2024 Noto Earthquake

My name is Justin Whittinghill. You may have read about my family's time in a shelter in Noto in the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake (full article here). We were visiting from out of town when the 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck, and we got through the next several days only because of the generosity of the local people in the shelter with us. As visitors there, we had little to contribute. We arrived at the shelter on foot and with very little in hand. The few families with whom we shared the space provided us with food from their shattered homes, diapers for our one-year-old son, and ultimately a trip back to our own home further south, untouched by the damage.

Now, safe and secure, we realize how we only toured the crisis that they continue to live through. We are intent on repaying their kindness, personally and directly, from our family to each of theirs. This GoFundMe is a way to add to what we are already giving.

On Donations:

In seeking out ways to direct donations from the US to the Noto area, I was frustrated again and again. I personally support the Japan Red Cross Society (we slept under their blankets), but their donation page has limited English options. They encourage donations to the Red Cross in your region, which I fully support, but I had also hoped to specifically help those who had helped us, as we could do nothing in return for them at the time.

As I looked into other relief efforts, I kept running into the same language issues limiting the ability to donate from overseas. Even GoFundMe itself isn't available in Japan. I maintain a domicile in the US, though, and a bank account, so I realized that I'm able to collect funds there and transfer them for use in Japan.

Our plan:

My mother-in-law is from the region of Noto where we sheltered after the earthquake, so we have contact with the families in the community through her. Over the coming weeks and months, as transportation and mail to Noto become more regular, my wife Ayumi and I will be sending gifts of food, home goods, and money as need dictates in the changing situation. We want to repay the handful of families who got us through the ordeal, and we'll also be directing funds to the community meeting hall that served as our shelter.

We owe an enormous debt to the people of Noto. We welcome you to multiply the money we repay.