The 4th "National Forum on Cooperation in Disasters" was held in Tokyo by the Japan Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (JVOAD) in which JCCU participated, from May 21-22, 2019.

The forum which is held annually since 2016 is cosponsored by the Director General for Disaster Management of Cabinet Office. This year, under the theme of "Creating a Culture of Disaster Relief," organizations and individuals involved in disaster relief efforts nationwide participated in the opening ceremony, the whole session, and in 20 subcommittee meetings. The purpose is to create opportunities for increasing support in event of a disaster, to share specialized knowledge and know-how and to advance collaboration among the groups.

During the second subcommittee meeting that highlighted on “Various support activities and issues of disaster relief volunteer centers”, Mr. FUKUO Taihei, Okayama Co-op Members' Activity Staff, reported on the disaster relief volunteer centers’ activities during the July 2018 West Japan Heavy Rain. He also introduced the activities of Okayama Co-op at the time of disaster, reconstruction and the aftermath. Through discussions the speakers deepened their thoughts on the importance of support by residents at the disaster relief volunteer centers.

(Center) Mr. FUKUO Taihei, Members ’Activity Staff, Okayama Co-op

In the 17th subcommittee meeting with the theme "What happens in case of emergency? Your food and nutrition", MATSUBARA Yoshiaki, Sustainability Dept. of JCCU introduced the social activities by co-ops nationwide with the aim of realizing a sustainable society". In the same subcommittee, a relay talk on food and nutrition issues during disasters was also held by the speakers. In addition, JCCU provided “CO・OP Thick Vegetable Juice” to the participants which was received with much appreciation. Participants commented that “the vegetable juice can make up for the shortage of vegetables especially in the evacuation shelters”.

(Left) Introduction of social activities of co-ops nationwide / (Right) MATSUBARA Yoshiaki, Sustainability Dept. of JCCU introducing "CO・OP Thick Vegetable Juice"

JCCU held a booth exhibition to introduce reconstruction support activities by co-ops nationwide and proposed a disaster prevention stockpile example to be prepared with CO・OP Brand Products.