HIKAWA, KUMAMOTO PREF. ¨C Volunteers have fully started their activities in Kumamoto Prefecture, which was hit hard by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake late last month.
While the prefectural government initially called on volunteers to refrain from visiting affected areas as necessary preparations had not yet been made, all 11 municipalities seeking volunteers had begun procedures to accept such supporters by Thursday. Volunteer centers have been set up in the 11 towns and villages.
As of 2 p.m. Saturday, 1,751 people were working as volunteers in afflicted areas.
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