To help the people affected by the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, we are accepting donations to the supporting fund as follows. We sincerely thank everyone for their warm support. The supporting funds that you provide will be used for supporting prefectural associations of occupational therapists in the affected prefectures or as funds for disaster relief volunteer activities conducted by the Association in connection with the above, and to secure financial resources for the purchase of material goods assistance.
Based on the provisions in Article 2 No. 2 of "Regulations on the Support of Occupational Therapy Associations in Prefectures Affected by Disasters," we accept requests for exemption from membership fees in the fiscal year 2016 due to the Kumamoto earthquake. Please send the exemption application form attached to the Disaster Victim Certificate (risai shomeisho) (Copy) issued by the local government to the association office.
Target: As a general rule, fee exemption may be claimed by a member himself/herself if his/her place of residence at the time of the earthquake was afflicted, whether completely or partially destroyed. However, it does not cover a "family home" where he/she is not residing.
The support activities for the victims of the Kumamoto earthquake provided by rehabilitation professionals are currently being supervised by the JRAT (Japan Rehabilitation Assistance Team). As the JRAT is taking a lead in these activities, the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists (JAOT), which is affiliated to it, will also promote disaster relief activities in cooperation with the JRAT.
President Haruki Nakamura of the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists (JAOT) spoke to Chairman Seigo Uchida of the Kumamoto Association of Occupational Therapists (KAOT), at 9:30 pm on April 14 (Thursday) immediately after the earthquake occurred and conveyed his sympathy. He also offered to share information and necessary support at any time in the future.
On April 15 (Friday) at 7:30 am, JAOT President Nakamura received information from Dr. Masaki Kurihara, the representative of the Japan Rehabilitation Assistance Team (JRAT), to the effect that the JRAT headquarters were launched, and conveyed this to KAOT Chairman Uchida over the phone.
At 9:33 am on the same day, KAOT Chairman Uchida contacted JAOT President Nakamura to the effect that the KAOT had launched the Disaster Prevention Office at 6 am, and that they were currently confirming the safety of their members.
At 10:00 am on the same day, according to a decision taken by JAOT President Nakamura, the JAOT set up a disaster response headquarters. A sympathy statement was sent by e-mail to the OT Associations of seven prefectures in Kyushu with President Nakamura and Disaster Prevention Office Chief Akemi Kayama as joint signatories.
At 2:00 pm on the same day, JAOT dispatched office clerks to the disaster response headquarters set up by the JRAT.