Capacity Building of the JRCS National Disaster Preparedness
Based on the lessons learned, the JRCS made its efforts to strengthen its disaster preparedness capacity throughout Japan.
The funds were allocated to cover for the following activities.
| Programme | The forms of support | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donation of materials | Support of personnel, knowledge, and experience | Subsidies | ||
| 1 | Provision of disaster preparedness material and storage facilities | 〇 | ||
| 2 | Development of disaster response capacity, tools, and facilities | 〇 | ||
| 3 | Disaster Preparedness Training | 〇 | ||
| 4 | Mobilization of Youth Volunteers for Disaster Management | 〇 | ||
| 5 | Disaster Preparedness Education Programme for Junior Red Cross/Red Cross Youth | 〇 | ||
1. Donation of materials
(1) Provision of disaster preparedness material and storage facilities (FY2013)
The JRCS supported 27 municipalities in the three most affected prefectures to strengthen their preparedness for
future disasters. Learning from the GEJET experience, the affected communities wished to set up community-based
emergency supply storage in strategic locations that they had identified. A total of 432 storage facilities were
set up, in which disaster preparedness materials such as generators, cord reels, floodlights, lanterns, portable
toilets and partitions, and solar power systems with LED lights, were stored in December 2013. The JRCS lets
municipalities choose items for storage from several available items to accommodate their local needs.
Number of storage facilities set up: 432 facilities
(2) Development of disaster response capacity, tools, and facilities (FY2013-2014)
Renovated Iwate Chapter’s building with the storehouse in the first floor of the building in February 2015. © JRCS
To strengthen the response capacity to future disaster, the JRCS procured emergency supplies for JRC Chapters. The items were carefully selected and prioritized based on the lessons learned from GEJET. In addition, a warehouse of the JRC Fukushima and Iwate Chapter was reconditioned or established
2. Support of personnel, knowledge, and experience
(1) Disaster Preparedness Training (FY2014- 2020)
DIG Training for the preparedness pilot programme in February 2017. (c)JRCS
The project started in 2014 with the purpose of strengthening domestic disaster response capacities by providing
education on disaster preparedness and risk reduction, promotion of the nurturing the spirit of self-reliance
and cooperation among community members and capable leaders to response to a disaster within the region.
Following the implementation of training for facilitators, the Red Cross disaster preparedness seminars have been implemented nationwide since 2017.
Number of trainings held by March2020: 1,505 with 82,326 participants
Number of facilitators trained by March 2020: 527
(2) Mobilization of Youth Volunteers for Disaster Management (FY2014-2015)
Youth Volunteer participated in the group discussion at the community center in July 2015. (c)JRCS
Mobilization of youth volunteers in one of the important initiatives in the GEJET recovery activities. Youth Volunteers have upheld the national common theme “Supportive activities for the affected people by GEJET, and efforts for the future disaster” since 2013 and have implemented supportive activities, such as sending greeting letters to the affected people, distribution of free magazines published in the affected area and organizing events addressing evacuees in multi-municipal area since 2014.
(3) Disaster Preparedness Education Programme for Junior Red Cross/Red Cross Youth (FY 2014- )
After the experiences of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of
2011, it has been recognized that providing survival skills is very crucial to save lives in times of disaster.
The programme started in 2014 with aims to teach elementary, junior high and senior high school students
preparedness skills that will protect themselves during disasters and to build a better understanding and
awareness on the importance of preparedness among their families and communities.
The JRCS created education materials for disaster prevention programme designed for school children through school education and delivered these materials to all the elementary, junior-high, and senior-high schools in Japan.
Number of disaster preparedness education programmes held: 75 trainings with 5,834
participants.
Preparedness Education Programme at school in September 2015. (c)JRCS
Preparedness Education Programme at school in November 2019. (c)JRCS
