Study visit in Hyogo for Naganuma Community Development Committee reps [Japan]
From the 10th to 12th September, three people representing the Naganuma Community Development Committee were invited to visit Hyogo Prefecture as part of Disaster Recovery Lectures. Naganuma district was devastated by Typhoon Hagibis in 2018 when their levees were destroyed along Chikuma river.
The delegates visited previously flood-stricken areas in Hyogo Prefecture (Toyooka city, Tamba city, and Sayo municipality) to see and discuss how respective communities achieved what they wanted (needed) in the course of disaster recovery.
As depopulation is a huge issue in rural areas in Japan, we cannot let disaster-affected individuals leave their homes and let their communities decline. In order to sustain their endeared hometowns, interactions with people outside their towns with a prospect of continued relationships, communications, and encouraged migration, are essential action steps. It was shared by the hosts of the visits that they engage in increasing the number of fans and friends, therefore funds, for the advancement of their projects, organizations, and finances.
The hosts from the three towns arranged various practitioners of disaster recovery and community development who shared their knowledge and expertise.
Prior to this visit, the participants attended a fundraising workshop supported by Dr. Yasutaka Ueda, Associate Professor of Niigata University and Certified Fundraiser of Japan Fundraising Association.
