will continue. And for relief efforts to continue, the dedication of volunteers is invaluable.
ボランティア募集の詳細はこちら↓
For more information on how to become a volunteer see below!
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