Jul 18, 2020 (NHK) - NHK has learned communities affected by recent torrential rains are facing a lack of volunteers because of concerns over the coronavirus.
Japan National Council of Social Welfare says that there is growing demand in disaster-hit areas for volunteers who will help clear away mud and remove furniture from flooded houses.
The organization says 18 volunteer centers have been set up in six prefectures.
NHK has asked the centers how many people have signed up to volunteer.
Five municipalities in Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Oita prefectures said that more manpower is needed to meet local demand.
An NHK reporter says the attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections is one of the factors behind the shortage. The municipalities accept only those living in the same city or town or within the same prefecture, and they limit the number of volunteers at one location.
An official of a group supporting volunteers in disaster-hit areas, Myojo Tetsuya, said that local governments should not expect a limited number of volunteers to do all the cleanup work.
He said that they need to hire professionals as well.
