Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2007
Next PageMain Text > Part II ODA DISBURSEMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2005 > Chapter 2 Details about Japan's ODA > Section 2. Measures for Each of the Priority Issues > 3. Addressing Global Issues > (6) Disaster Reduction and Post-Disaster Reconstruction
(6) Disaster Reduction and Post-Disaster Reconstruction
<Record for FY2006>
In FY2006 Japan's financial cooperation for the disaster reduction and post-disaster reconstruction sector amounted to approximately ¥90.9 billion. This includes grant aid of approximately ¥16.2 billion (to 43 countries), loan aid of around ¥67.7 billion (to seven countries), and about ¥2.9 billion in contributions to international organizations, among others. Examining the bilateral financial cooperation by type of disaster reveals that the proportion related to earthquakes and tsunamis was 17%, for strong winds and floods 13%, and for soil erosion 58%. Viewed by region, 86%, the largest proportion, went to Asia, followed by 7% to Africa and 5% for the Middle East. In the disaster reduction sector Japan dispatched 31 experts, accepted 408 trainees, and conducted 34 technical cooperation projects, among its other efforts. What is more, by way of disbursements for international emergency assistance, Japan dispatched three Japan Disaster Relief Teams and provided emergency relief goods support equivalent to a total value of approximately ¥200 million (in response to 15 overseas disasters).
<Current Status>
Disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, strong winds, heavy rainfalls, floods, landslides, and droughts occur around the world every year. Large-scale disasters not only claim the lives and property of many, but also sometimes cause serious and long-term effects on the overall economic and social systems of the country. Many of the developing countries are particularly vulnerable to disasters, and therefore suffer extremely serious damage. Also, as the poor population often suffer more extensive damage and end up as disaster refugees, prolonged secondary damage such as the deterioration of sanitary conditions and food shortages has become a major problem.
<Japan's Efforts>
Based on the advanced knowledge and technology acquired through past experiences with disasters, Japan is strongly aware of the importance of the disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction sector as well as emergency assistance and is promoting international cooperation activities. In particular, at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe in January 2005 the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 was adopted as the basic guideline for disaster reduction activities by the international community over the following 10 years, and Japan is promoting its world-wide implementation in cooperation with the UN. At the conference Japan announced its Initiative for Disaster Reduction, which represents Japan's basic policies regarding cooperation for disaster reduction through official aid. Japan also expressed its intent to continue to actively support the self-help efforts by developing countries in building a disaster-resilient society through institution building, human resource development, development of economic and social infrastructure and other measures. Furthermore, at the Asian-African Summit which was held in Indonesia in April 2005 Japan announced that it would be providing more than US$2.5 billion over the next five years in assistance for disaster prevention and reconstruction measures, primarily in Asia and Africa. The expectations of the international community toward the role of Japan are heightening further. In FY2006 the Government of Japan established Grant Aid for Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction to enhance disaster prevention and post-disaster reconstruction assistance. So far, grant aid has been committed to Indonesia63 and Guatemala.64
In addition, in February 2007 Japan used grant aid to install a weather radar in Cox's Bazar, a strategic weather observation point in Bangladesh. Doing so has expanded the detection range for rainfall, increased the radar operation rate, and improved the cyclone surveillance capacity of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Indonesia, which was hit by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004, suffered a series of earthquake, tsunami, flood and landslide damage in 2006, including the earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java and the large-scale tsunami on the southwest coast of Java. In response to these disasters, Japan extended various assistances: Specifically, in response to the earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java in May, the Government of Japan dispatched JDR teams (one Medical Team and SDF units) and provided emergency relief goods equivalent to approximately ¥20 million, including tents, water purifiers, generators, and other supplies. It also provided US$4 million in emergency grant aid to the Government of Indonesia and US$1 million in emergency grant aid through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the IFRC). In response to the large-scale tsunami on the southwest coast of Java in July, the Government of Japan provided emergency relief goods equivalent to approximately ¥13 million, including tents, water tanks, and other supplies. Additionally, for the flood and landslide disasters the Government of Japan provided emergency relief goods equivalent to approximately ¥40 million (¥13 million in January 2006, ¥12 million in June 2006, and ¥15 million in February 2007). Indonesia is currently in the recovery and reconstruction phase and Japan is providing support such as the restoration of infrastructure through Grant Aid for Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction and yen loans, as well as reconstruction planning support and psychological care for the victims through technical cooperation.
Japan established the "Joint Committee of Indonesia and Japan on Disaster Reduction" with Indonesia, a country prone to natural disasters, based on the decision by the leaders of the two countries in June 2005. It was co-chaired by government ministers responsible for disaster reduction in the two countries. In July 2006 the Committee completed a report which suggested guidelines for comprehensive and effective means for disaster mitigation and preparedness in Indonesia. Taking into account the importance of disaster mitigation and its challenges presented by this report, Japan will be continuously providing assistance that contributes to strengthening disaster resilience in Indonesia.
Weather radar in Cox's Bazar (Photo: MLIT)
Emergency Assistance to the Philippines
In August 2006 a serious oil spill disaster occurred off the coast of Guimaras Island, Philippines, caused by the sinking of a small-scale oil tanker. Since it caused serious marine pollution, there were grave concerns over the impact on environmental and tourist resources. Therefore, upon receiving a request from the Government of the Philippines, Japan dispatched a Japan Disaster Relief Team. The team contributed to the reconstruction of the afflicted area by providing guidance and advice to the Philippine authorities.
Heavy rain from super typhoon Durian hit the southern Luzon Island on November 30 and December 1 and caused massive mudslides which affected some 25,000 people. Upon receiving the request from the Philippine Government, Japan provided emergency relief goods, such as tents and sleeping mats amounting to the equivalent of approximately ¥20 million. It also provided US$1 million food aid on December 26. Afterwards, follow-up was conducted to monitor if the donated emergency relief goods have soundly reached the victims and were being effectively utilized. It found that while some confusion was observed immediately after the disaster, the emergency relief goods generally have made it to the disaster victims and were utilized effectively. Such follow-ups serve as a means for ensuring the effective implementation of development aid, and it is anticipated that such follow-ups will continue to be actively done.
In August 2006 a serious oil spill disaster occurred off the coast of Guimaras Island, Philippines, caused by the sinking of a small-scale oil tanker. Since it caused serious marine pollution, there were grave concerns over the impact on environmental and tourist resources. Therefore, upon receiving a request from the Government of the Philippines, Japan dispatched a Japan Disaster Relief Team. The team contributed to the reconstruction of the afflicted area by providing guidance and advice to the Philippine authorities.
Heavy rain from super typhoon Durian hit the southern Luzon Island on November 30 and December 1 and caused massive mudslides which affected some 25,000 people. Upon receiving the request from the Philippine Government, Japan provided emergency relief goods, such as tents and sleeping mats amounting to the equivalent of approximately ¥20 million. It also provided US$1 million food aid on December 26. Afterwards, follow-up was conducted to monitor if the donated emergency relief goods have soundly reached the victims and were being effectively utilized. It found that while some confusion was observed immediately after the disaster, the emergency relief goods generally have made it to the disaster victims and were utilized effectively. Such follow-ups serve as a means for ensuring the effective implementation of development aid, and it is anticipated that such follow-ups will continue to be actively done.
To provide bilateral cooperation in the disaster sector, Japan has also been providing assistance regarding software such as human resource development, in addition to assistance regarding hardware, such as economic and social infrastructure development. As an example of a specific case, Japan initiated a technical cooperation project designed to improve the emergency response capacity following a projected large earthquake in Tehran, the capital of the earthquake-prone country of Iran. Iran suffered massive damage as a result of the Manjil Earthquake in 1990 (40,000 fatalities) and the Bam Earthquake in 2003 (27,000 fatalities). In recent years there have been concerns that a large earthquake will hit Tehran. In a development study conducted in the past, the results show that if a large-scale earthquake were to hit Tehran, the number of victims produced would stretch into the hundreds of thousands. The project is designed to mitigate the damage following an earthquake in that city. The aim of the project is to create systems and strengthen the capacity of administrative officials to enable administrative bodies to provide prompt and effective emergency responses in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake. The project is also designed to improve community response capabilities by creating plans and improving capacity through training.
Chart II-23. Disbursements in the Disaster Prevention Sector by Type
Chart II-24. Disbursements in the Disaster Prevention Sector by Region
Support for Developing Human Resources in the Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Sector
Since 1962 Japan has carried out International Training on Seismology and Earthquake Engineering65 which invites young researchers and engineers from developing countries to earthquake-prone regions of Japan. The trainees who have completed the training are remarkably successful in the seismology and earthquake engineering sector after they return to their countries, and their contributions are highly praised. From FY2005 this will be upgraded to a training course in which it is possible to obtain a masters degree in collaboration with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. In September 2006, the first 19 graduates took masters degrees through JICA group training. What is more, from FY2006 Japan has held new tsunami disaster reduction training which is designed to develop human resources with advanced capabilities in tsunami disaster reduction, focusing on the Asian region.
Since 1962 Japan has carried out International Training on Seismology and Earthquake Engineering65 which invites young researchers and engineers from developing countries to earthquake-prone regions of Japan. The trainees who have completed the training are remarkably successful in the seismology and earthquake engineering sector after they return to their countries, and their contributions are highly praised. From FY2005 this will be upgraded to a training course in which it is possible to obtain a masters degree in collaboration with the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. In September 2006, the first 19 graduates took masters degrees through JICA group training. What is more, from FY2006 Japan has held new tsunami disaster reduction training which is designed to develop human resources with advanced capabilities in tsunami disaster reduction, focusing on the Asian region.
<Collaboration with International Agencies>
Japan provides cooperation with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery through means such as financial contributions66 and scheduled participation of Japanese experts to the organization. This facility was established in September 2006 in the interest of supporting efforts like improving capacity for disaster prevention planning, policy, as well as damage rehabilitation. Its targets are low and middle income countries which are vulnerable to disasters. It is comprised of three components: (1) Track I, which pools knowledge and conducts research and studies for disaster prevention at the global and regional levels; (2) Track II, which will establish a multi-donor trust fund and which provides support so as to incorporate the perspective of disaster reduction into the poverty reduction strategies and development plans in low and middle income countries; and (3) Track III, which will establish an emergency rehabilitation fund targeting low income countries. Japan welcomes the founding of this facility and has resolved to contribute proactively.
Against a backdrop of intensifying recognition of the importance of disaster reduction, the establishment of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction was approved at the UN General Assembly in 2006.67 The platform is meant to serve as a place that will gather various countries and international organizations that contribute to disaster reduction, such as the UN and the World Bank, together for discussions on initiatives for disaster reduction. Japan plays the main role in alignment around the promotion of the Hyogo Framework for Action and actively supports the activities of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) Secretariat, which acts as the secretariat for the platform.
Aside from this, Japan aims for collaborations with international organizations through Grant Aid for Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction, which was newly created in FY2006. Japan also provides cooperation for the Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness Programme for South Asian Region which is conducted by the UNDP. This has its sights set on strengthening the capacity of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in the disaster reduction sector. It also promotes efforts like making buildings in the South Asian region resistant to earthquakes. Japan provides cooperation to this UNDP program, and is also expected to utilize the knowledge and experience it possesses in regard to earthquake disasters.
Column 10 Rehabilitation Support for Tsunami Disaster Victims in Sri Lanka
— Psychosocial Care for People through Group Work —