Japan Immigration News

Immigration center detainees on temp. release aid disaster relief in quake-hit central Japan

Release Date: 2024-05-27
Media: The Mainichi
Summary: A group of foreign nationals on provisional release from Japan's immigration detention centers, including a 46-year-old refugee applicant from Uganda named Williams, traveled to disaster-stricken Anamizu in Ishikawa Prefecture to volunteer after the January 1 earthquake. Normally, those on provisional release are restricted to their prefecture, but with the help of activist Akemi Mano and approval from immigration authorities, Williams and others were granted temporary permission to leave Aichi Prefecture.

The group, consisting of people from Uganda, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uzbekistan, arrived in Anamizu in early May. They helped set up a soup kitchen to serve local survivors, offering dishes from their home countries like Ugandan curry and Uzbek pilaf. Local residents appreciated the meals and the opportunity to connect with the volunteers.

Williams, who had been deeply affected by the earthquake's devastation, expressed a strong desire to assist others, drawing from his own traumatic experiences in Uganda during the civil war. The volunteers shared a common sentiment of wanting to help despite their own challenges as people on provisional release.

The experience reinforced their determination to contribute to the community and support the recovery efforts in the affected areas, with Williams planning to return for further volunteer work.
Tags: Earthquake,Refugee Status

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