The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction BHN's Engagement in Disaster Risk Reduction Supporting Activities and Human Resource Development for Disaster Risk Reduction March 14, 2015 Approved Specified Nonprofit Corporation Chairman Masanori Satou 1
Table of Contents 1. Profile of 2. On-going Projects of Disaster Risk Reduction Case 1: Case 2: Case 3: Project of Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in the Southern Delta, Myanmar Project of Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Using Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake (Please refer to "Report on s support to affected people in Great East Japan Earthquake" issued by on March, 2015) 3. Human Resource Development (HRD) Programs entrusted by the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 4. Epilogue 2
1. Profile of - 1/2 Sep. 1992 was established as a private organization. Sep. 1999 was approved as a Nonprofit Organization (NPO). Mar. 2010 Approved as Specified Nonprofit Corporation by National Tax Agency Japan. Background of the Establishment: The Resolution (36/40) of 36th Session of UN General Assembly of 1981 declares that "telecommunications technology is vital for developing countries to catch up with others." The 1982 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Nairobi acknowledged that "communications infrastructures are one of indispensable factors in achieving socioeconomic development in all countries." BHN means: BHN stands for "Basic Human Needs," which is generally known as the absolute minimum resources essential to people s long-term physical and mental well-being. We believe that communications is also one of the Basic Human Needs and we focus on it. 3
1. Profile of - 2/2 The Mission of the Association The mission of the Association is, based on the stand point of providing humanitarian aid and making international contribution, to help the developing countries' self-help by performing aid activities as an NGO, different from those of the government and the corporations. Major Activity Activities Development /Grassroots Support The first support program: Support Activities for Chernobyl Accident Emergency Relief Human Resource Development Construction of Microwave system Remote Medical Diagnosis through Satellite 4
Case 1: Project for Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in Southern Delta, Myanmar - 1/5 1) Damage caused by Cyclone Nargis Cyclone Nargis came in 2008 and caused devastating damage: Date: May 2-3, 2008 Maximum wind velocity: 72 m/s Fatality and missing: 138,000 persons The Ayeyarwady area of Myanmar s southern delta and Yangon area suffered big damage, and it was reported that 2.3 million people among 7.35 million population got suffered. Myanmar The route of Cyclone Nargis and the damaged area Source: U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs One of the factors that made the damage bigger: It appears that there was a lack of knowledge and interest in disaster risk reduction in both public and private sector, and there was no infrastructures for disaster risk reduction, such as shelters and alert systems. Myanmar government took initiative in disaster risk reduction: Urgently needed are establishing early alert and warning procedure, developing economical alert and warning system, and so on. 5
Case 1: Project for Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in Southern Delta, Myanmar - 2/5 2) Activities of Community Addressing (CA) System May 2008: After a local survey it was concluded that a system employing speakers was effective for delivering information at emergency, due to lack of the infrastructure, such as electricity, in many afflicted areas. System configuration of CA System We have been installing CA systems at about 160 villages up to now, by cooperating with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Union of Myanmar (UMFCCI). (Funded by Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO from Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Opinion from villagers after CA System was installed - In the coastal areas and delta areas that often suffer natural disasters, we can prepare for disasters be hearing the weather reports and emergency alerts in advance. - After Cyclone Nargis, many people became interested in weather reports. - We can hear health news such as infectious diseases. - We can deliver a message to a villager in short time. 6
Case 1: Project for Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in Southern Delta, Myanmar - 3/5 Late May 2008, damages by Cyclone Nargis (in Yangon City) Dec. 2008, CA system trial at six villages in Yangon suburbs 7
Case 1: Project for Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in Southern Delta, Myanmar - 4/5 Speakers installed on trees Explanation after installing the CA System Workshops were held in order to use the system effectively for a long time 8
Case 1: Project for Improving Life Environment Using Community Addressing Systems in Southern Delta, Myanmar - 5/5 3) Expected Outcome In Normal Situation: The residents can get information, such as, daily weather report and news from broadcasted radio programs. It is now possible to deliver to the residents of each county or village customized information, such as, notices, messages from schools, event information and hygiene information when an infectious disease occurs. In Urgent Situation: Forecast of a coming cyclone, evacuation information preparing for flood or storm surge can be delivered swiftly, which can help the residents to preserve their life and property. Customized urgent information to the residents of each village can be delivered. 4) The follow-ups being considered as a result of monitoring a) Education on disaster risk reduction b) Making hazard map c) Making an urgent communication structure by using mobile network 9
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 1/6 Partnership Program of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 1) Background and Necessity of the Project a) Hatiya Island is a Cyclone High Risk Area Hatiya Island with a 350 thousand population, is designated as a Cyclone High Risk Area. b) Currently, Alert by Using Handy Sirens The most required disaster information and warnings are delivered by the volunteers for risk reduction running with carrying sirens. c) Proper Evacuation Info and Evacuation Action In Hatiya Island, what is necessary is a scheme to collect properly the weather and disaster warning information, and to deliver it properly and widely to the residents. Furthermore, it is necessary for them to understand such information properly and to start to evacuate. Bangladesh Hatiya Island 10
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 2/6 2) Outline of the Project a) The Objective of the Project Providing support in building Community FM Radio Stations that will broadcast information specialized for the target area, so that the residents there can take advantage of the information, and at the time of a disaster they can start evacuating on their own decision. b) Project Period From March 2013 to August 2017 c) Local Partnership Organization Dwip Unnayan Songstha (DUS). DUS is the largest NGO in Hatiya Island, and it will be the owner and operator of the system after the end of the project. 11
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 3/6 A risk reduction volunteer carrying a siren and urging people to evacuate Island residents gathering at a shelter for a evacuation training. 12
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 4/6 Configuration of Hatiya Island Community Radio Facilities The system consists of the below subsystems: Tower for the antenna (Tower subsystem) FM Transceiver subsystem Studio facility subsystem Solar electric power subsystem Transmission Antenna and Tower (28 m) Signal Light x 2 for Fishing Boats Signal Light x 2 for Fishing Boats Receiving Antenna Speaker Revolving Alarm Light x 3 Alarm Siren Transmission Facility and Studio Alarm Siren Revolving Alarm Light x 3 Solar Power Generation Facility Cyclone Shelter x 3 places Solar Power Generation Facility Hatiya Island Community FM Transmission Station Hatiya Island In Hatiya Island the residents receive the community FM broadcast by their FM radio. As Nijhum Dwip Island is located far from the transmitting station, it is considered difficult for low-priced FM radio receivers to receive the community FM broadcast. Accordingly, decent receiving facilities are installed at the cyclone shelters, and speakers are used to broadcast important information. Nijhum Dwip Island As neither islands are provided with commercial power, self-sustaining solar power generating facilities are used to provide needed electric power. 13
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 5/6 Transmitting antenna at Hatiya Island Batteries for solar power system 14
Case 2: Enhancing Community Ability of Disaster Risk Reduction by Community Radio in Hatiya Island, Bangladesh - 6/6 3) Expected Outcome and Action Plan - Expected Outcome a) Establishing an operational and managerial structure for the Community Radio (CR) broadcasting system used for an early disaster warning system. b) Establishing a structure of broadcasting weather info and early disaster warning info to minimize the risks for the target area. c) Establishing an attitude with which the local residents could make good use of the early disaster warning system based on the CR system. d) Establishing a evacuation procedure on a disaster in the target area. - Action Plan a) Building the Community Radio (CR) stations, training operation staff, and making up emergency manuals. b) Training on analyzing weather info, making a broadcasting plan, route of info, and developing program contents. c) Holding explaining sessions for the related persons, organizing Listeners Clubs, and holding events on disaster risk reduction. d) Surveying the whole island, preparing handouts for disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities developing human resources for DRR activities, carrying out DRR activities. 15
Case 3: Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake - 1/5 Summary of Damage by the Great East Japan Earthquake (as of May 31, 2011) Death: 15,270 persons Missing: 8,499 persons Collapsed houses: 102,273 units (Magnitude 9.0 on March 11, 2011) For Reference: Damages of past earthquakes a) Meiji Sanriku Earthquake Death: 21,959 persons (Magnitude: 8.2 on Jun. 15, 1896) b) Great Kanto Earthquake Death: 105,000 persons Magnitude: 7.9 on Sep. 1, 1923) c) Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Death: 6,437 persons Magnitude: 7.3 on Jan. 17, 1995) 16
Case 3: Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake - 2/5 Earthquake occurs Support for afflicted coastal areas of Iwate Pref. Support for temporary broadcasting stations Support for victims of Iitate Village, Fukushima Pref. Support for victims of Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Pref. BHN's supporting activities for victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 Support for coastal 4 cities and 2 towns of Iwate Prefecture with ICT and medicine: - Setting Internet access for evacuation centers and relief organizations - Distributing radios, speakers, handy-talkies, clothes, and others. Taking measure for the areas with weak broadcasting signal at Yamamoto-Cho and Watari-Cho, Miyagi Pref. Temporary broadcasting stations after disaster, community FM broadcasting stations (3 Prefectures in Tohoku) Supporting building the Info Network for Victims of Iitate Village Maintaining and improving health of evacuees from Iitate Village, cooperating with Humanitarian Medical Assistance (HuMA). Supporting victim communities, training on IT, assisting finding jobs, setting up Internet access, training on PC for community officers in Ishinomaki-City and Higashi Matsushima-City, Miyagi Pref. Opening "ICT Open Collage" cooperating with Ishinomaki Senshu University 17
Case 3: Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake - 3/5 The situation of the afflicted areas about three weeks after the disaster (Costal area of Iwate Prefecture) 18
Case 3: Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake - 4/5 BHN Sent supporting machines and material to disaster response headquarters in each location in Iwate Prefecture. BHN supported to set up Internet access facilities at primary schools(refuge) A temporary broadcasting station for disaster relief, which BHN supported, was opened 19
Case 3: Project of Supporting Disaster Victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake - 5/5 A joint training session of PC for officers of Ishinomaki temporary residential houses Terminals of Health Counselling System for Iitate Village of Fukushima Pref. Deputy village mayor of Iitate talking to evacuating villagers through Iitate Victim Info Network 20
For Reference: Previous Support Activities - 1/2 1) Major Activities of Humanitarian Support Subject Target Country Period Support activities for Chernobyl Nuclear Accident (Construction of microwave system, remote medicine using satellite) Constructing of radio networks for remote medical institutions Providing an in-house telephone facility for a hospital Diagnosis through remote medicine (Tele-medicine) Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan 1992-1994 Laos, Afghanistan 1998-2007 2003, 2007-2010 Myanmar, Ukraine, Afghanistan 1997-2003 Malaysia, Thailand 1999-2008 2010-2013 Education on IT, Training on radio system Afghanistan 2004-2006 Community Addressing Systems (Disaster risk reduction, improving life environment) Haiti Myanmar 2010-2013 2013-2015 Helping refugees to return home Myanmar 2013-2014 Community radio system for Hatiya Island, Bangladesh Bangladesh 2013-2017 21
For Reference: Previous Support Activities - 2/2 2) Major Activities of Emergency Relief Event Target Country or Area Earthquake Taiwan, Turkey India Iran Pakistan Indonesia Haiti Cyclone Hurricane Honduras Myanmar Philippines Subject Provide radio equipment and telephone service Support for telecom system for medical teams FM broadcasting facilities, distributing radios Telephone service, community addressing system Well pump, distributing radio Repairing community FM station, area Provide communication equipment Community addressing (CA) system CA system, ICT station Year 1999 2000 2004 2005 2006, 2009 2010 1998 2008, 2010 2013-2014 Tsunami Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan (Tohoku region) FM broadcasting stn, distributing radios, radio eqt Internet access, temporary FM station, PC workshop 2005 2011-2014 Refugees Afghanistan Iraq Telephone service Support for telecom system for medical teams 2002 2003 22
3. HRD Programs Entrusted by APT and ASEAN 1) Human Resource Development (HRD) Programs Entrusted by Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) - J4 Programs Title and Summary of the Training Course: "Utilization of ICT Services & E-Applications for Overcoming Digital Divide" The course includes the lectures on the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) and the typical examples of ICT usage in the field of the tele-medicine, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and education. It also includes site visits to observe the facilities and experiment. Duration of the Course: Three (3) weeks Record of the Course: Period No. of Countries (Persons) Remark Nov. 2011 11 (11) Jan. 2013 9 (9) Feb. - Mar. 2014 12 (13) Mar. 3-20, 2015 12 (13) (Note) On-going (Note) 2 from Afghanistan, 1 from Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Palau, Thailand, and Vietnam Opinion from the participants: Many participants stated "The program was very beneficial," and "I would like to adapt what I learnt here to the policy of my country back home." The training was highly evaluated. 23
3. HRD Programs Entrusted by APT and ASEAN 2) Human Resource Development (HRD) Programs Entrusted by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Oct. 2013 on ICT for Medicine: Participants:19 persons from 8 countries May 2014 on Utilizing ICT by Deploying Sensor Network: Participants:18 persons from 8 countries Dec. 2014 on ICT for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Participants:12 persons from 8 countries Contents of the ICT for Disaster Risk Reduction Presenting the policies of Japanese government, the trend of standardization, systems and technologies for DRR. Participants reported the governmental DRR activities in their countries and exchanging opinions. Site visits to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and to National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED). Visit to National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) 24
3. HRD Programs Entrusted by APT and ASEAN For Reference: BHN Human Resource Development Program (Own-Planning) Target: Young would-be leaders who engage in telecommunication/ict industry from Asian countries Program: First Part: The Basic Course About five (5) weeks at Multi Media University (MMU) in Malaysia Second Part: Lectures on new technologies and new services, management and system; visits to research institutions and factories; home-stay About three (3) weeks at the Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA) in Japan History: Since 1998, Total 130 persons 17th Session: First Part in Malaysia: Nov. - Dec. 2014 Second Part in Japan: Jun. - Jul. 2015 (Planned) Accumulation up to 16th Session Country Persons Afghanistan 8 Bangladesh 11 Cambodia 12 Indonesia 11 Laos 18 Malaysia 1 Mongolia 2 Myanmar 10 Philippines 7 Sri Lanka 21 Uzbekistan 18 Vietnam 11 Kazakhstan 2 13 countries 130 25
4. Epilogue 1/2 I consider this Great East Japan Earthquake brought in front of us more facts that we have to learn from than the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. I think it is important to keep disseminating at home and abroad the measures and outcomes gained from the disaster risk reduction activities. Near the Akahama Primary School in Otsuchi-Cho, Iwate Prefecture, there is a toppled down "Tsunami Disaster Monument," which states: "Earthquake at 2:30am on March 3, 1933, tsunami at 3:00am with 4.5m height - After an earthquake, be wary about tsunami. - When tsunami comes, escape to a high place. - Don't live in a dangerous area 26
4. Epilogue 2/2 Disasters befall us when we least expect them is a well known phrase of Torahiko Terada, a professor of geophysics at then Tokyo Imperial University and a famous essayist, who encountered the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Indeed, it is well said. is determined to keep contributing to the activities of disaster risk reduction as an NGO organization, with receiving supports and cooperation from related organizations and companies. 27
Thank you for your kind attention 28