ブックタイトルRecommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

概要

Recommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

RecommendationsPart I: System for Receiving International Assistance1. Background to the recommendations(1) Objectives and reasons for the recommendations? The global media reported on the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) immediately, andmany organisations and people across the world started to offer personnel, material andfinancial assistance to Japan. The Government and relevant organisations in Japanstrove to accept as many of these offers as possible. The Government’s EmergencyDisaster Response Headquarters established a team to handle incoming internationalassistance, which also coordinated with affected local authorities at prefecture andmunicipality levels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) decided to accept aspecialised team of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDACteam) 2 for the first time as a developed country. The MOFA deployed liaison officers,who together with Japan’s rescue teams, supported on-site coordination with the rescueteams arriving from various countries. As for material assistance, the Government ofJapan prioritised those corresponding to the needs of disaster-affected communitiesand liaised and coordinated closely with the municipalities concerned. The JapaneseMinistry of Defense (MOD) and Self-Defense Forces (SDF) cooperated with the U.S. andAustralian armed forces for the first time in its domestic disaster-relief operations.? The efforts of such responders should be highly valued, but efficiency in terms ofreceiving international assistance should also be assessed as an important element thatcomplements self-help and mutual assistance by the disaster-affected communities.International assistance should be considered a part of“external help”among the threetypes of disaster-response activities, namely self-help, mutual support and assistancefrom outside. In this context, the Government of a disaster-affected country mustaccurately grasp people’s needs so as to ensure that necessary assistance are providedfor right locations, proactively disseminate information to the international community,and coordinate with countries and organisations that are willing to offer assistance. Asassistance rash to the affected areas, the Government must also coordinate incominginternational assistance on-site, in order to avoid confusion and unnecessary burden onthe disaster-affected communities. Moreover, the Government is accountable forensuring appropriate use of the assistance received and responsible for reporting theresults of such assistance back to the international community.? The international humanitarian community has established and utilised mechanisms toshare information and coordinate assistance between disaster-affected countries andinternational aid providers. Besides, the Government of Japan and NGOs participate insuch mechanisms when they implement overseas disaster-relief operations. However, inthe case of the GEJE, such system was not fully made aware of among the actorsinvolved. Thus, the country received offers of assistance from overseas rather passively,2 An UNDAC team is deployed at the request of governments of or UN offices in disaster-affected countries. Itscore tasks involve assessing the humanitarian situation of disaster-affected areas, reporting it to the internationalcommunity and coordinating incoming international assistance. It is staffed by UN officers and experts registered bythe governments.5