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| Monday, 24 January 2005 |
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Government of Japan - Initiative for disaster reduction through ODA The disaster caused by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian Ocean that occurred in December 2004 led to unprecedented human and physical damage to the countries in the area. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, torrential rains, heavy snowfalls, storms (typhoons and tornados), floods, landslide disasters (avalanche of rock and earth, mudslides, and soil erosions), volcanic eruptions, forest fires and droughts have threatened human life by bringing about socio economic disorders as well as loss of lives and damage of property.
White paper statistics According to the statistics in the White Paper on Disaster Reduction published by the Government of Japan, more than ninety percent of the total death toll from natural disasters during the past twenty-five years between 1978 and 2002 was concentrated in the developing countries. Generally speaking, the poor in developing countries, who are vulnerable to natural disasters, tend to suffer heavily and become displaced by natural disaster. Therefore, the secondary effect of disasters such as deterioration of sanitary conditions and food shortage that is sustained over a long period, poses a major challenge for developing countries. While each country has the primary responsibility for taking actions for disaster reduction, it is essential to support self help with mutual help and partnership. Japan attaches importance to promoting actions by developing countries based on ownership, and assisting their efforts based on partnership. Direct threat As natural disaster is a direct threat to humankind, actions to address this threat must incorporate the perspective of human security, which places the focus on individual people, and the gender perspective in addition to perspectives at the global, regional and country level. Furthermore, in order to cooperate effectively in actions against natural disasters, it is necessary to respond to the particular stages of disaster taking full account of the standpoint of beneficiaries. In the area of disaster reduction, Japan has provided financial assistance of about Yen 33 billion in fiscal 2003, that is among the highest level of international cooperation.
1. extend grant aid ofup to $ 500 million for the time being as emergency assistance: 2. promote cooperation with countries and international organizations concerned for the rapid establishment of an early-warning mechanism on tsunamis in the Indian Ocean and 3. provide the maximum possible assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Basic policies On the occasion of the World Conference on Disaster Reduction, Japan announces the basic policies and concrete actions concerning international cooperation on disaster reduction through Official Development Assistance (ODA) in order to cope with natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis in a comprehensive and coherent manner. Japan will support the self-help efforts of developing countries in the field of disaster reduction through its ODA based on the following basic policies. 1. Raising the priority attached to disaster reduction Giving a higher priority to disaster reduction in developing countries by raising awareness on disaster reduction among policy-makers and governmental officials concerned is crucial because this will make it possible to mitigate damage caused by natural disasters. Japan will assist developing countries in raising awareness on the importance of disaster reduction and seek to strengthen and establish disaster reduction in developing countries through policy dialogues, seminars, advocacy activities and assessment of disaster risks. 2. Perspective of human security In promoting cooperation on disaster reduction, it is crucial to protect individuals from disaster and to empower individuals and local communities based on the perspective of human security that puts people at the centre of concerns. For this purpose, it is essential to accurately identify the needs of the residents of target areas. Japan will assist the empowerment of local communities and give due consideration to those who are particularly vulnerable to disasters such as children and the poor. 3. Gender perspective Due to the existence of gender disparities in various aspects such as participation in political decision-making and socio-economic activities and access to information, women are particularly susceptible to damage from disaster. Therefore Japan will provide assistance based on a gender perspective in respect of all aspects of co-operation on disaster reduction. 4. Importance of assistance regarding software It is essential to take appropriate actions in the phase of disaster prevention and that of emergency response in order to mitigate damage and to reduce vulnerability to disaster. In this respect, Japan will provide assistance regarding software such as human resources development, institutional development and planning in addition to assistance in hardware such as development of economic and social infrastructure. In doing so, Japan will make efforts to provide effective assistance by accurately identifying local socio-economic situations. 5. Mobilisation of Japan's experience, expertise and technology Having repeatedly experienced various natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, floods and volcanic eruptions, Japan has acquired high capacity for disaster management. Therefore Japan will effectively mobilise its own experience, advanced expertise and technology to enhance capacity for disaster management of developing countries. 6. Mobilisation and dissemination of locally available and suitable technology Japan will provide cooperation by applying technology and expertise in disaster reduction that are tailored to the actual conditions of developing countries. For this purpose Japan will seek to utilise and disseminate cost-effective and locally available materials, technologies and means in a locally suitable and sustainable manner. Japan will carry out model projects requiring small amount of input which are expected to be widely replicated. (To be continued) Scenes from the tsunami tragedy in Sri Lanka - Pictures by Shirajiv Sirimanna |
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Produced by Lake House |
Natural disaster is a global issue that causes serious damage in many
respects in countries around the world each year. Putting an end to the
vicious circle, in which human livelihoods and socio-economic development
are hampered by repeated damage from natural disasters, is one of the most
important preconditions for achieving poverty reduction and sustainable
development. In particular, many developing countries are vulnerable to
natural disasters and suffer extremely serious damage from natural
disasters.
Japan has been playing an active role in the international cooperation
on diaster reduction by utilizing its own experiences, human resources and
technology in which it has international comparative advantage. With a
view to providing the maximum possible assistance in terms of financial
resources, knowledge and expertise, and human resources in respect of the
major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the tsunami in the Indian
Ocean, Japan will:
