World in Peace continues to provide financial support in collaboration with Ofunato Yorisoi Mirai Net, a local organization assisting people affected by the wildfires in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture.
Ofunato Yorisoi Mirai Net is a voluntary group founded by local NPOs and lawyers who have long been involved in disaster relief and food support following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Working together with Food Bank Iwate, Kyosei Ofunato, and lawyers from the Iwate Bar Association, the group offers free consultations on a wide range of issues such as housing reconstruction, housing loans, inheritance, employment and income loss, and challenges related to children and family life, regardless of whether individuals suffered direct physical damage to their homes.
In the large-scale forest fire that broke out on February 26 in Ofunato City, approximately 2,900 hectares were burned, and damage to 210 buildings was confirmed. To support residents and business owners in rebuilding their lives and resuming their work, the organization has been providing free consultation services.
A consultation desk is opened every Friday, where staff listen carefully to the concerns and anxieties of affected residents. So far, around 50 consultations have been received, many of which have either been resolved or are being supported on an ongoing basis. These efforts have been recognized by local authorities, and in May 2025, a dedicated consultation booth was established inside Ofunato City Hall.
About half of the consultations came from people whose homes were not directly damaged, but who lost warehouses, fishing equipment, or tools essential for their work—leaving them unable to continue earning an income. By conveying these voices to Iwate Prefecture and Ofunato City, a new support system was created, allowing financial assistance to be provided even to those whose homes were not destroyed. In addition, the team continues to visit temporary housing and hold information sessions at evacuation centers, carefully listening to voices from the field. Just last month, they also welcomed an inspection visit from the Cabinet Office of Japan.
The support we receive from all of you is used thoughtfully for direct, on-the-ground assistance, such as covering gasoline costs for staff visiting affected households and purchasing tea for people who come to consultation sessions. These small but essential expenses help ensure that support reaches those who need it most.
World in Peace will continue working closely with local partners, standing alongside each individual as they rebuild their lives, and carrying the voices of affected communities to the broader society.
We sincerely thank you for your continued understanding and warm support.
