A Sapporo-based association providing support to people with rare and intractable diseases is planning to establish its own shelter early next year allowing people with special needs to find a safe place in the event of an emergency.
The group came up with the idea based on lessons from a magnitude 6.7 quake that hit Hokkaido on Sept. 6, 2018, with the epicenter in the eastern Iburi region. The quake posed unique challenges to people with disabilities, many of whom faced additional inconvenience at standard evacuation centers that were unprepared to cater to people with special needs.
The group plans to set up an evacuation center at a facility for patients with intractable diseases, aiming to prepare space for 50 people.