Were evacuation centers not 'safe places'? Experienced survivors share the harsh, unvarnished reality.

Do you know the true nature of what an evacuation center is?

Hello.

When a major disaster occurs, don't you have a somewhat warm image that if you go to an evacuation center, there will be warm blankets and food, and everyone will help each other?

Of course, the Japanese spirit of mutual aid is wonderful.

However, when you listen to the real voices of those who were actually affected by a disaster and spent days or months in an evacuation center, a 'harsh daily life' that is not written in textbooks was spreading there.

This time, I will talk extensively about the reality of evacuation centers, which only those who have experienced them know, and the wisdom to protect yourself and your precious family there.

It will be a bit of a long read, but knowing this or not will dramatically change your sense of security at 'that time'.

Please, as a 'preparation' to protect your loved ones, try reading through to the end at your own pace.

It is not just physical strength that the gymnasium floor takes away

The first thing you face is physical pain.

Many school gymnasiums are designated as evacuation centers, but the hardness of that floor is beyond imagination.

Just by sleeping on the cold, hard floor for one night, many people will have severe pain in their lower back and back the next morning, making it impossible for them to get up.

Especially for those with lower back pain or the elderly, this environment is as harsh as life-threatening.

If you have the leeway to evacuate by car from your home, be sure to pack camping mats, thick blankets, and if possible, simple folding beds.

The complacency of thinking 'one night will be fine' will rob you of the physical strength to support your subsequent evacuation life.

If you don't have time to prepare, just layering several pieces of cardboard to create a layer of air can slightly soften the cold and hardness.

When goodwill disappears. Be prepared that what you lend will not come back

In an evacuation center, everyone has lost their peace of mind in an extreme state.

You may be asked, 'I don't have enough blankets, can you lend me one?' or 'Can you lend me a heater?'

However, it is not uncommon for things you have lent once to be 're-lent' and go missing, or to be returned in tatters.

The sadness of thinking, 'I was so kind to them,' can be an overwhelming blow to an already exhausted heart during a disaster.

Survivors sternly advise, 'Consider anything you bring out in public as public property.'

The golden rule is to never show or bring out anything precious that you do not want to lose in the first place.

If you absolutely must lend something, you need the strong mindset that you won't regret it even if it never comes back.

The hidden side of the quiet battle over power outlets

In modern evacuation life, charging your smartphone is a lifeline for information.

However, the number of power outlets on the walls of a shelter is limited, leading to intense competition for them.

It is not uncommon to see someone who has secured a spot monopolizing it to watch videos for hours on end.

In such cases, an extension cord and a power strip are useful for avoiding trouble.

Instead of monopolizing one outlet, you can suggest, 'Why don't we share this together?'

Asking 'Please let me use the outlet' is far more likely to cause friction than saying 'Please, let's use this together,' which helps build good relationships with those around you.

Even a cheap one from a dollar store will do; just tucking one into the corner of your backpack will significantly improve the quality of your life in the shelter.

The fear of darkness and lecherous gazes faced by women

From here on, I must discuss a very painful but essential topic of 'safety' that we must never turn a blind eye to.

Unfortunately, a shelter can sometimes look like a 'place where targets are densely packed' to criminals.

In particular, incidents where women and children are victimized while using the restroom at night or behind cardboard partitions are endless.

Please discard the assumption that 'there is no way anyone would do such a thing at a time like this' immediately.

It is not only young women who become victims.

There are despicable perpetrators who target women who let their guard down thinking, 'I'm old now,' taking advantage of situations where it is difficult to cry for help.

There are even terrifying accounts of people waking up at night to find a stranger's face right next to their own.

Keep a personal alarm within reach at all times, and never go anywhere alone at night.

Even if it is a local evacuation center, staying vigilant in a place where many strangers gather is key to protecting yourself.

How to face the fear of being watched

Even if partitions are set up in the evacuation center, you cannot let your guard down.

There have been reports of people staring through the slightest gaps in cardboard or fabric partitions.

Even in the chaos of a disaster, there are those who will engage in voyeurism out of sexual curiosity.

When securing a place to sleep, try to choose a spot near trusted acquaintances or families.

If you are evacuating alone, try to find other women in similar situations and suggest acting as a group.

Also, for daily activities like changing clothes or washing your face, it is important to use a poncho or similar item to keep yourself hidden from view.

Keeping yourself out of sight is one of the best defenses against becoming a target.

The secret to managing valuables: Keep them on your person and hidden

There is no such thing as security at an evacuation center.

Leaving your wallet or bankbook in a bag while you go to the restroom or sleep is extremely dangerous.

The best recommendation is to wear clothing with many pockets, like a fishing vest, and keep all your valuables on your body.

Even when sleeping, keeping that clothing on will minimize the risk of theft.

Valuable pouches that can be hidden under clothes or cases worn around the neck are also effective, but be careful that they are not visible from the outside.

Additionally, using a padlock or a bicycle wire lock on large luggage to secure it to a pillar or heavy object is another option.

Simply making it look like your belongings are a hassle to steal is enough to have a deterrent effect.

Why the smell of food creates invisible enemies

In fact, eating at an evacuation center requires subtle manners and strategy.

People often say, 'Keep cup noodles or curry as emergency food,' but in a shelter where many people are gathered, it is safer to avoid these.

This is because the 'strong, appetizing aroma' can easily invite resentment from those around you who are hungry and irritable.

The feeling of 'we are suffering, yet they are eating something luxurious' becomes extremely suffocating in a small, confined community.

Also, it is not uncommon for the appetizing smell to lead to 'begging trouble,' where people ask you to share some of your food.

If you must eat in a shelter, nutritional supplements like 'Calorie Mate' are best, as they have little odor and can be eaten quietly and discreetly.

Save hot meals or strong-smelling foods for when you are sheltering at home or when things have calmed down.

Evacuating with pets. The reality of choosing to sleep in your car

Pets are family members, but the reality is that it is still difficult to accept them in shelters.

Even if they are accepted, issues like barking or shedding can make you feel self-conscious and unwelcome as you worry about those around you.

Also, since some evacuees have severe animal allergies, this is a common point of conflict.

Many pet owners choose to 'sleep in their cars' in the shelter parking lot.

Privacy is maintained, and pets can feel a bit more at ease when they are with their owners.

However, you must take separate measures against economy class syndrome, as well as the heat in summer and the cold in winter.

Researching temporary foster volunteers and pet-specific evacuation information in advance is what will protect your beloved partner.

The pros and cons of 'mom friend' groups. Cooperation or exclusion?

In shelters, some people feel alienated when existing groups, such as 'mom friend' circles, band together to monopolize information or share supplies among themselves.

However, looking at it from the other side, that cooperative relationship is also the wisdom needed to survive a harsh environment.

There is a limit to how much one person can handle on their own.

Having someone watch your belongings or sharing information with each other is vital.

Daily neighborly relations and community ties become your 'strongest defense' in the event of a disaster.

If you are alone and feeling anxious, try to summon the courage to greet a group that seems friendly.

By showing an attitude of 'I'll help if there's anything I can do,' you should be able to transition from being someone who needs protection to being a member of a support network.

The importance of earplugs and eye masks for protecting your autonomic nervous system

Nights at an evacuation center are never quiet.

The snoring of the person next to you, the crying of babies, whispers born of anxiety, and the constant sound of footsteps.

These noises will slowly wear down your autonomic nervous system.

Many experienced survivors assert that 'earplugs and eye masks are essential.'

Blocking out sight and sound to create your own quiet space within your mind.

That is the only way to secure the sleep you need to survive until tomorrow.

However, there is a downside: wearing earplugs makes it harder to notice unusual events around you.

For security, if you are with family, consider taking turns using them, or try using only one earplug.

A carry-on suitcase can become a 'movable wall' in an evacuation center

Finally, I would like to share some interesting wisdom taught to me by an experienced survivor.

It is the method of bringing a 'lockable carry-on suitcase' to the evacuation center.

It is less likely to be stolen compared to a backpack, and if you place items on top, it can serve as a table.

Furthermore, it can be used as a chair to sit on, and there is even a theory that if flooding occurs, you can empty it and use it as a makeshift life preserver.

Above all, just by placing it at the edge of your space, it acts as a solid 'wall.'

While there is a concern that it might be heavy when fleeing, it has the advantage of being able to be rolled along on flat ground.

Depending on the situation, you might want to consider using it in combination with a backpack.

Conclusion: Equip yourself with the strongest armor, which is knowledge

Thank you very much for reading this far.

Learning about the harsh reality of evacuation centers might have made you feel a little scared.

However, feeling scared is by no means a bad thing.

That fear is what leads to concrete actions, such as asking yourself, 'So, how should I prepare?'

We never know when a disaster will strike, but knowledge becomes a strong armor that protects you from this very moment.

An evacuation center is not a place you go to as a 'guest,' but a place of survival where you must desperately protect your own safety and that of those around you.

I hope this story serves as a small signpost to help protect you and someone dear to you.

May your daily life continue to be wrapped in true peace of mind.

Let's prepare together, one step at a time.