Report on Disaster Relief Activities at Welfare Shelters Set Up After a Major Earthquake in an Aging Society

Summary: The aim of this presentation is to clarify the activities of the NPO Emergency Medical Team (EMT) during the Noto Peninsula earthquake and to systematize the functions and improve the effectiveness of EMT activities in future mega-disasters. All the activities of the EMT have been systematically summarized, including the EMT’s construction and zoning of evacuation centers, as well as descriptions of medical activities for oral care, pressure injuries, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and medication management, mainly for the elderly, who were 65% of clinic visitors. The Noto Peninsula earthquake was characterized by a rapidly aging population and complex medical and epidemiological issues. We collaborated with various professional organizations and institutions, including the local medical association, to emphasize the importance of zoning in evacuation shelters and medical care, particularly for oral care, pressure injuries, and DVT, in preparation for future mega-disasters.