©SAITO Takao

Ensuring the safety of not only JICA-related workers but also all people involved in international cooperation projects, such as employees of companies and members of NGOs, is a prerequisite for the implementation of development cooperation centered on ODA projects. In 2022, the relaxation and removal of border measures and movement restrictions against COVID-19 progressed worldwide. MOFA and JICA remained vigilant even in these circumstances and continued to conduct appropriate risk assessments and take appropriate measures to prevent infections or the spread of infections during overseas travel, striving to ensure the safety of the people involved in international cooperation projects, including Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs), and making every effort to facilitate their projects.

Following the terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in July 2016, the “Final Report” Note 23 was released as the outcome of the review by the Council on Safety Measures for International Cooperation Projects, in which the relevant ministries, agencies, government-related organizations, and experts participated. MOFA and JICA make efforts to implement the safety measures Note 24 mentioned in the Final Report, and also continue and enhance actions to ensure the effectiveness of safety measures for people involved in international cooperation projects. The Council has become permanent after the Final Report and the Council in 2022 discussed the safety measures for the people involved in international cooperation projects in light of the recent changes in the global situation, including the terrorism and security situation.

As the risk of terrorism remains serious even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, MOFA enhanced the contents of “Golgo 13’s Security Guidelines for Japanese SMEs Abroad (in Japanese only)” series in April 2022, which has been utilized to strengthen safety measures of Japanese citizens, including those involved in international cooperation projects, by releasing additional episodes and commentary videos on how to tackle “multiple risks” such as terrorism amid an infectious disease pandemic. Since October 2022, MOFA has started the distribution of educational messages and useful knowledge regarding safety measures in collaboration with the Golgo 13 series as “Message from Duke Togo” on the LINE messaging platform.

1. Note 23: https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/page22_000141.html
2. Note 24: The following five points are listed as new safety measures: (i) Strengthening the collection, analysis, and sharing of threat information, (ii) Code of conduct of project partners and NGOs, (iii) Physical and non-physical protective measures, and strengthening training and drills, (iv) Post-crisis response, and (v) Heightening crisis management awareness and improving organizational structures of MOFA and JICA.

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