Natural disasters come when you least expect them.
It has been several days since the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1st, and even here in Toyama, there are people who are unable to resume their usual lives due to the earthquake. In the northern part of Himi City, water supply has yet to be restored, and swift recovery is eagerly anticipated.
In this situation, I cannot help but express deep gratitude to the Self-Defense Forces, police, firefighters, and others who are actively working in the cold rain.
Personally, during the New Year’s holiday, I was visiting my parents in Chiba, and at the time of the earthquake, I was in Aeon Lake Town, said to be the largest in Japan, located in Koshigaya City, Saitama. I was enchanted by the magic of Aeon and found myself going to Aeon no matter where I went.
Curry Relief operation with English teacher
Impromptu idea for a curry relief
As mentioned earlier, water shortages persist in Himi City, affecting a considerable number of people who are now in evacuation centers or facing disruptions in their daily lives. We, Iron Will English, teach English on behalf of Himi City’s after-school programs. Upon receiving a proposal from our instructor Eman, who we always rely on, expressing the desire to do something for Himi City facing difficulties, we decided to organize a relief cooking event.
The main dish was her native Indian curry called “Karahi Curry” (there were no side dishes). The name “Karahi” refers to a pot that looks like a tempura pan, and it is named after this pot used in cooking.
The idea was raised on Friday afternoon, and with extremely urgent preparations and implementation, it was more of a spontaneous decision. A total of seven people, including Eman and myself, participated. Two of them came from Oyama and Yasu, both quite a distance away in Toyama City, to join us.
This relief cooking was jointly organized by the voluntary group “Act Globally Himi,” of which I am also the vice president, and the “Himi Kitokito Children’s Cafeteria Network,” which runs children’s cafeterias in Himi.
As indicated in the support supplies in the above photo, we received various items, including water, emergency food, and snacks, from Ryounji Temple in Takaoka City. In the end, despite the chaotic preparations, we managed to serve around 120 people (some received less, so more people enjoyed the meal than initially expected).
There was too much to do on-site, and we didn’t have the chance to speak directly with the victims after they ate. I wondered, “Was it delicious? Did they enjoy it?” However, watching the footage from the television interview, I felt relieved.
We may organizing similar in Noto .
Except for water, other infrastructures are operational, and with the efforts of the city and various businesses, water supply recovery is imminent. Additionally, the economy is also functioning, so this relief cooking in Toyama Prefecture may be the first and last. Looking ahead, we are considering organizing a similar event on the Ishikawa Prefecture side of the Noto Peninsula after the road conditions have improved (please support us if possible).
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