Understanding evacuees sleeping in cars: 96% of local governments say it's an issue Jiji Press survey

In response to the Kumamoto Earthquake in July, Jiji Press conducted a survey of prefectures across the country regarding evacuations in cars during disasters, and found on the 30th that 45 prefectures (96%) recognized that ascertaining the whereabouts and number of evacuees is an ``issue.'' In the event of a large-scale disaster, many people choose to sleep in their cars for various reasons. On the other hand, it is difficult for the government to see the situation of the scattered disaster victims, and there is a risk that the necessary support will not reach them.

Many victims of the Kumamoto Earthquake chose to stay in their cars to evacuate due to the environment of evacuation centers and concerns about aftershocks. The survey will run from the middle of this month to the end of this month, targeting all 47 prefectures and asking multiple answers about issues related to sleeping in cars. We received responses from all local governments.

The most common answer was ``Knowing the location and number of people'', and answers other than Tochigi and Tokyo were selected. Reasons cited include dispersion of evacuation sites and movement.

Ishikawa, who experienced the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, points out that ``evacuees who are staying at home or sleeping in their cars'' are ``particularly difficult to understand'' because they are required to make their own requests. Hokkaido said, ``There is a need for a place where people can sleep in their cars, where they can keep an eye on them.''

After understanding whereabouts, the most common responses were ``understanding health conditions and support needs'' (44 prefectures), ``local government personnel/systems'' (40 prefectures), and ``delivering support'' (same). Ehime responded, ``To search for evacuees, it is necessary to actually patrol the area with vehicles,'' and Nagasaki responded, ``If evacuation destinations are dispersed, it will be difficult for aid to reach them.''

Responses tailored to the evacuation environment are also required. In response to the Kumamoto Earthquake, where there were cases of people dying of suspected heatstroke due to sleeping in their cars, Hyogo appealed for the need to take measures against the heat and cold. Nagano said, ``In order to prevent disaster-related deaths, it is important that related organizations work together to understand and share information.''

Taku Kanno, an associate professor at Osaka Public University and an expert on disaster victim support, says that disaster victims will not be prevented from choosing a comfortable evacuation site, but says, ``The question is how to understand who will evacuate and what options we can provide them.''