JICA DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Overview
Disaster Risk Reduction is a series of efforts to reduce economic and physical loss in case of disasters,
to ensure the overall development process is not disturbed. The world faces rising costs of natural
disasters that have been increasing in frequency and severity/ intensity. In recent years, loss of human
life due to natural disasters is on decrease, while economic loss from natural disasters is on increase.
In addition, natural disasters in developing countries are an obstacle to achieving sustainable
development and worsen poverty. In order to reduce the damage caused by natural hazards, all actors
involved in disaster risk reduction need to understand the importance of proactively implementing
comprehensive risk reduction and preparedness initiative in addition to post disaster efforts.

JICA Activities

JICA's Position Paper on Disaster Risk Reduction

Based on a disaster management cycle (DMC), which entails emergency response, recovery and
reconstruction, and prevention and mitigation activities, JICA leverages its experience to provide
assistance in the following areas.

(1) Efforts toward a Safe and Secure Society

The risk of natural disasters is increasing in developing countries. JICA makes use of Japan's leading
technical capabilities in disaster prevention to evaluate risk in developing countries, propose measures
to mitigate existing risk and preventive measures for new risks so that people can live with peace-of-
mind.

(2) Supporting the Formulation of Integrated Disaster Management Plans

JICA supports the creation of integrated Disaster Management plans and action plans that include
identifying disaster-related hazards and risks, improving the disaster management systems and
capabilities of administrative institutions, establishing the relevant legal framework, enhancing
awareness and strengthening response.

(3) Support from the Viewpoint of Human Security through Community-Based Disaster Risk
Management

Japan's experience has highlighted the importance of "self-help" and "mutual-help" in addition to
"public-help." Community-based measures are key in developing countries where the disaster
management capabilities of administrative institutions remain insufficient. JICA therefore directs
assistance toward strengthening such capabilities among communities and individuals, as well as
linking these groups with public organizations.

Disaster Reduction Learning Center (DRLC)

-Introducing lessons learnt from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and knowledge about Japanese
disaster risk reduction and recovery to the world-
What is the DRLC?Activities of DRLCMaterials for Disaster Risk ReductionBrochures/ImagesContact
information

What is the DRLC?

At the "World Conference on Disaster Reduction" held in Kobe in 2005, the Hyogo Framework for
Action was adopted to express the necessity of improving developing countries' capacity to cope with
disasters through international cooperation. Responding to this, JICA and Hyogo Prefectural
Government established the Disaster Reduction Learning Center (DRLC) in FY2007 to develop human
resources engaged in disaster management and reduction in developing countries through the use of
experience and lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. DRLC has been giving
training opportunity to developing countries in cooperation with disaster risk reduction organizations
in Japan and has been making efforts to introduce lessons learnt from the Great Hanshin-Awaji
Earthquake and knowledge about Japanese disaster management and recovery to the world.

Activities of DRLC

DRLC is committed to making full use of Japan's experiences and lessons on disaster risk reduction
which have been accumulated from past disasters with an aim of effectively fostering international
human resources in the field of disaster risk reduction. In order to achieve this aim, we are also
committed to implementing the following operations.

Overall coordination and implementation of JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Programs in the field of
disaster risk reductionEffective implementation of JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Programs in the field
of disaster risk reductionCreation of human network in JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Programs in the
field of disaster risk reduction and its organic utilizationPreparation of database related to resources
in the field of disaster risk reductionUtilization of knowledge on disaster risk reduction in Hyogo for
human resource development in the field of international disaster risk reduction

Materials for Disaster Risk Reduction

DRLC is developing various training materials with the cooperation of disaster risk reduction
organizations in Hyogo Prefecture.