3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on
Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction
3-1. Policy and Methods
3-1-1. Policies on Accumulation
Based on the resolutions of 23 countries in the Asian region, ADRC has been collecting andorganizing information on the situation of natural disasters in each country, as well asinformation, knowledge of and experiences with the systems, plans, and specific measures ofeach country for disaster reduction. This is to facilitate the sharing of information betweencountries. The development of such fundamental information network has been carried out withthe aim of promoting the establishment of national disaster reduction framework in eachcountry, and multinational cooperation for disaster reduction in Asia.
In addition, ADRC collected information from the disaster reduction officers of various
countries and other related organizations, and constructed a database of the latest information
on recent natural disasters and human resource information on specialists of disaster reduction,with the intention of disseminating the information.
Furthermore, it has also become possible to acquire more detailed and definite information,
which is reflected in disseminated information, more quickly and clearly, through collaboration
with visiting foreign researchers, the Asian Unit of the United Nations Office for theCoordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and OCHA ReliefWeb Office in Kobe.
ADRC plans to continue collecting detailed information on the following, and release theinformation through the Internet and other media:① Disaster management systems (judicial systems, organizations, basic plans, and manuals
on managing disasters, etc.)② Actual cases of disaster countermeasures③ Information on natural disasters (descriptions and damage incurred by earthquakes, floods,
cyclones, and other natural disasters)④ Human resource information (disaster reduction administrators, experts, internationalorganizations, private companies, NGO members, etc.)

3-1-2. Collecting Information from Member Countries
In fiscal 2001, as in the previous year, ADRC collected disaster reduction related information
on various counties through the following methods:

1) Requesting information from member countries
While gaining the understanding of each member country on the purposes of establishing theADRC and the need for multinational disaster reduction cooperation, ADRC has been asking
member countries to provide natural disaster information, as well as information on actual
disaster cases and disaster reduction systems, and have been receiving such information fromthese countries.
2) ADRC International Meeting
At the Fifth ADRC International Meeting (January 15 to 17, 2003), member countries, andadvisor countries, and countries and organizations participating as observers provided reports
and other materials that included natural disaster information, actual case studies for dealing
with disasters, and disaster reduction systems. They also voiced their requests concerning theactivities of ADRC.
During the Fifth ADRC International Meeting hosted by ADRC, two other important
meetings – the International Disaster Reduction and Humanities Symposium hosted by theDisaster Reduction Alliance (DRA) and the ISDR Asia Meeting hosted by ISDR and Japanese
government (Cabinet Office) – were held at the same conference center focusing on thecommon theme “Coping with the Earth: towards disaster-resilient society.” Taking theadvantages of this opportunity, the Fifth ADRC International Meeting was attended by many

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3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

disaster-related organizations from all over the world and achieved a broader understandingamong the participants for the need of building an international system facilitating strong
cooperation and collaboration through effective disaster information sharing.

3) Use of WWW (World Wide Web)
(1) Disaster reduction information in each country
Following the last fiscal year, ADRC has been using the Web to collect information on thedisaster reduction systems of various countries, as well as related information fromadministrators in charge at international organizations and countries. In particular, India has
been sending e-mails and disaster management information via the Web since the Gujarat
earthquake, which the ADRC places, on its homepage as needed.
In the future, it will be important to track the trends of disaster reduction information
supplied in various countries, as well as support the active construction of information supply
systems from various countries through technical support for the construction of mirror sites
and disaster information databases.
(2) Disaster reduction information of academic research institutions and international organizations
In addition to these efforts, international organizations and research centers are actively
collecting and providing disaster reduction information from various perspectives. Through thespread of Internet services, there has been a gradual establishment of systems able to share thisinformation over the Internet.
However, information is circulated via different and independent channels. As a result, it is
not always easy to access the exact information needed. To resolve this problem and promotedisaster-related information sharing, ADRC has proposed the use of common disaster IDs. The
disaster database (EM-DAT) run by CRED of Louvain Catholic University in Belgium provides
statistic data of disasters all over the world and is available over the Internet. While theEM-DAT serves as a database on statistical figures, OCHA provides information on natural
disasters and reliable information on disaster countermeasures and management in an effort tosupport humanitarian activities during disasters at its Relief Web site on the Internet. Using
common disaster IDs for the disaster reduction information will facilitate easy access to
information of both EM-DAT and OCHA. Promotion of the GLIDE (GLobal unique disaster
IDEntifier number) ID project launched last year is effective in integrating a variety of
information generated for the same disaster by different organizations concerned.

3-2. Information on Disaster Management Systems
3-2-1. Scope of Information
1) Judicial systems
Not all countries have fundamental laws like Japan’s “The Disaster Countermeasures BasicAct.” Some countries prescribe disaster management systems in accordance with government
decrees and rules of specified organizations. The background and process of formulating laws
and regulation vary from country to country, thereby there is no “Best way” common to allcountries. However, the sharing of national information concerning laws and regulations isconsidered a useful reference to countries that are attempting to establish legal systems orimprove their current systems.
2) Organization
Similar to the legal systems, organizations in charge of disaster reduction vary from country
to country. In addition, restructuring of these organizations is not unusual even when afundamental legal system concerning disaster reduction is maintained unchanged. Referring toorganizational systems of other countries may be useful because the purpose “disasterreduction” is common to all countries despite the differences in natural environments and socialand cultural backgrounds. Further, understanding of the roles of organizations and process flowof other countries is useful to promote international collaboration for disaster reduction.

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3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction3) Basic plans
Among the member countries, not many have systematic and strategic disaster management
systems based on a comprehensive disaster reduction plan. Disaster reduction plans opened toand shared by other countries will be good references for countries attempting to formulate orrevise their disaster reduction plan. Feedback and review from those countries will also beexpected and will be useful in promoting multinational disaster reduction collaboration.
4) Disaster manuals
Most disaster manuals or hazard maps are compiled by countries and regions based on thenatural disasters that the region or country has experienced, or by the type of natural disasterspecific to that country or region. However, the manuals and hazard maps developed
specifically for each country or region are not always capable of sharing the experiences andmeasures against disasters common to different countries and regions, thus preventing
international or inter-regional collaboration. ADRC has been making efforts since the previous
fiscal year to collect information to enable the sharing of these existing disastercountermeasures and disaster manuals and hazard maps. Situations change at an accelerated
speed due to urbanization and globazilation and ADRC will continue promoting theinter-regional and international sharing of experience, knowledge, and views on measures for
specific disasters that have been formed and accumulated in different countries and regions.

3-2-2. Level of Information Source
It is important to collect information not only at the national government level but also at
local government (city, town and village) and community levels. This is because that the first tocope with a disaster is the individuals, and then local communities and local government suchas city, town or village. Assistance at the national government or international level is given
only when the disaster exceeds the capability of the local government. Establishment of legal
systems and an organization at the national government level does not always mean theimprovement of actual and practical capabilities of disaster reduction and preparedness atregional and community levels including individual residents. To build a society prepared fordisasters, collaboration beyond the framework of different organizations is indispensable.
Integrating and sharing information of all levels is the first step to this goal.

3-2-3. Information Accumulation Methods
As indicated in 3-1-2, since the last fiscal year, ADRC has been accumulating information on
the disaster reduction systems of different countries by requesting information from member
countries, implementing field surveys, holding international conferences, and by its own uniquemethods using the Internet.
Table 3-2-3-1 lists the reports provided from counterparts of member countries. All suchreports are available on the ADRC website. In recent years, disaster reduction organizations ofmany countries are actively providing information over the Internet. Therefore, the ADRC
website has links to some of these websites where the latest information is available in a more
effective manner than viewing the reports on our website.

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Table. 3-2-3-1No.

List of reports from ADRC member countries

Country

Year prepared1

Armenia

2001, 2002

2

Bangladesh

1998, 1999, 2001

3

Cambodia

1998, 1999, 2002

4

China

1998, 1999

5India1998, 1999, 2002

6Indonesia

1998, 1999, 2002

7Japan1998, 1999, 2002

8

Kazakhstan

1998, 1999, 2002

9Korea10Kyrgyzstan

11

Laos

1998, 1999

12

Malaysia

1998, 1999

13

Mongolia

1998, 1999, 2002

14

Myanmar

2002

15

Nepal

1998, 1999

16

Papua New Guinea

1998, 1999

17

The Philippines

18

Russia1998, 1999

19

Singapore

1998, 1999, 2001, 200220

Sri Lanka

1998, 1999

21

Tajikistan

1998, 1999

22

Thailand

1998, 1999

23

Uzbekistan

1998, 1999

24

Vietnam

1998, 1999

1998, 1999, 2001, 2002
Now Preparing

1998, 1999, 2002

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3. Accumulation and Provision of Information on Natural Disasters and Disaster Reduction

3-2-4. Future Tasks
Concerning future tasks, ADRC plans to further reinforce and expand its database, analyzeinformation collected, and based on the data acquired, pinpoint the needs of different countries
to promote multi-national disaster reduction cooperation.

1) Reinforcement and expansion of the disaster reduction database
In order to share the information between countries concerning disaster reduction systems
accumulated at ADRC, the Center constructed a database on its homepage to enable free
retrieval and access of information on disaster reduction systems. It enabled many countries
and regions to establish and improve their own national or regional disaster reduction systems
while referring to actual examples from other countries. ADRC will continue its efforts in
updating and enhancing the contents of the database with the cooperation of member countries
to realize a more user-friendly disaster reduction database.
2) Analysis of information and dealing with the needs of countries
Analysis of information collected helps clarify the specific situations and needs of variouscountries. It is apparent that several countries already have national level disaster reduction
systems, while others are currently preparing to establish disaster reduction systems. We
believe that the former countries need to make various improvements to enhance and reinforce
their existing systems, and that priority should be given to help the latter group of nations tocomplete disaster reduction system development, which is the common challenge ofintra-region collaboration.
In order to reduce Asia’s vulnerability to natural disasters, it is essential for countries toconsider disaster reduction measures in their basic national long-term plans. To realize this, it isfirst necessary to heighten the disaster reduction awareness of the government as well as among
the population. To attain the goal of building societies fully aware of importance not only ofpost-disaster emergency assistance but also of their own disaster reduction activities,
lawmakers, policy makers, and planners should appropriately prioritize and continue to always
include the disaster reduction issue in the basic plans of their country and region.
3) Promotion of cooperation
As agreed at both the 5th ADRC International Meetings (Jan. 15 and 16, 2003), it is vital thatdisaster reduction administrators and specialists of member countries exchange the latest
information on disaster reduction systems and measures by continuing to hold regular meetings.
It is equally important that researchers from member countries working at ADRC help topromote active personnel and information exchanges in the Asian region taking advantage ofthe visiting researcher program, which started in July 1999. In addition, to reduce the damage
from natural disasters in Asia, while serving as a mediator, the ADRC is required to form anetwork of personnel involved in disaster reduction, technologies, and physical resources
between Japan and the other countries of Asia, in order to stimulate exchanges.

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