Do you know about Vieques? After the U.S. Navy withdrew from the island in 2003, it became one of the most popular travel destinations in Puerto Rico. A quick 30-minute flight from San Juan takes you to this beautiful island. The pristine beaches offer a soothing escape, and the intense sunshine fills you with energy.

I visited Vieques in December 2017, just two months after the devastating Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. The Category 5 storm wreaked havoc at the end of September, causing significant damage across the country. Vieques was no exception. Public infrastructure was down, many homes were destroyed, and there was a severe shortage of essential supplies like food, fuel, and water. Though recovery efforts were underway, the challenges were still great, and experts warned that the road to full recovery would be long.

Everyone I spoke to said that the island had been completely changed.

Our lives were also completely changed after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The massive earthquake triggered a powerful tsunami and caused the nuclear disaster at Fukushima. I clearly remember the overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear that gripped us all. Seven years have passed since then, but the issues surrounding the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident have never been fully resolved. The grief left deep scars on our hearts, and time hasn’t healed all the wounds. We’re still struggling to cope with this unprecedented situation.

Power was eventually restored (but only intermittently), and people began the daunting task of clearing the rubble. No matter how heavy their hearts were, they knew they had to do something to survive. There were few tourists, but they had to prepare to welcome visitors again. It’s clear that reforming the town will be a long and difficult process. And perhaps the most challenging part of all is that it may take a very long time to heal a broken heart.

As we, the Japanese, were able to rebuild our cities and restore vitality with the support and cheers from friends overseas, the people of Vieques also need help. They need companionship to win this long battle. I share the scenes I witnessed with the hope that through these photos, someone will take action to support them.

I hope that peace will return to their hearts once again.