Humanitarian Assistance / Emergency Assistance

February 10, 2025
Japanese

When MOFA receives a request for assistance from the government of a disaster-affected country or an international organization and finds it appropriate to dispatch a JDR team, MOFA consults with the ministries and agencies concerned for obtaining cooperation in dispatching a JDR Team under the Law Concerning Dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Team (entered into force on September 16, 1987 and last amended on December 22, 2006). Dispatch and other necessary tasks are carried out by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) following an order by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

While the Act on Cooperation for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Other Operations (the International Peace Cooperation Law or PKO Law), which was enforced and promulgated in 1992, covers conflict-related disasters, other natural and man-made disasters such as gas explosions are treated under the Law Concerning Dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Team.

There are five types of JDR teams. One or more types of the teams are dispatched as appropriate.

JDR Dispatch Team

Team Type Composition Activities Duration
Urban Search and Rescue Team
  • MOFA, JICA, National Police Agency,
    Fire and Disaster Management Agency,
    Japan Coast Guard, a medical unit and
    structure experts registered to the team.
  • Approx. 75 members (Heavy)
  • Urban search and rescue through INSARAG guidelines and methodologies
 Approx. 1-2 weeks
Medical Team
  • MOFA, JICA and medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.(Registered to the team)
  • Approx. 18 members (Type 1 Mobile), 27 members (Type 1 Fix), 69 members (Type 2)
  • Emergency medical services in line with WHO
  • Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) guidelines
 Approx. 2 weeks - 1 month
Infectious Diseases Response Team
  • MOFA, JICA and medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, scientists, etc.(Registered to the team)
  • Number of members will depend on each case.
  • Supporting efforts in minimizing damages from outbreaks of infectious diseases by infection route control and/or medical care to the infected
 Depends on each case
Expert Team
  • Experts form government and private organizations
  • Number of members will depend on each case.
  • Providing advices for disaster emergency measures or early recovery in a specific area/issue
 Approx. 1-2 weeks
Self Defense Force Unit
  • Ground, Maritime, Air Self-Defense Forces with self-sufficient function.
  • The scale will depend on each case.
  • Rescue, medical care (including disinfection), water supply, air and sea transportation
 Approx. 2 weeks -2 months
(record base)
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