Press Releases
Dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team in Response to the Fire Incident at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill in the Republic of the Philippines
April 22, 2026
- On March 26, a fire broke out at the Navotas Sanitary Landfill, located in Manila Bay, in the Philippines, and harmful substances in the smoke are posing a serious threat to residents in the area and surrounding communities.
- On April 22, in response to the request for assistance from the Government of the Philippines, the Government of Japan has decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Expert Team to the Philippines for technical advice on firefighting operations, air pollution measurement and assessment, and waste management.
- Japan hopes that the dispatch of the JDR Expert Team will contribute to the rapid extinguishment of fires and the restoration of the living environment in the Philippines. Furthermore, it is expected that the deployment of the JDR Expert Team will further strengthen bilateral relations in this milestone year marking the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
(Reference)Overview of the Assistance
The JDR Expert Team, consisting of 7 members from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will assist in assessing the damage in the Philippines and provide technical advice on firefighting operations, air pollution measurement and assessment, and waste management. The JDR Expert Team will leave for the Philippines on April 23.