2. CollectionandDistributionof Information
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2-3. Information on Disaster Management Systems
The major components of a disaster management system include the legal system, organizations,basic plans, and disaster manuals.

(1) Legal frameworks
Not all countries have national laws comparable to Japan's “Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act.”The cultural backgrounds and processes for formulating laws and regulations vary from country tocountry, and there is no single “best way” for all countries to follow. Still, sharing information on thedisaster legislation adopted in different countries can provide useful reference material for countries
striving to establish similar legal frameworks or to improve their current frameworks.

(2) Organizations
As is the case for legal frameworks, disaster reduction agencies vary from country to country.
These organizations are often restructured while the fundamental legal framework for disaster
reduction remains unchanged. National variations in environmental conditions and socio-cultural
backgrounds do not reduce the significance of studying the organizational systems of other countries
since disaster reduction is a common purpose shared by all nations. Knowledge of the roles andchains of command adopted in the organizations of other countries is also important for facilitatinginternational collaboration on disaster reduction.

(3) Basic plans
Many member countries have yet to develop comprehensive disaster reduction plans designed to
strategically strengthen their disaster preparedness. Open and shared information on the disaster
reduction plans adopted in other countries will serve as a useful resource to countries planning toformulate or revise their disaster reduction plans. Feedback and reviews from these countries will
also be useful in promoting multinational collaboration on disaster reduction.

(4) Disaster manuals
Most disaster manuals or hazard maps are compiled based on the natural disasters experienced by aparticular country or region, or based on the type of natural disaster specific to a particular area.
However, inaccessibility to such manuals and hazard maps makes it difficult for countries andregions that have suffered similar disasters to share experiences and information on countermeasures,and can hamper the actual implementation of international, regional, national, or inter-regional
cooperation. ADRC is therefore committed to collecting information and facilitating the sharing ofexisting disaster manuals and hazard maps. Waves of urbanization and globalization continue toaccelerate the pace of change, and ADRC will continue its efforts to promote the exchange ofvaluable experiences, knowledge, and views of disaster management measures that have beenaccumulated throughout Asia.

(5) Levels of information sources
Since the first responders in a disaster situation are individuals, local communities, and municipalgovernments (cities, towns, or villages), it is important to collect information not only at the nationallevel, but also at the local government (city, town, and village) and community levels. Central
governments and the international community step in only when a disaster exceeds the capabilities oflocal governments. Legal and organizational frameworks established by a central government alone
do not automatically improve actual disaster reduction capabilities and preparedness down to themunicipal and grassroots levels. To build a disaster-resistant society, cross-organizational
cooperation is indispensable. Information sharing at all levels is the first step toward this goal.

(6) Reports from member countries
In 2008, ADRC continued its effort to gather information on the disaster reduction systems ofmember countries by issuing requests for information, conducting field surveys, and holding
international conferences, and by through its own unique methods using the Internet. All thesereports are available on the ADRC website. In recent years, the disaster reduction organizations ofmany countries have been actively promoting information dissemination over the Internet. The
ADRC website has links to these websites in situations where it is more efficient to point users tothose sites for the latest information than to add reports to the ADRC website.
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