Hundreds of people lined up, sometimes for over an hour, to receive food as electricity and water supplies to tens of thousands of households remained cut off following the powerful earthquakes in southern Japan.
 |
| Approximately 110,000 people were evacuated following earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. An aerial image shows residents lining up to receive aid from the Self-Defense Forces in the town of Mashiki on April 15. Photo: AFP |
 |
| Two women direct evacuees to line up for drinks and food in the town of Mashiki, one of the towns hardest hit by the earthquake, with 20 deaths. Photo: Kyodo |
 |
| Local residents lined up in long queues. "Yesterday, I only ate a piece of tofu and a handful of rice. That's all," said the mayor of one of the affected areas. "What we're most worried about right now is food. There's neither electricity nor water." Photo: AP |
 |
| The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck early morning on April 16th killed at least 33 people and injured 1,000, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, and homes. This was the second strong earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture in just 48 hours. The first, which occurred on the evening of April 14th, killed nine people. Meanwhile, 11 people remain missing. (Photo: Kyodo) |
 |
| Of the more than 500 earthquakes that have struck Kyushu Island since April 14, over 70 were classified as at least a level 4 on Japan's intensity scale, strong enough to shake buildings. |
 |
| Residents receive rice balls from Self-Defense Force soldiers at the Mashiki town office. Photo: AFP |
 |
| Yesterday, evacuees received relief supplies at the entrance of Kumamoto City Hall, the capital of Kumamoto Prefecture. Photo: AFP |
 |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today he wants to declare the area a disaster zone as soon as possible. "We want to continue our rescue and relief efforts, prioritizing human lives above all else," he told parliament. (Photo: AFP) |
 |
| Food supplies are insufficient as roads are cut off by landslides. Photo: AFP |
According to VNE
