(7) Mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction, Measures of Disaster Risk Reduction and Post-Disaster Recovery, and Creating Sustainable Cities
Disasters have serious consequences on the entire society and economy in developing countries that are vulnerable to this issue. Therefore, it is necessary to build a disaster-resilient and flexible society to protect human lives from disasters, while making efforts toward sustainable development. Among them, it is important to promote the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction that introduces the perspective of disaster risk reduction in all the development policies and plans.
In recent years, various issues related to the management of cities have received increased attention. They include such issues as handling the disposal of the substantial amount of waste produced in urban areas and suburbs, pollution of air, water, etc., development of infrastructure facilities including sewage and waste treatment systems, and rapid population increases and the consequent rapid urbanization. Addressing these issues and engaging in efforts to realize sustainable cities have become priorities for development cooperation.
Thus, among the SDGs, Goal 11 sets forth the following task: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” As shown by this fact, there are growing international interests in resolving the issues of human settlements that include realizing sustainable cities.
● Japan’s Efforts
■ Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction
Drinking water produced by JS Osumi, a transport ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, being replenished in a household water tank in tsunami-stricken Kanokupolu Village in the main island of Tonga, Tongatapu
Japan utilizes its enriched knowledge and technology acquired through its past experiences with natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons, to provide proactive support for disaster risk reduction and post disaster recovery measures, alongside emergency assistance (see “Master Techniques from Japan to the World 2”). The “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework),” which was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (2015), incorporated many ideas proposed by Japan. These include the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction, the importance of prior investment in disaster risk reduction, the commitments of diverse stakeholders, the concept of “Build Back Better” striving to build cities that are more resilient to natural disasters in post-disaster recovery, and the importance of women’s leadership.
Currently, based on the “Sendai Cooperation Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction Phase 2” announced in 2019, which is Japan’s basic policy for cooperation in the field of disaster risk reduction, Japan contributes to the development of a disaster-resilient international community where everyone can live in safety by utilizing its advanced expertise and technology in the field of disaster risk reduction. Specifically, Japan promotes human resources development in developing countries for a total of 48,000 officials and local leaders in charge of disaster risk reduction tasks as well as disaster risk reduction education for a total of 37,000 children who are responsible for the next generation, in addition to the support benefiting at least 5 million people over the four-year period from 2019 to 2022 through flood countermeasures, such as developing dikes and flood-control channels. Such efforts contribute to promoting not only the enhancement of disaster-resilient building structures and developing disaster monitoring facilities in each recipient country, but also the development of human resources in fields such as establishing laws and plans related to disaster risk reduction, formulation of disaster risk reduction policies, and disaster monitoring. Consequently, the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction progresses in developing countries.
In addition, a resolution was adopted to designate November 5 as “World Tsunami Awareness Day” responding to Japan’s call at the UN General Assembly in 2015. Accordingly, the High School Students Summit on “World Tsunami Awareness Day” has been held in various parts of Japan annually since 2016. In 2022, it was held in Niigata Prefecture on October 19 and 20. Furthermore, on November 4, 2022, Japan co-organized an event to raise awareness of the necessity to reduce the risk of tsunamis at the UN Headquarters with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Moreover, in close cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Japan implements projects to support the formulation of tsunami evacuation plans and tsunami evacuation drills for countries at high tsunami risk in the Asia-Pacific region. Since the start of the projects in 2017, the institutionalization of disaster risk reduction has been promoted in Palau, as seen in a Presidential Proclamation declaring September of every year as National Preparedness Month. Also, by the end of 2022, the formulation and revision of tsunami disaster management plans, as well as programs for tsunami education, have been implemented at 441 schools across 23 countries, with over 190,000 students, teachers, and other school personnel participating in tsunami evacuation drills. With regard to support for Arab countries, from 2021 to 2022, Japan provided technical assistance through UNDRR to Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon to formulate disaster risk reduction strategies for “Build Back Better,” taking into account measures to address infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
Additionally, every year from 2016, Japan and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Hiroshima Office have worked together to provide support for human resources development targeting female government officials in developing countries vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly focusing on women’s roles and leadership in the event of tsunamis. Under this project, 356 people from 31 countries participated by the end of 2022.
Japan also contributes in the field of overseas deployment of ICT systems for disaster risk reduction. Japan’s ICT systems for disaster risk reduction make it possible to collect, analyze, and disseminate disaster related information in an integrated manner, allowing detailed information to be communicated swiftly and infallibly at the community level. This contributes to the improvement of disaster risk reduction capabilities in developing countries (see “Project Introduction Column”).
■ Realizing Sustainable Cities
Japan takes initiatives to resolve global issues directly related to human settlements, including efforts for disaster risk reduction, recovery from natural disasters, and promoting a sound water cycle. Specifically, drawing on its know-how and experience, Japan develops infrastructure, including water and sewage, waste, and energy facilities. In addition, Japan conducts disaster risk reduction programs, human resources development, etc. based on the concept of “Build Back Better.” Japan also works together with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to further promote sustainable urban development. One example can be seen in collaboration with the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) in Fukuoka, which supports the introduction of the disaster prevention technology of Fukuoka Prefecture to developing countries.