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概要:
Journal of Humanitarian Studies Vol. 1, 2012systems survived and these reactors successfully shut down.Are there differences in impact of large disasters in high and low income countries?In May 2011, ....

Journal of Humanitarian Studies Vol. 1, 2012systems survived and these reactors successfully shut down.Are there differences in impact of large disasters in high and low income countries?In May 2011, JRCS and IFRC decided that the first six months of the operation should be evaluated in orderto learn lessons and improve the mechanisms for managing large scale disaster response in high incomecountries. They jointly commissioned a small team of experts to carry out an independent evaluation,which was finalised in February 2012:“Preparing for and Responding to Large Scale Disasters in HighIncome Countries, Findings and Lessons Learned from the Japanese Red Cross Society’s Response to theGreat East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami”. The reason for the focus on high income countries is that thesegenerally share many characteristics: they have well-developed infrastructure and services, sophisticatedand resource rich administration and industry, a large and fast-growing share of the population over 65 anda comprehensive welfare system. Most of them are also vulnerable to a variety of disasters and often theircoping mechanisms are very different to those of low income countries. Additionally, national Red Crossand Red Crescent societies in these countries vary widely, reflecting the tradition and culture of which theyare part. The evaluation compares the operation of JRCS in 2011 with the interventions after HurricaneKatrina which hit New Orleans and southern states of the USA, in 2005, the floods in Queensland, Australia,in 2011 and the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand of the same year. However, it would be unwiseto draw too many general conclusions. Lessons can be learned, but each country must plan and respondto large scale disasters after analysing and considering its own unique context ? and much applies equallyto disaster response and preparedness in low income countries where people by necessity have to buildresilience and cope with their available resources.Emergency response, relief and shelterThe likelihood of another mega-disaster in Japan is very high and it is therefore obvious that JRCS shoulddevelop a comprehensive contingency plan for this, considering a number of issues. First, it needs todiscuss and review the role and mandate of the Red Cross in the Government national disaster managementplan. Then it needs to formulate a strategy to scale up and meet abnormally large needs in the case of megadisasters when several areas are seriously affected. This should cover issues such as the possible role ofJRCS health institutions and Chapter offices as forward disaster management coordination centres in largescale disasters. The importance of capacity to make its own independent field assessments and to exchangeinformation with other actors is critical and cannot be underestimated, especially in situations where somelocal authorities are rendered dysfunctional by the impact of disaster, as was the case in Tohoku.The disaster response plans of the authorities were based on the likelihood of having to deal with theconsequences of an earthquake but not tsunamis. The director of the Red Cross hospital in Ishinomaki toldme that they only had a manual for an earthquake disaster and the JRCS medical teams kits were designedto treat injuries, including crush injuries, caused as a result of earthquake. The tsunami hardly caused anyinjuries since people were either killed or survived the devastating wave of ice cold water. The medicalneeds of those who had been evacuated were mostly related to chronic diseases and conditions followingthe strain of being housed in cramped and difficult evacuation centers.JRCS should work actively to develop a framework for cooperation with the appropriate governmentauthorities at central and local levels, addressing both how to provide effective emergency relief andcontribute to recovery of the affected population. It should do the same with NGOs and other relevantorganisations to better share information, understand each other’s plans and promote coordination ofactivities in the face of future disasters.人道研究ジャーナルVol. 1, 201259