Starting with a magnitude-6.5 quake on April 14, a series of major earthquakes have hit the central Kumamoto area of Japan, causing deaths, injuries and widespread damage to the area's residences and infrastructure. As aftershocks continue, tens of thousands of people have moved into evacuation centers which are doing their best to support the evacuees' needs.

Here is a list of info for people in the area and ways you can help the survivors.

Evacuee services

Kumamoto City International Center

The center is offering shelter to non-Japanese residents, plus multilingual translation assistance.

Kumamoto Volunteer Center (Japanese language)

Bath facilities free to evacuees (Japanese language; note; many have had to close)

Communications/info

Google person finder

Lost touch with someone? Find them here or register your whereabouts.

Free Wi-Fi spots in Kumamoto

Japan's three major carriers are participating.

Safety tips from Japan Tourism Agency

Free calls on Line app

Line Out allows free domestic calls for up to 10 minutes.

Shelter

Financial donations

Multiple charities are accepting donations to go toward various forms of aid and support. Please consult the organizations' FAQs carefully before donating. The Japan Times has no official relationship with any of these organizations.

Other ways to show show your support

Ginza Kumamoto-kan

Kumamoto Prefecture's official flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, has been swamped with customers since the quake, as Tokyoites have sought to demonstrate their support for the quake-hit prefecture by buying Kumamoto produce.