Emergency assistance responding to requests from damaged countries and international organizations

When large-scale disasters occur, it is sometimes difficult for damaged countries to assist the victims and protect the environment and material values because of personnel and resource limitations. To prevent the disaster from becoming multiple and complex through the occurrence of secondary and subsequent disasters, it is necessary to provide swift international assistance. In order to respond to requests from the governments of disaster-stricken countries or international organizations, Japan has established a system of international emergency assistance to provide financial, personnel, and material assistance.

Emergency grant assistance for disaster victims, refugees, and displaced persons

Emergency grant assistance, which is provided either directly to the government of a damaged country or through an international assistance organization, is a form of humanitarian assistance to help disaster victims, refugees, or displaced persons. In view of the emergency and humanitarian nature of this assistance, it is implemented swiftly with flexible and extremely simplified procedures.

A member of the medical team at work after a hurricane in Solomon

Speedy relief activities on both personnel and material sides

Relief team providing assistance at the site of a collapsed building in Malaysia

To provide personnel and material assistance for relief activities, medical care, damage mitigation, and rehabilitation activities, Japan engages in the dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Teams and the supply of necessary materials. Since it is essential to make a quick response, Japan has established a system whereby it is possible to dispatch a rescue team within 24 hours of receiving a request from a disaster-suffering country and a medical team within 48 hours. Furthermore, in order to ensure an even more prompt supply of relief materials, Japan is prepared for emergency assistance around the world, by setting up storage depots with materials and equipment in the following five places: Narita (Japan), Singapore, Mexico City, Pisa (Italy), and the outskirts of Washington (United States).
From September 1987, when the Law Concerning the Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Teams was enforced, to October 1995, Japan dispatched 23 disaster relief teams, with 254 members, to 17 disaster sites and supplied the equivalent of about 2.8 billion yen in material assistance to a total of 105 countries. In addition, Japan has extended emergency grant assistance to a total of 114 countries. These efforts by Japan have received high praise from the governments of damaged countries, victims, and international organizations.

Emergency Relief Record (9.1987-10.1995)