(2) Humanitarian Assistance during Natural Disasters
Japan stands ready for the immediate provision of emergency assistance in response to requests from governments of affected countries or international organizations when large-scale disasters occur overseas. There are five types of Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) teams that provide humanitarian assistance: (i) “Search and Rescue Team” to conduct search and rescue operations, (ii) “Medical Team” to provide medical assistance, (iii) “Infectious Diseases Response Team” to provide assistance to minimize the damage from large-scale infectious diseases, (iv) “Expert Team” to give technical advice or guidance on emergency disaster mitigation activities and recover operations and (v) “Self-Defense Force Unit” to undertake medical activities, transportation of aid supplies and personnel when it is deemed particularly necessary in responding to large-scale disasters. These teams are dispatched either individually or in combination.
Emergency relief goods are provided as an in-kind assistance. Japan stockpiles tents, blankets, and other supplies needed for people affected in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, in four overseas warehouses. In 2019, Japan provided emergency relief goods to Afghanistan, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, and Albania, among other countries.
In addition, to relieve refugees, displaced persons and others, and those who have been affected by natural disasters and/or conflicts overseas, Japan implements Emergency Grant Aid to the governments of affected countries as well as international organizations. In many cases, Japanese NGOs contribute as partners when these international organizations engage in actual emergency assistance.
Moreover, Japanese NGOs also provide various forms of assistance to those affected by disasters by utilizing ODA funds. Japan Platform (JPF), an emergency humanitarian aid organization established through the partnership and cooperation of Japanese NGOs, business communities, and the Government of Japan, provides assistance to refugees, displaced persons, or people affected by conflicts or natural disasters. The NGOs affiliated with JPF provide various forms of support to people affected by disasters to meet their needs in regions that local government aid does not always reach (see also “B. Cooperation with Japanese NGOs”).
Disaster response is a shared concern of Japan and ASEAN, which are beset by numerous natural disasters. In order to strengthen the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), established in 2011, Japan dispatches personnel and provides support for information and communications technology systems, along with the provision of emergency relief goods and support for the development of a management and transport system for goods.
An examination conducted by medical team members of the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team dispatched to the area affected by the cyclone in Mozambique in April 2019 (Photo: JICA)
Staff delivering cooking equipment and kitchen utensils as part of the JPF program in 2018, “Emergency Response to Laos floods” (Photo: Good Neighbors Japan)