Help after a natural disaster

Help after a major natural disaster

The Japanese government is responsible for assisting all affected people, including  foreigners, immediately after a major earthquake or serious natural disaster. If a large earthquake occurs in Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Government will set up Information Centre for Foreign Residents and dispatch volunteer interpreters to disaster shelters. A number of other local authorities have similar systems for foreign nationals. Please check your local government’s website for further details,

Embassy help after a major natural disaster

In the event of a major natural disaster we will try to establish whether any British Nationals have been involved and will assist people affected. If appropriate and possible, we will visit the affected areas, and provide on-the-spot assistance.

We also aim to contact British Nationals in affected areas who have registered on LOCATE, our on-line registration service.  We can, if you want us to,pass information of your welfare back to family and friends overseas via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

For family and friends of victims

In all kinds of major catastrophe, we aim to provide a reliable link with both victims and the family members who contact us. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will normally provide special phone numbers. The FCO can provide more phone lines immediately after a catastrophe, and have an agreement with the UK police to use their call centres if necessary.

After initial contact, we will try to stay in touch with the most appropriate family member (normally the next of kin). We recognise that a lack of information can cause more anxiety so we aim to provide information throughout these kinds of catastrophes.

But, we will pass on only what we are confident are reliable facts – anything else is likely to cause more confusion and distress. Using our online registration system, ‘LOCATE’ (add link)helps us to gain reliable information.

If you are aware that a relative or friend is in the area affected by a catastrophe, you may also want to consider the following suggestions from families of previous catastrophe victims.

• Try to find out the exact location of your relative or friend – for example, by checking their itinerary and trying to contact them on hotel and mobile numbers.
• Nominate one family member to act as a contact for any authorities, including contacting our helpline. Agree a list of relevant information about your relative or friend which they should have close to hand. This should include their full name and date of birth, passport number, details of travel (tour company, travel insurance) and the names of anyone else travelling with them.
• Think carefully before you travel to the area affected, particularly if the catastrophe has affected local services, transport and so on. You may find that, because of a lack of transport or accommodation, you end up needing help yourself. Each catastrophe is different, but in some cases you can achieve more by staying in the UK and consulting us and other organisations. Consult other people and organisations before making a decision. Websites such as www.disasteraction.org.uk can be useful.

The Warden Network

The British Embassy in Tokyo and the Consulate-General in Osaka have set up a warden network – a group of   volunteers  who can assist us in emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, these volunteers would act as a link to the British community in their area, distributing information and reporting back to either the Embassy or Consulate-General. Please visit our warden pages for more information on the network, and if you are interested in volunteering,