1. Asian Disaster Reduction Center.

ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER

Asian Disaster Reduction Center

The Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) was established in 1998 as a regional initiative aimed atenhancing disaster resilience, building safer communities, and creating a society where sustainable
development is attainable among its 31-member countries (Annex 1: History of Establishment of ADRC).

1.1

Key Activities

At the end of every fiscal year, ADRC develops an Annual Report highlighting its achievements andmilestones along these three pillars of activities:·

Information sharing. This pillar includes the ADRC website, Global unique disaster IDEntifier (GLIDE)

number system, Sentinel Asia, and Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR).
·

Human resource development. This pillar includes the Visiting Researchers (VR) program, seminars,
workshops, and training activities on disaster risk reduction (DRR).

·

Cooperation among member countries and partner organizations. This pillar includes development
and promotion of innovative tools as well as forging partnerships and networks to advance resilience todisasters (e.g., research and international engagements).

After 21 years functioning as part of the Urban Disaster Research Institute (URDI), ADRC became
independent and obtained a corporate status in April 2020 following the launch of the ADRC Foundation.
Under this newly reconfigured status, ADRC gained greater flexibility in performing its international operations
as well as bolstering its domestic activities.

1.2

Composition

ADRC is composed of member and advisor
countries (Figure 1.1. Map of member andadvisorcountries)

organizations.

asMemberwell

aspartnercountries

share

information, experiences, and expertise on
DRR

and

ADRC

disseminatesthem

regionally by means of dispatching of experts
and other methods. Advisor countries support
the activities of ADRC by sharing theirexperiencesandexperiences

throughdispatch of experts to member countries and
ADRC and offer of financial contributions.

Figure 1.1 Map of member and advisor countries

3

Section 1

1.

ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER

Section 1

1.2.1

Member and Advisor Countries

During its establishment in 1998, ADRC was comprised of 22-member countries, 4-advisor countries, and 1observer organization. As time goes by, the membership has been expanding, with Armenia joining in August
2000, the Kyrgyz Republic in July 2002, Pakistan in July 2005, Yemen and Bhutan in December 2007,
Azerbaijan in 2009, the Maldives in 2010, the Republic of Iran in 2012, and Türkiye in 2018, bringing thenumber of member countries to 31 (as of 31 March 2023). In March 2004, the US joined as the fifth advisor
country to ADRC (Table 1.1. Member and Advisor Countries).
Table1.1 Timeline of the Expansion of Member and Advisor Countries

1998(At the time offoundation)

India, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, China, Japan, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,
Bangladesh, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Lao PDR and
Russia (Member countries: 22)
Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand and France (Advisor countries: 4)
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (Observer)

2000

Armenia

2002

Kyrgyz Republic

2004

USA (Advisor country)

2005

Pakistan

2007

Bhutan, Yemen

2009

Azerbaijan

2010

Maldives

2012

Islamic Republic of Iran2018

Türkiye

ADRC’s counterparts are the disaster risk management (DRM) agencies (Table 1.2).
Table 1.2 Counterpart Agencies

Country

4

Counterpart

Armenia

Regional Survey for Seismic Protection (RSSP), Ministry of Internal Affairs

Azerbaijan

Ministry of Emergency Situations

Bangladesh

Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief

BhutanMinistry of Home Affairs

Cambodia

The National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM)

China

National Disaster Reduction Center of China

India

Ministry of Home Affairs

Indonesia

The National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB)ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTERCounterpart

IranNational Disaster Management Organization (NDMO)

Japan

Cabinet Office

Kazakhstan

Ministry of Emergency Situations

Republic of Korea

Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS)

Kyrgyz Republic

Ministry of Emergency Situations

Lao PDR

Disaster Prevention and Risk Reduction Division, Social Welfare Department,
Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Malaysia

National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)

Maldives

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Mongolia

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

Myanmar

Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief andResettlement

Nepal

Ministry of Home Affairs

Pakistan

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Papua New Guinea

National Disaster Centre (NDC), Ministry of Defence

Philippines

Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of National Defense (DND)

RussiaMinistry of the Russian Federation for Affairs Civil Defense, Emergencies andElimination of Consequences of Natural (EMERCOM)

Singapore

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)

Sri Lanka

Disaster Management Centre, Ministry of Defence

Tajikistan

Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense

Thailand

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Ministry of Interior

Türkiye

Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), Ministry of Interior

Uzbekistan

Ministry of Emergency Situations

Viet Nam

Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development (MARD)

Yemen

Ministry of Water and Environment

Section 1

Country

5

ASIAN DISASTER REDUCTION CENTER

1.2.2

Partner Organizations

Section 1

To contribute to the efforts of disaster risk reduction in Asia, ADRC considers a global perspective incooperation with a variety of UN agencies and international organizations or initiatives, such as the United
Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

6

2. Highlights of FY2022.

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

2.

Highlights of FY2022

Towards the end of Fiscal Year 2022, ADRC activities were gradually implemented in-person, including the
Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR2022) which was held in March 2023 in Sendai, Japan. It

2.1

Section 2

signaled the lifting of restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities in Figures

At a glance, Figure 2.1 shows the ADRC milestones of FY2022 in three activities areas: 1) information
sharing; 2) human resource development; and 3) international cooperation.

Figure 2.1 Highlights of ADRC Activities in FY2022

2.2

Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2022

Organized in a hybrid format to reach a broader participation of member countries, the ACDR2022, held on
10–12 March 2023, gathered 84 in-person participants from 17 countries in Sendai International Center,
Miyagi Prefecture and attracted 121 online participants from 22 countries. ACDR2022 adopted the theme,“WHAT IS NEXT? Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future”. Since 2023 marks the 100th year of theGreat Kanto Earthquake that struck Tokyo in 1923, ACDR2022 organized a special session to commemorate
and discuss the lessons from thedisaster. ACDR2022 had three key
thematic sessions:1)

Large-Scale

Disasters

andCountermeasures; 2) Broaden Our
Horizons for Disaster Data Linkage in
SFDRR Implementation: Application
of

GLIDE

(GLobalIDEntifier

Number); and 3) The Provision ofInformation via Satellite for Disasterand Crisis Management.

Figure 2.2 Group Photo at the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction 2022

9

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

2.2.1

Opening and Keynote Speeches

Mr TANI Koichi (Minister of State for Disaster Management and Ocean Policy and a member of the House ofRepresentatives of the Government of Japan), when referring to the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes of 6 February
2023, said that he was saddened by the situation knowing that over 40,000 people died or missing while
Section 2

thousands of houses collapsed. He stressed that the Japanese government is committed to providing theutmost support to the people in the disaster-affected areas based on their needs. He also stated that lessons
from recent disaster experiences need to widely shared in the conference to help strengthen disasterprevention measures and accelerate the implementation of reconstruction projects. He hoped that theconference will serve as a starting point to further enhance disaster risk reduction measures andsubsequently strengthen solidarity among countries.
Mr Yunus SEZER (Head, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Türkiye), in his message which
was read by Mr SASAHARA Akio of ADRC, expressed gratitude for the solidarity and generosity of the people
around the world whom he believed as “a beacon of hope” for the people of Türkiye during the difficult time.
The earthquakes, with more than 15,000 aftershocks in four weeks, affected 11 provinces, directly impacting
approximately 110,000 km2. Türkish government, through the Disaster and Emergency Management
Presidency (AFAD) received an overwhelming support from 86 countries that sent search and rescue teams
After the message, a minute of silence was observed for the people affected by the earthquakes.
Dr HAMADA Masanori (Chairman of ADRC and Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Science andEngineering of Waseda University), in his remarks, said that the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes revealed that
there remains a huge number of vulnerable houses and buildings all over the world without reinforcement.

Since Türkiye is member of ADRC, and in his capacity as chairman, he encouraged all member countries tofurther strengthen their partnerships to assist and support the people in affected areas and to provide
guidance for a resilient recovery.

Figure 2.3 Keynote Speakers at the Opening Session of ACDR2022

Ms KORI Kazuko (Mayor of Sendai City) said that March 11 marks the 12th year of the Great East Japan
Earthquake, and once again DRR practitioners, experts, and officials from different countries gathered in
Sendai to learn and discuss preparedness measures against earthquakes, tsunamis, and the intensifying
storms and floods. Corollary to this, and in accordance with the midterm review of the Sendai Framework for
DRR 2015–2030 (SFDRR), she noted that Sendai City drafted an interim report on the progress of
implementing the SFDRR from the perspective of the local government. She ended her remarks with a10

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

commitment that Sendai City will pass on the lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake to Asian
countries and the world.
2.2.2

Special Session on the Centenary of the Great Kanto Earthquake

This special session comprised three discussion topics: 1) Lessons learned from the 1923 Kanto earthquake
Awaji Earthquake and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake; and 3) What needs to be done to mitigate
damage in disaster-prone Asia. Panel members comprised four renowned experts: 1) Dr HAMADA Masanori,
Chairman of ADRC and Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University;2) Dr ITO Shigeru, President of ADRC and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo; 3) Dr HASEMI Yuji,
Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University; and 4) ProfSHIGEKAWA Kishie, Professor at the Faculty of Social and Environmental Studies of Tokoha University. Mr
YOSHIMURA Hidemi, former Chief Commentator at NHK Japan Broadcasting Corporation moderated thisspecial session. Outcomes of the special session highlighted the following observations and lessons.

Figure 2.4 Speakers of the Special Session on the Centenary of the Great Kanto Earthquake

Observations·

The Great Kanto Earthquake was seen as the catalyst for a major step-up in architecture and urbanism
in Japan·

It inspired efforts for safe town planning, embracing modern urban design for reconstruction·

It inspired seismic design, leading to the enforcement of Urban Building Act in 1920·

It inspired the introduction of fire control measures in metropolitan areas·

It inspired improvement in legal systems for assisting victims and maintaining records

11

Section 2

and subsequent countermeasures; 2) New findings and remaining challenges from the 1995 Great Hanshin-HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

Lessons·

Large-scale disasters could inform disaster preparedness efforts, particularly in the areas of town
planning, building safety, and development of parks and disaster prevention centers·

Recovery from large-scale disasters could trigger societal and technological changes (e.g., providing tax

Section 2

exemption incentives/preferential loan interest rates for earthquake-resistant buildings or promote theconstruction of tsunami evacuation towers/breakwaters)·

Large-scale disasters could also inform the mitigation measures against major earthquakes that are
predicted to occur in the future (e.g., Nankai Trough)Mr YOSHIMURA concluded the special session by proposing the concept of “Ethical DRR”. This conceptmeans that all DRR efforts should not be confined within the scope of legal regulations but they should also
promote ethical perspectives such as saving lives, leaving no one behind, and ensuring that people are safe
from disasters through investments prevention and mitigation efforts.
2.2.3

Session 1: Large Scale Disasters and Countermeasures

This session shared information on the current situation and responses to large-scale disasters, which areintensifying around the world due to the climate crisis and increasing economic damage due to the progressof urbanization, and the cascading and compounding of disasters. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity tolearn about disaster risk management (DRM) systems, including more effective investment in advanced DRR
and DRM measures.

Figure 2.5 Speakers of Session 1 of ACDR2022

Dr SAKAMOTO Mayumi (Professor, Graduate School of Disaster Resilience and Governance, University of
Hyogo) moderated this session. She stressed the importance of improving the countermeasures for large
disasters. For instance, water-related disasters, such as the unusually prolonged floods in Pakistan in 2022,
are getting more frequent and intense. Earthquakes, such as those in Türkiye and Syria in February 2023,

12

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

were shown to have unknown dynamics and unpredictable occurrence. It was noted that these disasters
often cross-national borders and affect people living in different countries.
Dr ARASHIMA Chizu (Professor, International and European Union Law, Faculty of Global Communication,
Kobe Gakuin University) presented the issues in transboundary disaster governance from the perspective ofagreements between countries on addressing transboundary disasters.
Mr Saleem Shahzad Malik (Director, Disaster Risk Reduction, National Disaster Management Authority,
Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan) presented the disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption activities
in Pakistan. In particular, the government is strengthening its disaster management system to address
extreme events such as the prolonged and devastating floods in 2022. Additionally, the government has been
adopting new technology in disaster risk management as well as utilizing scientific data to further enhance its
disaster risk reduction strategies.
Dr Le Minh Nhat (Deputy Director, Department of Natural Disaster Response and Recovery, Vietnam
Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam) presented an
overview of the disaster risk management system in Vietnam. He said that flood is the most frequent disasterin the country. To address this, major financial and structural investments have been promoted in flood
control and management. In fact, Vietnam’s National DRR Plan 2021–2025 puts greater priority on flood
control projects.
Mr Serik Aubakiro (Acting Director, Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction) introduced
the roles and functions of the Center for Emergency Situations and Disaster Risk Reduction (CESDRR),

which is a permanent intergovernmental body to help address transboundary disasters and emergencies.
CESDRR was established through the agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to achieve the following objectives: 1) cooperation in disasterrisk reduction, prevention, and elimination of emergency situations; 2) mitigate factors of disaster risk,
identify, assess, forecast and monitor emergency situation hazards; 3) coordinate mutual efforts andstrengthen preparedness for effective and timely response to emergencies; 4) implement regional andinternational cooperation in DRR and emergency management; and 5) increase the safety of life activities ofthe population during natural and man-made disasters.
Outcomes of Session 1 called for the following actions:1) Strengthening transboundary disaster governance,such as the CESDRR initiative in Central Asia; 2) Improving the disaster risk management systems as shownin the flood disaster experience in Pakistan using science-based data on climate change; and 3) Investing
more in DRR, such as the financial investment in flood control and management in Vietnam.
2.2.4

Session 2: Disaster Data Linkage: Application of GLIDEThis session reviewed the current status of disaster data management in Asia and introduced some tools andpractices to effectively deal with the data from a wide range of stakeholders. It aimed at contributing to the
SFDRR Target G-5: Number of countries that have accessible, understandable, usable, and relevant disasterrisk information and assessment available to the people at the national and local level.

13

Section 2

international law. She highlighted the importance of science-based data in negotiating treaties or bilateral

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

Section 2

Figure 2.6 Speakers of Session 2 of ACDR2022

Mr Julio Serje (Consultant of ADRC and Director of RobotSearch Software Inc.) moderated this session. In
the introduction, he emphasized the challenges relating to disaster data management in disaster risk
reduction. On one hand, there are still gaps in maintaining damage and losses data. On the other hand, mostof the disaster data remain aggregated. These challenges exist on top of the fact that disaster data is getting
more complex, and therefore, linkages of various data management tools in the region need to be promoted.
Dr Animesh Kumar (Head, UNDRR Office in Bonn, UNDRR) reported the progress in monitoring the SFDRR.
He mentioned that as of February 2023, there are already 156 countries using Sendai Framework Monitor toreport on SFDRR progress. He also noted the usability of SFDRR targets and indicators such as its
application in several intergovernmental processes. Meanwhile, the data has helped on SDGs reporting andare also being used by partner organizations in their thematic reports and programs Dr Kumar also added thatthe challenge in reporting is that developing countries, especially least developed countries (LDCs) and Small
Island Developing States (SIDS), are struggling to provide data to all targets and all indicators for the SFM. To
help advance monitoring, new models and tools are being developed particularly in tracking of disaster losses
and damages. The new model is expected to link climate-related variables, losses and damages, and disasterevents.
Mr Demberelnyam Baasansuren (Director, Risk Management Department, National Emergency Management
Agency, Mongolia) presented the practices and challenges of disaster data gathering and sharing in
Mongolia. These include the Spatial Information System that National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) established in 2019 to share hazard information nationwide. She shared that barriers todisseminating the registration templates and guidance to respective stakeholders for collecting raw data areamong the challenges in data gathering. In addition, there is limited human and technological capacities toprovide an understanding of collecting and generating reliable data. As a way forward, NEMA will strengthen

14

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

their knowledge and understanding of data disaggregation and its importance, through training and otheroutreach activities.
Dr Chihun Lee (Senior Research Officer, National Disaster Management Research Institute, Ministry of theInterior and Safety, Republic of Korea) talked about the international cooperation on disaster risk reduction
government to install flood early warning systems, with emphasis on communication protocol.
Mr Rajesh Sharma, (Program Specialist (Global), Disaster Risk Information and Application Crisis Bureau,
Bangkok Regional Hub of UNDP, Bangkok, Thailand) introduced UNDP’s Digital Disaster Risk Reduction
Maturity Model (DDRRMM). It is a diagnostic tool for the maturity of the digital ecosystem of disaster risk
reduction and management practices. In developing this tool, UNDP conducted in-depth analysis of various
national disaster database systems to support the new generation of disaster data and information systems inline with the level of digital maturity in countries. He highlighted the importance of digital and data governancefor DRRM and the need for its promotion through legal and institutional frameworks, policies, strategies,
action plans, and practical guidelines.
Mr Keith Paolo C. Landicho (Disaster Monitoring and Analysis Officer, ASEAN Coordinating Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management) presented the evolution of the ASEAN Disaster
Information Network (ADINet), which is a repository of information concerning hazards and disasters that
occurred in Southeast Asian region. ADINet has two types of linkages. One is “existing linkages” that includes
linkages for validation, linkages for research application, and linkages for coverage. The other is “external
linkages” that includes linkages for integration and linkages for enhancement. ADINet’s linkage with GLIDE isunder the linkages for integration.
Dr SHIOMI Yumi (Senior Researcher, ADRC), presented the GLIDE improvements, particularly its open
governance and better functionality. In terms of governance, a steering committee was established in 2021 as
well as the three subcommittees: API, SOP, and New Product Development. In terms of functionality, two new
manuals were drafted. Crowdsourcing was also introduced in 2022 to allow users to report “missing disasters
in the GLIDE database.” Linkages of GLIDE with other disaster data management tools have been constantly
coordinated, such as linkage with Reliefweb, Sentinel Asia, United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT),
ADINet, and ESCAP.
Outcomes of Session 2 called for the following actions: 1) Making disaster data accessible, understandable,
and usable to people at the national and local levels, such as Mongolia’s initiative on disaster data
governance; and 2) Promoting further linkages of the disaster data management tools, which include: the newmodel of losses and damage tracking of UNDRR, the DDRRMM of UNDP, ADINet of AHA Centre/ASEAN,
and the GLIDE of ADRC.
2.2.5

Session 3: Provision of Information via Satellite for DM

This session provided an overview of the utilization of the Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for disasterand crisis management (DC Report) and the outcomes of QZSS DC Report demonstrations in somecountries.

15

Section 2

focusing on flood early warning systems He highlighted their cooperation project with the Philippine

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

Section 2

Figure 2.7 Speakers of Session 3 of ACDR2022

Dr Gerald Potutan (Senior Researcher at ADRC and Visiting Associate Professor at Kobe University)
moderated this session. He noted that in many remote, mountainous, and island areas of the Asian region,
people have limited or no access to internet or cellular communications. Oftentimes, the warning information
to evacuate does not reach the people at-risk. Providing the warning information via QZSS helps address thischallenge as it directly transmits the message to: 1) individuals with receivers/terminals; 2) outdoor electronic
facilities/boards; and 3) ground receivers that activate community alarms (e.g., siren and beam lights).
Mr HONGO Nobuo (Deputy Director, National Space Policy Secretariat, QZSS Strategy Office, Cabinet
Office, Japan) explained about the Satellite Report for Disaster and Crisis Management (DC Report), which isone of the services under QZSS. With this service, disaster management agencies can provide warning
information via QZSS satellites to at-risk communities, even in the absence of internet or cellular services. He
added that as of December 2022, approximately 390 products are compatible with QZSS. Using some ofthese products (e.g., smartphone apps), demonstrations of QZSS utilization were conducted in Australia, Fiji,and Thailand.
Ms Runjie Gou (GIS Engineer, Social Innovation Division, NTT DATA Corporation) presented the outline andprogress of the QZSS Project, which is jointly implemented by five partner organizations: Cabinet Office ofJapan, NTT Data Corporation, Keio University, PASCO Corporation, Asia Air Survey, and ADRC. Ms Gou
said that the main purpose of the project is to create a system using the QZSS DC Report service that is
tailored to each country’s needs and environment. It also aims to conduct QZSS DC Report Demonstrations
before it officially starts operation in 2024. In the demonstrations, the project will identify requirements andissues for deployment of the system.
Dr Hasi Bateer (Hasi Lab Director, Advanced Technologies Research Laboratory, Infrastructure Systems
Development Center, Asia Air Survey, Co. Ltd.) reported the outcomes of the feasibility study for disaster
information system using QZSS. The study covered 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific regions and16

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

investigated the following: 1) Conditions for receiving QZSS, 2) Specific disaster cases and issues; and 3)
Early Warning System implementation needs. The outcomes highlighted information transmission issues,
which includes: distortion of information as it passes through many channels; delayed arrival of information;and limited coverage of telecommunications network. In order to have an effective transmission of warning
robustness, immediacy, correctness, and comprehensiveness.
Mr ICHIKAWA Ryunosuke (Assistant Manager, Social Innovation Division, NTT DATA Corporation) presented
results of QZSS validations conducted in Thailand, Fiji, and Australia.
In Thailand, the scenario was forest fire. By using QZSS, rangers can receive information directly wherever
they are in the park. In Fiji, the scenario is tsunami and station devices can receive QZSS transmission andtransmit it further through low power wide area network (LPWAN). In Australia, the scenario is bushfire.
Information from QZSS can be received through smartphones. Following up on these promising results, thenext demonstration will be intended to be more practical, which may include residents receiving messages onmobile terminals by using different communication methods (e.g., Wi-Fi, LPWAN, and Bluetooth).
Ms Vasiti SOKO (Director, National Disaster Management Office, Fiji) mentioned that one of the reasons forusing QZSS in Fiji is its location in the Pacific Ocean, which is hazard-prone and has limited risk
communication system. In addition, Fiji is also situated in between Vanuatu and Samoa that are also prone todisasters. Since National Disaster Management Office Fiji is strengthening its disaster management system,
including early warning system, the utilization of the QZSS DC Report service in Fiji is a welcome endeavor.
Mr Socheath So (Senior Technical Officer, The National Committee for Disaster Management, Cambodia)

introduced Cambodia's disaster risk management information system called, Platform for Real-time Impact
and Situation Monitoring (PRISM). This platform links the field assessment information, early warning
systems, satellite data, and baseline population and socio-economic vulnerability data to effectively measure
the risk and its impact. QZSS is expected to augment the PRISM by providing a warning informationtransmission system that is tailored to the local environment.
Outcomes of Session 3 called for the following actions: 1) Promoting the provision of warning information via
QZSS to directly transmit warning information to the communities at-risk; and 2) Conducting QZSSDemonstrations in countries of Asia and Pacific regions to tailor the prototype receiver according to the local
environmental conditions.
2.2.6

Field Visits

Participants visited three places in Yuriage, Natori City: 1) Earthquake Reconstruction Museum, 2) Teizan
Canal and Restoration Public Houses, and 3) Kawamachi Terrace Yuriage. At the Earthquake Reconstruction
Museum, the Mayor of Natori City explained the facility's function as a flood defence in times of emergencies.
He also noted that the population in the area initially declined after the earthquake but after promoting thetown plan, the population in the area gradually increased. At the Teizan Canal and the Reconstruction Public
Housing area, participants were able to see works of raising land level and the tsunami emergency
evacuation site set up in the public housing. At the Kawamachi Terrace Yuriage, participants witnessed theoverflowing influx of locals and tourists. They also learned about the disaster risk reduction function of thecommercial center. During the field trip, some participants raised questions about the specific community

17

Section 2

information, the study recommended that following characteristics must be present in the information system:HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

development measure and reconstruction policy implemented by Natori City and showed great interest in thereconstruction efforts in the area.

Section 2

Figure 2.8 ACDR2022 participants during the field visit in Yuriage, Natori City

2.2.7

Side Event: JIPAD Seminar

One of the side events at ACDR2022 was the Japan International
Public-Private Association for Disaster Risk Reduction (JIPAD)

Seminar, which was organized by the Cabinet Office on March 10,2023. Participants of ACDR2022 from member countries joined theseminar and learned about the JIPAD's initiatives, as well as
introduction of DRR technologies developed by JIPAD participatingcompanies. The main objective of the seminar was to promote
Japanese disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and technologies
abroad and build DRR capacity around the world with the aim ofcontributing to the achievement of SFDRR and the SDGs. The JIPAD
Seminar showcased Japanese technologies pertaining to: 1) roaddevelopment, 2) housing constructions, 3) multi-purpose helicopters,4) earthquake sensors, and 5) radio communication systems to further

enhance disaster management.
Figure 2.9 Agenda of the JIPAD Seminar

2.3

Report on Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes 2023

Türkiye is a member of ADRC since 2018 with the AFAD as the counterpart agency. Following theearthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023, ADRC coordinated various actions. A brief report of these
activities is available on the website: https://www.adrc.asia/publications/disaster_report/index.php

18

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

2.3.1

Issuance of GLIDE numbers

GLIDE numbers for the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February 2023 were issued as follows:
Türkiye: EQ-2023-000015-TUR·

Syria: EQ-2023-000015-SYR

Section 2·

With the GLIDE numbers issued, all information related to these earthquakes are integrated.
2.3.2

Satellite imageries

Below are some satellite imageries that ADRC requested from Sentinel Asia on behalf of AFAD. The satellite
imageries were analyzed and AFAD utilized it for disaster response, including assessment of impacts.

These emergency observation satellite imageries are available online: https://sentinel-asia.org/EO/2023/
article20230206TR.html.

Figure 2.10 Satellite imageries of the 2023 Türkiye Earthquakes from Sentinel Asia

2.3.3

Assessments

ADRC initially gathered impact assessment of the Türkiye-Syria earthquakes, including those presented at the
ACDR2022 on 11 March 2023, which includes:·

The main shock occurred close to the border of Türkiye and Syria·

11 out of 81 provinces in Türkiye were affected by the earthquakes·

Total population of the 11 earthquake-affected provinces is 14,013,496 (which is 16.4% of the national
population of 85,279,553 people)·

AFAD, with the support of World Bank (WB), UNDP, and European Union (EU), published the Post
Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on 23 March 2023

https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/

uploads/2023/03/Turkiye-Recovery-and-Reconstruction-Assessment.pdf

19

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

Section 2

Figure 2.11 List of Provinces affected and the Seismic Activity map of the 2023 Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes

2.4
With

Tsunami Seminar 2022
theTsunamitheme,
Risk“UnderstandingandEnhancing

Practical Countermeasures”, ADRC
organized an online tsunami seminaron 15 June 2022. The seminar was
aimed at improving knowledge on
tsunami risk, especially with regard to
non-earthquake sources of tsunami.
Outcomes of the seminar provided
insights

onaugmenting

physicalcountermeasures (e.g., levees) and
improving practical countermeasuresatthecommunity

awareness-raising,level(e.g.,

Figure 2.12 Speakers of ADRC Online Tsunami Seminar 2022

actionable early

warning, and simple evacuation procedures). Speakers in this seminar, were: (1) Dr Teuku Alvisyahrin,

Professor at Syiah Kuala University and Former Head of Professional Services Division of the Tsunami andDisaster Mitigation Research Center, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; (2) Mr Somneuk Swatteuk, Disaster Early
Warning Specialist at the National Disaster Warning Center of the Department of Disaster Prevention and
Mitigation, Ministry of Interior in Thailand; and (3) Mr ARAKIDA Masaru, Director of the Research Departmentof ADRC, Kobe, Japan. Dr Gerald Potutan, Senior Researcher at ADRC, served as moderator while Mr
NAKAGAWA Masaaki, Executive Director of ADRC, provided synthesis of the discussions. Below is a list of
messages from the event:·

Tsunami risk is dynamic. As shown in the experiences of Thailand and Indonesia, tsunami risk can
increase or decrease depending on the community’s ability to reduce vulnerability.

20

HIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022·

Practical countermeasures need to be scaled-up to enhance community resilience. It is important toexchange experiences in practical countermeasures (e.g., how to evacuate the pregnant, disabled, andelderly during tsunami) so that communities can further learn and improve their efforts.

·

Space-based technology augments response efforts during tsunami disaster. Satellites imageries during
before and after photos.

Through this seminar, information about tsunami risk were greatly understood. Hence, ADRC will continue
sharing Tsunami DRR experiences and lessons to pass on to the next generation.

2.5

Workshop at the BOSAI KOKUTAI 2022

Within the context of the BOSAI KOKUTAI 2022, ADRC organized a workshop on 22 October 2022 entitled,“Differences in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) between Japan and other countries as seen by foreign
residents: Cooperation starts from understanding the differences.” Speakers at the workshop discussed arange of issues, including the engagement of foreign residents in disaster prevention activities, risk
communication, and ways to bridge the differences in DRM practices among Asian countries.
Dr Khaerunnisa (Head, Master of the Architecture Program, University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta, Indonesia), a
former foreign student in Osaka, pointed that in Japan, foreign students can organize themselves to establish
a network of support and disaster information from mass media, TV, the internet, and radio are readily
accessible to foreign students. By contrast, in Indonesia, government agencies facilitate the organization ofcommunity networks (including student networks) to build a strong support system in times of disaster.

Figure 2.13 Participants of ADRC Workshop at the BOSAI KOKUTAI 2022

21

Section 2

the Great East Japan Earthquake were valuable in assessing tsunami disaster impacts by comparingHIGHLIGHTS OF FY2022

Mr NAGANO Koichi (Director, Policy Planning and
Coordination

Department,

Hyogo

International

Association)highlighted

HyogoInternational

Association’s (HIA) efforts to support foreign residents
Section 2

during disasters. Among the efforts he mentioned
were: 1) a multilingual bulletin board, aimed atproviding information on disaster preparation andevacuation in times of disaster; 2) a Disaster
Preparedness Guide for Children and Parents, which is
to be disseminated to all residents; and 3) the My

Evacuation

Card,

a

card

that

providessimpleinstructions for evacuation in nine different languages.
Mr MAMIYA Keita (Risk Management Section Officer,
Policy Department, Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture)sharedKusatsuCity’spioneering

programoforganizing “Foreign Firefighters.” During normal times,
foreign firefighters receive training and participate indisaster risk reduction activities, including seminars
and lectures. During emergencies, foreign firefighters
also help in disseminating information via social media,
support safe evacuation, and assist in counsellingusing their respective native languages.

Figure 2.14 Flyer of the Workshop
at the BOSAI KOKUTAI 2022

Dr Gerald Potutan (Senior Researcher, ADRC) presented the results of an online survey that looked into thedifferences in DRM practices between Japan and other countries. The study showed that foreign residents
perceived Japan’s DRM practices (e.g., hazard maps, disaster drills, evacuation guidance, and early
warnings) to be “excellent” compared with their respective countries of origin. The study also showed that“language barrier” hinders risk communication. So, the use of visual tools (e.g., images, drawings, and signs);
reaching out to foreign residents early on (e.g., during arrival and registration) regarding disaster
preparedness; and enhancing multilingual services (e.g., offering translations and subtitles in morelanguages) are among the actions that the respondents recommended.
In closing, Mr ARAKIDA Masaru (Director, Researcher Department, ADRC), who moderated the workshop,

acknowledged that since foreign residents in Japan come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, Japanese
local governments can experience difficulties in communicating disaster risk. He said that the outcomes of theworkshop can offer insights on how to address this challenge. He also mentioned that all workshop materials
would be made available on the ADRC website at: https://www.adrc.asia/workshop/2022bosaikokutai.php.

22

3. Information Sharing on DRR

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

3.

Information Sharing on DRR

ADRC shares disaster risk reduction (DRR) information, including those on ADRC website https://www.adrc.asia/latest/, to member countries and the general public. Information shared online includes
documented experiences, lessons, tools, practices, and analyses of data that are useful for preparedness,
mitigation, response, and recovery activities.

3.1

Information Collection

member-countries, partner organizations, and networks:·

Disaster risk management systems (e.g., legal and institutional frameworks, disaster management plans,
and manuals)·

Disaster response and recovery activities (e.g., emergency response activities in affected area/country)·

Disaster events due to natural hazards (e.g., descriptions of natural disasters such as earthquakes,
floods, cyclones, and so on, and the damages)

The Visiting Researchers (VRs) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(UNOCHA) play important role in the information collection.
3.1.1

Country Reports on DRR

Member countries regularly provide an updated Country Report to ADRC, which include information about
natural hazards, disaster management systems, DRR strategy/plan, recent disasters, and progress in
implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Table 3.1 shows the updated record for

FY2022.
Table 3.1. List of reports from ADRC member countries

Country

Year prepared(Update frequency is different as it is made by VRs of the year.)

Armenia

2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021,
2022

Azerbaijan

2011, 2014

Bangladesh

1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2020, 2021

Bhutan2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019

Cambodia

1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2013

China

1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2012

India

1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022

Indonesia

1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2016

Iran

2013

Japan

1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019,2020, 2021, 2022

25

Section 3

Basically, ADRC collects the following types of DRR information through the contributions and reports from

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRRCountry

Section 3

3.1.2

Year prepared(Update frequency is different as it is made by VRs of the year.)Kazakhstan

1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006

Republic of Korea

1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008

Kyrgyz Republic

2005, 2006, 2012

Lao PDR

1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006

Malaysia

1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018

Maldives

2013, 2014, 2015, 2018

Mongolia

1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2021, 2022

Myanmar

2002, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022

Nepal

1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2019

Pakistan2005, 2006, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022

Papua New Guinea

1998, 1999, 2005, 2006

Philippines

1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014,2016, 2017, 2018

Russia1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006

Singapore

1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006

Sri Lanka

1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016,2019

Tajikistan

1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2006

Thailand

1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016,2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

Türkiye

2019

Uzbekistan

1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2015

Viet Nam

1998, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2017, 2021, 2022

Yemen

2009, 2012, 2014

Latest Disaster Information (FY2022)

Information on the latest disaster is immediately posted on ADRC website (Figure 3.1). Every latest disaster
information contains: date of occurrence, location, impacts, and links to reports, articles, maps, relief efforts,and satellite images. ADRC is able to compile a comprehensive information of each disaster event due to its
wide range of reliable partners that provide the data. As of 28 February 2023, ADRC registered a total 2,595
disaster information items in the database.

26

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

Section 3

Figure 3.1 Latest Disaster Information on ADRC Website

The three most notable disasters in FY2022, as registered in the database, are:·Türkiye Earthquakes, 6 February 2023

Türkiye was hit by a series of debilitating earthquakes in February 2023. It caused the deaths of 50,090
people and over 3.3 million people were displaced. Most of apartments and houses across a vast territory of
110,000 km2 collapsed. Considering the disaster damages and losses, it was estimated that the total financial
burden amounting to 103.6 billion USD, which is equal to 9% of GDP forecast for 2023, is needed forrecovery (GLIDE number: EQ-2023-000015-TUR).
·

Tropical Storm Nalgae (Paeng) in the Philippines, 27 October 2022

Tropical storm Nalgae (locally named Paeng) made landfall on 29 October 2022 in Catanduanes, Philippines.
About 6 million people were affected, 164 dead, 28 missing, and 270 injured. Estimated damage toinfrastructure was about 107 million USD (PHP 6 billion). TS Nalgae totally damaged 6,634 houses andpartially damaged 61,788 other houses. (GLIDE number: TC-2022-000352-PHL)·

Floods in Pakistan, June–July 2022

Heavy rains impacted multiple areas for weeks since June 2022. Downpour wreaked havoc in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan, and parts of Sindh, where the local administration faced challenges indealing with the emergency. Prolonged flooding caused severe impacts, including the deaths of 1,678 people.
It also injured 12,864 and affected 33,046,329 in 84 districts. About 767,488 houses were fully destroyed
while 1,277,861 houses were partially destroyed (GLIDE number: FL-2022-000270-PAK).

27

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

3.1.3

Natural Disaster Databook

ADRC retrieves and analyzes natural disaster data from the Emergency
Events Database (EM-DAT) to better understand the occurrence,
deaths, people affected, and economic losses of disaster events. The
Natural Disaster Databook 2021 (Figure 3.2) contains analytical
overview of disaster data that are shown in graphs with textual
explanations. For instance, in analyzing climate-related disasters(particularly flood, storm, and drought), the data shows an increasing
Section 3

trend of occurrences of storm and flood since the last 30 years from1991. Not only that, the impacts of climate-related disasters are also

becoming more destructive, accounting for the highest number ofpeople affected as well as economic losses both in the last 30 years(1991–2020) and in 2021, signifying a continuing trend (Figure 3.3).

Figure 3.2 Cover of Natural Disaster
Databook 2021

Figure 3.3 Data showing that climate-related disaster affected more people and causing greater economic losses

In 2021 alone, extreme cold waves (e.g., France in April) and heat waves (e.g., Canada in July) wererecorded in many parts of the world. In Asia in 2021, aside from heat wave, India was severely impacted byfloods and cyclones, affecting more than 18 million people. Bangladesh and Nepal were hit by floods that
impacted millions of people. Floods affected 14 million people in China and over 1 million people in Indonesia.
Furthermore, drought has been affecting millions of people during the past 30 years, and it incurred economic
losses affecting more than 28 million people in Asia in 2021 alone.

28

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

3.2

Information Dissemination

ADRC disseminates DRR information using a range of channels, including: a) regular issuance of ADRC
Highlights, a monthly newsletter, b) dissemination via GLIDE, and c) dissemination through Sentinel Asia andspace-based platforms.
3.2.1

ADRC Highlights

Every month, the latest issue of the newsletter is uploaded on the
ADRC website. Its text version is emailed to all subscribers in
Section 3

three different languages immediately after publication. As of 28
February 2023, the total number of the newsletter subscribers is

3,831

with

2,668

subscribers

forEnglishlanguage,224

subscribers for Russian language, and 939 subscribers forJapanese language.

comprise the mailing list. In FY2022, thecontents of the newsletter included articles on the latest ADRC
activities (including the VR program), the Asian Conference on
Disaster Reduction 2022, reports on participation in international
conferences, and other events which ADRC staff members
attended or gave presentations.

Figure 3.4 Front page of ADRC Highlights
Vol. 36, April 2023

3.2.2

Data Sharing through GLIDE Number System

As of March 2023, over 7,700 GLIDE numbers have been issued. A GLIDE number (e.g.,EQ-2023-000015TUR) comprises the following components: disaster classification (24 types), year of occurrence, serial
number in one year, and country code. Once a disaster occurs, an operator issues a GLIDE number by
inputting disaster information such as location, time, disaster type, and initial damage and then uploaded on
the GLIDE website. The number is automatically sent to its over 2,000 subscribers. GLIDE is linked with otherdisaster data management tools, including those tools at Reliefweb, Sentinel Asia, UNOSAT, ADINet, and
ESCAP. Moreover, GLIDE’s governance and function has been updated. In terms of governance, a steeringcommittee was established in 2021 as well as the three subcommittees: API, SOP, and New ProductDevelopment. In terms of functionality, two new manuals were drafted and crowdsourcing was introduced in
2022 to allow users to report “missing disasters in the GLIDE database.”

29

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

Section 3

Figure 3.5 Homepage of GLIDE website

3.2.3

Data Sharing through Sentinel Asia

In FY2022, Sentinel Asia received 28 requests from the Joint Project Team (JPT) members and all 28
requests were activated (Figure 3.6). On behalf of its member countries, ADRC forwards the emergency

observation request to seven space agencies under Sentinel Asia: ISRO (India), JAXA (Japan), MBRSC(United Arab Emirates), STI/VAST (Vietnam), GISTDA (Thailand), NARL (Taiwan), and CRISP (Singapore).
Through the emergency observation satellite imageries, Sentinel Asia supports disaster management activity
in the Asia-Pacific region by applying space-based technology (i.e., earth observation satellites data) and
WEB-GIS technology. As of January 2023, the JPT membership comprises 112 organizations from 28
countries.

30

INFORMATION SHARING ON DRR

Section 3

Figure 3.6 Data Provider Nodes and Emergency Observations Records, 2007–2022

31

4. Human Resource Development

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4.

Human Resource Development

ADRC enhances the DRM capacities of member countries through the visiting researchers (VR) program,seminars, workshops, training events, and other DRR related human resource development activities.

4.1

Visiting Researchers Program

As of March 2023, an accumulated total number of 126 officials from 27 countries have participated in the VR
program since it started in 1999. Under this program, VRs are invited to Japan to conduct their respective
DRR researches with the opportunity to participate in relevant events as well as visit organizations. It enables
VRs to compare and learn from different DRM systems.

4.1.1

Activities During the Program

also to further enhance cooperation between member countries and ADRC. In FY2022, seven visiting
researchers (including those from the FY2021 who could not come to Japan due to COVID-19 pandemic)
were invited to participate in the on-site training in Japan. During their stay, the VRs learn about innovativeand practical DRR efforts and technologies and gain knowledge about cooperation and collaboration withnational governments, international organizations, and DRR agencies.
4.1.2

Research Topics

On 29 March 2023, all 7 VRs presented the outcomes of their research activities. Overall, the final reports
reflected the accumulation of DRR knowledge, the characteristics of latest disasters and disastermanagement policies/laws/plans/budget, and the measures to strengthen resilience. The titles of theirrespective researches are as follow:·

Seismic monitoring, seismic hazard, risk
assessment, and earthquake early warning
system implementation as part of seismic
risk reduction (Armenia)·

Preparedness for Disaster Response inJapan (India)·

A study on the issues to be considered in
improving the requirements for evacuation

shelter during disaster (Mongolia)

Figure 4.1 Visiting Researchers during one of their site visits in Japan·

Study on Community Based Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Activities in Japan (Myanmar)·

Tsunami response plan for the coastal areas of Pakistan and livelihood improvement along with otherscalable DRR interventions for the coastal areas (Pakistan)·

Developing a National Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (Thailand)·

Community-based disaster risk management in Japan: A lesson learned (Vietnam)

In conducting their research activities, ADRC assigned a mentor to each VR to guide and assist in the entire
process.

35

Section 4

The VR program is aimed not only to strengthen the disaster response capabilities of member countries but

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4.1.3

Networking of Visiting Researchers

ADRC taps the network of former VRs to cooperate in various
ongoing

projects,

particularly for

effectiveandefficient

implementation. Additionally, VRs are tapped to design new
projects that meet the local conditions. Furthermore, former
VRs are contacted whenever ADRC intends to suggest policy
updates or extends support to their respective home countries
based on the request or information they provided. New VRs
areencouraged

tocontact

formerVRs

toestablish

communication, share experiences, and insights. Every year,
some former VRs participate in the ACDR, where they make
Section 4

presentations.
During the ACDR2022, 10–12 March 2023, two former VRs
participated: 1) Mr Baasansuren DEMBERELYNAM from
Mongolia reported on the government’s recent efforts forstrengthening

thedisasterstatistics

tohastentheimplementation of the SFDRR in Mongolia; and 2) Ms
Syuzanna Kakoyan from Armenia also actively participated in
the conference.

Figure 4.2 Accumulated total number of
VRs as of March 2023

Figure 4.3 Former VR from Mongolia (left) and Armenia (right) during the ACDR2022

36

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4.2

JICA Knowledge Co-creation Program

Under the Knowledge Co-Creation Program, JICA commissioned ADRC to conduct comprehensive training
courses on DRR, which are designed based on themes of interests in each region/country. In FY2022, a totalof six training courses were implemented: 1) Comprehensive DRR for Central and South America, 2)Comprehensive DRR for African Region, 3) Comprehensive DRR for Central Asia and Caucasus, 4)Promotion of Mainstreaming DRR, 5) Comprehensive DRR Course, and 6) Strengthening DRR Capacity for
Malaysia.
4.2.1

Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction for Central and South America
24 May – 8 Jul 2022 (online)

Number of Participants:

18 (from 10 countries)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR strategy

This course was attended by 18 participants from 10 countries: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. During the seven-week program,the participants attended lectures on disaster countermeasures and exercises around local DRR plans, anddrafted plans for their target municipalities. They actively engaged in developing DRR measures to reduce
humanitarian and economic losses from disasters.

Figure 4.4 Mr ARAKIDA Masaru of ADRC giving lecture on the 8 Steps in Formulating Local DRR Strategy

37

Section 4

Duration:

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

4.2.2

Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction for African Region

Duration:

22 Aug – 29 Sep 2022 (online)

Number of Participants:

7 (from four countries)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR plan

The JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program entitled, "Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction for the African
Region" was conducted online from 22 August to 29 September 2022, with the cooperation of JICA Kansai. It
was attended by seven government officials from four countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi,
Senegal, and Cabo Verde. This course focused on flood and sediment disasters. Participants studied disastercountermeasures for their target cities by attending lectures on each disaster and participating in exercises toformulate a draft local DRR plan. They all worked so hard during this course, not only acquiring knowledge
Section 4

and skills but also developing their relationships with one another. Some organizations and universities inJapan contributed to the success of this course.

Figure 4.5 Screenshot of Online Training for the African Region

4.2.3

Comprehensive DRR for Central Asia and the Caucasus

Duration:

10 Nov – 9 Dec 2022 (in-person)

Number of Participants:

7 (from four countries)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR plan

The training course, “Comprehensive Disaster Management for Central Asia and Caucasus” was conductedfrom 10 November to 9 December 2022. This program was designed for disaster management administratorsin the Central Asia and Caucasus region with the aim of strengthening the capacity of government agencies
primarily responsible for disaster management so as to mitigate human impacts and economic damages
caused by natural disasters. With a particular focus on the formulation of priority DRR measures, the program
aimed to deepen understanding of the importance of such measures, to promote strategic DRR investmentsin each country, and to promote the implementation of DRR measures that reduce residual risks. The

38

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

program also aimed to help participantslearn how to draft and implement local
DRR plans. Due to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the training program was
temporarilysuspended

andsubsequently conducted online, but inperson training resumed in 2022 for the
first time in three years. A total of sevenparticipants from Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan took

part in the five-week program. The
training consisted of in-person and online

Figure 4.6 Trainees from Central Asia and Caucasus visited DRR facilities

designing local DRR plans. Each participant enthusiastically participated in the lectures and exercises, andpresented a draft local DRR plan on the final day to successfully complete the course. The knowledge, skills,
and methodologies acquired through this training will be applied to disaster risk management in theparticipants’ home countries.
4.2.4

Promotion of Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction

Duration:

12 – 24 Dec 2022 (in-person)

Number of Participants:

5 (from three countries)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR plan

Figure 4.7 Participants from Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Mexico during the training in Japan

ADRC conducted the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program entitled, "Promotion of Mainstreaming Disaster
Risk Reduction" from 12–24 December 2022 in cooperation with JICA Kansai. It was attended by five
management-level DRR agency officials from three countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Mexico. This
program was aimed at achieving the following: sharing the concept of mainstreaming DRR, incorporating
DRR in development policies, and promoting the methods of mainstreaming DRR at the policy level. It wasalso aimed at sharing various experiences from Japan and examine the strategies and approaches for

39

Section 4

lectures, visits to DRR facilities, mainly in Hyogo Prefecture but also in the Tokyo area, and a workshop on

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

promoting the mainstreaming of DRR in participants' home countries. During the two-week program,participants attended lectures, site visits, and discussions on disaster countermeasures. Participants actively
engaged in DRR measures to reduce humanitarian and economic losses due to disasters.
4.2.5

Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Course

Duration:

28 Dec 2022 – 22 Feb 2023 (in-person)

Number of Participants:

8 (from six countries)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR plan

The training entitled, "Comprehensive Disaster
Risk Reduction" was conducted from 28

December 2022 to 22 February 2023 in
Section 4

cooperation

with

JICA

Kansai.

It

wasconducted in a hybrid format, with both online
and in-person programs in Japan. It was
attended by eight government officials from six
countries:

Bangladesh,

Brazil,Indonesia,

Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This course
was aimed at helping participants learn how toformulate and implement local DRR plans topromote disaster reduction measures in each

Figure 4.8 Trainees visited flood control facilities along Shirakawa River,
Kumamoto

country. Participants studied disaster countermeasures for their target cities by attending lectures, site visits,
and participating in exercises on formulating a draft local DRR plan. They all participated enthusiastically inthe programs, engaging in discussions with other participants and deepening their understanding of thesubject matter.
4.2.6

Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction Capacity for Malaysia

Duration:

6 – 10 Mar 2023 (in-person)

Number of Participants:

15 (from Malaysia)

Contents:

DRR in Japan, 8 Steps in formulating local DRR plan

ADRC conducted the JICA Knowledge CoCreation Program, "LEP2.0 Enhancement of

the Disaster Risk Management Capacity of the
National Disaster Management Agency", on 6–
10 March 2023. The course was aimed at
improving the technology and coordination
capacity of the Malaysian National Disaster
Management Agency (NADMA) to realize adisaster-resilient society in the country. A totalof 15 officials from related organizations,mainly from NADMA, participated in this first

Figure 4.9 Participants from Malaysia during lectures at JICA Kansai

training. After the orientation on the first day of the training, participants made presentations for their40

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

organization, and it was followed by discussions to confirm the training objectives and points at each site.
From the second day onwards, the participants visited several sites that showcase flood and sedimentdisaster countermeasures. On the final day of the training, synthesis of lessons learned were presented, as
well as the next steps.

4.3

Short-Term Programs

Short-term programs in FY2022 included internship, KOBE Global Challenge with Kobe University, and TryYaru.
4.3.1·

Internship at ADRC

Mr Kier Hamilton, 1 July – 31 Aug 2022

ADRC accepted Mr Kier Hamilton for online internship at the Research
Section 4

Department from 1st July to 31st August 2022. He spent 100 hours
performing substantive analysis of disaster data from EM-DAT and otherrelated sources for the Natural Disaster Databook, an annual publication of
ADRC. Mr Hamilton is a Masters student in Disaster Risk Management andClimate Change Adaptation at Lund University, Sweden. His analysis of thenatural disaster data showed that hazards have increased in frequency andseverity, and Asia is the worst affected continent. The most common
disaster events were floods and storms, with both becoming more common
as climatic changes take place. He said that working with the ADRC team isa memorable experience that allowed him to expand his knowledge andFigure 4.10 Mr Keir Hamilton(Intern)

improve his understanding of the disaster landscape.
·

Mr Jhumar Sioson, 21 October – 2 November 2022

Mr Jhumar Sioson, a master's degree student in the field of Environmental
Studies at Nagoya University, served as an intern at ADRC as part of the
Global Research Internship (GRI) of Nagoya University. GRI provides
research-based internship opportunities to students to help them acquire
practical research know-how through on-site research training. During his
in-person internship, Mr Sioson assisted in organizing the workshop, 7th
BOSAI KOKUTAI, engaged in DRR Town-Watching in Nada, Kobe, andvisited the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster monuments in Hyogo
Prefecture. He said that his time as an ADRC intern gave him an
opportunity to increase his knowledge about disaster risk reduction, andFigure 4.11 Mr Jhumar Sioson(Intern)when returning to the Philippines, he will strive to professionally contribute to disaster resiliency.
4.3.2

KOBE Global Challenge

In partnership with Kobe University's KOBE Global Challenge Program (KGCP), ADRC conducted a training
program for 13 KGCP students on Tuesday, 26 July 2022. The KGCP is a program that aims to motivate
participating students to learn and recognize the necessity of issue-identification and problem-solving skills,
which are essential for people working in global arenas, by building on their own experiences in multiculturalenvironments. By attending lectures and participating in practical exercises on disaster management in Asia,

41

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

the students and ADRC researchers had many opportunities to actively exchange ideas and opinions. Mr
SASAHARA Akio, Executive Director of ADRC encouraged them to take advantage of this program tobecome global leaders in their fields.

Section 4

Figure 4.12 Kobe University students at ADRC during the KOBE Global Challenge Program

4.3.3

Try-Yaru

ADRC accepted two seventh-grade students from Kobe Municipal Harada Junior High School as a part of the"Try-Yaru Week" in November 2022, which is a work experience program for junior high school students.
During this period, the students learned about the concept of disaster risk reduction through simple activities(e.g., constructing model of earthquake-resistant building out of milk cartons). The students also took part inan online “Town Watching” of the Aotani district of Nada Ward, Kobe City. “Town-Watching” is a planningapproach, where community members and stakeholder look around their local areas to observe and gather
information to address disaster risks. They also visited the Hyogo Prefectural Wide-Area Disaster Prevention
Center.

Figure 4.13 Seventh-grade students at their Try-Yaru program at ADRC

42

5. Cooperation and Partnerships

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

5.

Cooperation and Partnerships

ADRC forges cooperation and partnerships among member countries and partner organizations to advancedisaster resilience. In particular, ADRC engages in research cooperation (e.g., feasibility study on applicationof new technology) and partnerships with international institutions in organizing learning events.

5.1

Research Cooperation

In FY2022, much progress was made in the research projects pertaining to QZSS, Climate Change Impact
Projection Study (SENTAN4), and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
5.1.1

QZSS DC Report Demonstrations

ADRC is member of Japan Project Team that promotes the Satellite Report for Disaster and Crisis
Management (DC Report), which is an early warning service (EWS) of the QZSS. With this service, DRM
agencies can transmit warning message via satellites. When the message is received on the earth’s surface it
can be sent over to mobile phones, street lights, car navigation systems, and other terminals allowing
emergency evacuation or self-help during disasters. In FY2021, the project team showed notable progress informat, the team reported the availability of free software from the QGIS (i.e., QGIS plugin). This allows
staffers of disaster management offices (DMOs) to easily create the warning message. In terms of
performance of the QZSS device, it was found that it worked very well in receiving the message from satellite,
even if it is outside the cellular network area. Considering these achievements, the project will continue thefeasibility studies and demonstrations before the actual operations of the DC Report service in target

countries beginning 2024.

Figure 5.1 Outline of the Concept of QZSS DC Report

5.1.2

Climate Change Impact Projection Study

ADRC, together with over 120 researchers and 43 cooperating organizations, is engaged in the SENTAN 4
Project, “Development of Hazard Integrated Prediction Model” (i.e., multi-hazard model for storm and flood,
http://www.climate.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/sentan4/?p=224). Under this project, the researchers aim to assess the45

Section 5

promoting the QZSS DC Report service. In terms of creating and sending warning message using the MT44

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

future impacts of climate change, particularly, to water-related disasters (e.g., storm and flood), by analyzing
historical and current data as well as through climate downscaling techniques and applications. Additionally,social trends and technological innovation information are also analyzed to update policy. ADRC shares the
products/outcomes of the study to improve climate change literacy among DRR practitioners, researchers,
and engineers as well as inform policy updates.

Section 5

https://www.mlit.go.jp/river/kokusai/pdf/pdf21.pdf
Figure 5.2 Example of using the outcomes of the climate change impact project study to inform policy

5.1.3

ERIA Research Project

Under the ERIA, ADRC works on two research projects: 1) Disaster Mitigation Policies and Methods for
Sustainable Economic Development; and 2) Verification of Economic Rationality of Disaster Risk Reduction
Investment. During the “Workshop for Climate Change Vulnerabilities, Social Impacts, and Education forAutonomous Adaptation” that was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 12–14 September 2022, ADRC
presented examples of countermeasures against floods and landslides in Japan.

5.2International Engagements and Partnerships

In FY2022, ADRC co-organized and/or engaged in many events, including those with APEC-EPWG, Sentinel
Asia, UNDRR, ESCAP/WMO, ASEAN, and other networks and partnerships.
5.2.1

APEC-EPWGADRC continues to serve as co-chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation - Emergency Preparedness
Working Group (APEC-EPWG), and in FY2022, organized and participated in the following activities:·

18th APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) Meeting, 18 August 2022

Mr SUZUKI Koji, who serves as current co-chair of the APEC-EPWG, participated in-person in Chiangmai,
Thailand while Mr SASAHARA Akio, Dr SHIOMI Yumi, and Dr Gerald Potutan participated online. The
government of Thailand hosted the meeting with the theme, “Promoting Disaster Risk Reduction andStrengthening Partnership Toward Resilient Recovery After COVID-19.” ADRC gave two presentations. The
first presentation showed the application of the GLIDE numbering system and the utilization of satellite
images in documenting recent disasters (2021–2022) in Asia and the Pacific region. The second presentation
showed the potential contribution of Japan’s early warning service (EWS) using the QZSS to support

46

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

evacuation and response activities. As indicated in both presentations, ADRC has been implementing DRR
projects in the Asia-Pacific region and would like to further leverage greater partnerships in the EPWG tostrengthen regional efforts.

Section 5

Figure 5.3 Screenshot of the 18th EPWG Meeting·

15th Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum (SDMOF15), 19 August 2022

During this meeting, ADRC expressed support for updating the 2015 APEC Disaster Risk Reduction

Framework and its corresponding DRR Action Plan to make these documents more responsive to postpandemic recovery efforts in the region as well as to align them with the Putrajaya Vision 2040 and its
corresponding Aotearoa Plan of Action. The Framework, and its corresponding DRR Action Plan, recognizes
that addressing the impacts of disasters requires holistic, more proactive, multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral,
and strategic interventions to make our economies more resilient. After seven years of implementation, theeconomies of Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, and Chile expressed the need to review and update thedocuments.

Figure 5.4 Screenshot of the 15th SDMOF Meeting47

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Workshop on Strengthening Fire Prevention Capacities in Wildland Urban Interface, 28 Nov–1 Dec 2022
(Online)In this workshop, Dr Gerald Potutan gave a presentation that highlighted the contribution of climate change
impact projection to inform plans, strategies, or policies on climate change adaptation. While climate change
does not directly cause a wildfire, it greatly contributes in creating the conditions for wildfire to easily sparkand spread with extremely devastating impacts. One of the projected climate change scenarios is that if
human activities continue emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon and methane, the global
temperature becomes much warmer. This creates the condition for “tinderbox effect”, where summer
becomes hotter and drier – a situation wherein wildfire can easily start and quickly spread. After theworkshop, participants from 21 APEC member economies and government officials from Chile gained insights
on applying climate change impact projection to inform the mitigation and adaption strategies for fire
prevention in wildland-urban interface.

Section 5

Figure 5.5 Dr Potutan served as speaker at the workshop

5.2.2

APRSAF/Sentinel Asia

Under the framework of the Sentinel Asia – an initiative led by the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum(APRSAF) to support disaster management with WEB-GIS technology and earth observation satellite data –ADRC functions as the focal point to receive emergency observation requests as well as participate in related
activities.
·

28th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-28), 15–18 November 2022
(Hanoi, Vietnam)

In the APRSAF-28, which was held from 15–18 November 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam, ADRC participated in theworking session of the Space Applications Working Group (SAWG) and gave the first presentation on

48

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Sentinel Asia emergency observation requests (EOR)
and future action plans. The Sentinel Asia initiative
involves the use of space-based information in the formof satellite images for disaster management. ADRC has
been tasked with the responsibility of receiving
emergency observation requests from ADRC member
countries and Joint Project Team (JPT) members.
ADRC gave the second presentation on the activities
for "Demonstration Experiment using MICHIBIKI (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System: QZSS)." This activity, whichmainly targets the Asia-Pacific region, aims to develop
early warnings to encourage residents to take prompt

Figure 5.6 Dr Ikeda delivered a presentation at APRSAF-28

evacuation actions. ADRC will continue to actively
participate in activities related to the utilization of space technology in the field of disaster prevention.
5.2.3

Section 5·

UNDRR/APP-DRR

7th Session of the Global Platform for DRR, 23–28 May 2022 (Bali, Indonesia)

ADRC participated in the following
events during the Global Platform:(1) Multi-Hazard Early Warning
Conference, 23–24 May, where welearned new developments relatingto

impact-based

forecast-based

forecasting,financing,

earlywarning/early action, anticipatory
action, and the effectiveness of
early

warning;

(2)

World

Reconstruction Conference, 23–24

Figure 5.7 7th Session of the Global Platform in Bali, Indonesia

May, which showed pathways to agreener and more resilient future as well as recovery models for a post-COVID-19 world; and 3) Midterm
Reviews of the Sendai Framework Plenaries, 26–27 May, which offered insights on progress made in thefields of financing and governance multi-hazards and the systemic nature of risk, and the operating

environment. ADRC also participated in separate meetings with officials from the Asian Development Bank
(ADB), ASEAN Secretariat, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of Thailand, and the Office ofCivil Defense of the Philippines, as well as with officials from Fiji and Cambodia. Moreover, ADRC delivered astatement expressing ADRC’s commitment to improving regional partnerships to address transboundary risks
in the Asia Pacific region. You can read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3tHvFuQ

49

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR), 19–22 September 2022
(Brisbane, Australia)

In this conference, ADRC organized apartner event entitled, “Building Resilient
Communities by Investing in DRR Literacy
for Proactive Actions focusing on Leave No
One Behind” moderated by Ms KODAMA
Miki. The discussions in this event affirmed
that: 1) building a culture of DRR and
having various people actively participate in
DRR activities are effective for increasing
DRR literacy; 2) targeting the younger
generation in particular will lead to thedevelopmentofleaders

in

the

next

generation; and 3) it is important toFigure 5.8 ADRC Partner Event at the APMCDRR in Brisbane, Australia

Section 5

sustainably link daily life, welfare, and social
protection during normal times with DRR during emergencies, especially at the local level. It also recognizedthat institutional and financial support for community disaster management activities is needed to ensure thesustainability of these activities. ADRC displayed two posters: “Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for
Early Warning Message Platform” and “Applying Space-Based Technology and ICT to Strengthen Disaster
Resilience.” Other key sessions that ADRC engaged in included: 1) Risk-Informed Investments and Scaling
Up Financing for Disaster Risk Reduction; 2) Governance and Stakeholder Engagement for Resilient
Infrastructure Services; and 3) Human Capacity Building that Supports Community Disaster Management by
the City of Sendai. Executive Director SASAHARA Akio also issued an official statement introducing ADRC's
efforts for enhancing disaster resilience in the Asia Pacific region.
5.2.4

ESCAP/WMO: Typhoon Committee

Under the auspices of the Cabinet Office Government of Japan, ADRC has been engaged in the activities of
the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. ADRC participated in most of its activities in FY2022.
·

Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Typhoon Committee, 21 October 2022 (online)

In this annual Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (WGDRR) meeting, three key items werediscussed: the progress of implementing the projects for 2022, proposed projects for 2023, and participationin the Integrated Workshops (IWS). As reported, all seven projects for 2022 were implemented, including the“Knowledge Sharing in DRR” that was held in Guam in the summer. For 2023, WGDRR proposed 7 projects:
1) Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing in DRR; 2) Setting-up Early Warning and Alert System; 3)
WGDRR Annual Meeting; 4) Benefit Evaluation of Typhoon DRR; 5) Sharing Information on DRR; 6)
Education Video on DRR; and 7) Seminar for Crowd-Sourcing. At the 17th Integrated Workshops of the
Typhoon Committee, WGDRR reported the progress of the projects.

50

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

Section 5

Figure 5.9 Screenshot of the 17th WGDRR Meeting

17th Integrated Workshops (IWS) of the Typhoon Committee, 29–30 November 2022 (online)

With the theme, “Tropical cyclone planning, forecasting, and response services for early warning and early
action”, the Typhoon Committee Secretariat (TCS) organized the 17th IWS online, on 29–30 November 2022.

ADRC participated in this event along with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
of Japan. One of the keynote presentations was from MLIT, dwelling on, “Use of Satellite Data for Flood
Simulation and Risk Evaluation”. The value of satellite data is that it informs the mitigation measures andfacilitates early action for flood prevention.

Figure 5.10 Screenshot of the 17th Integrated Workshops (IWS)51

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS·

55th Session of Typhoon Committee, 7–9 March 2023 (online)

As observer, ADRC participated in the 55th Session of the Typhoon Committee (TC-55) which was held
online on 7–9 March 2023. The Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG) of Macao, China hosted thisevent to: 1) Review the progress of the Typhoon Committee’s programs for 2022; and 2) Plan for activities tobe undertaken in 2023 and beyond. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) presented a summary of 2022
typhoon season in Asia and Pacific regions in this session.

Section 5

Figure 5.11 Screenshot of the 55th Session of the Typhoon Committee

5.2.5

Spatial Planning Platform

ADRC engages with the Spatial Planning Platform (SPP) through co-organizing and participating in the SPP
events. SPP is an initiative from HABITAT III that highlights the importance of spatial planning (e.g., urban,
rural, and regional planning). In FY2022, ADRC participated online in the 5th SPP.
·

5th Spatial Planning Platform (5th SPP), 2–3 February 2023 (Kathmandu, Nepal)

Addressing the challenges in spatial planning
due to increasing natural disasters andclimate change was the overarching theme of
the 5th Spatial Planning Platform (SPP)
meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 2–3
February 2023, which ADRC participatedonline. The 5th SPP tackled how to formulate
and implement spatial plans that ensure
prudent use of land and natural resources
showcasing

examples

from

Asia.

For

instance, in the Philippines, the government
adopted an overall framework for spatial

52

Figure 5.12 Study presentation at the 5th SPP meeting

COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

planning that contributes to: 1) inclusive growth through improved connectivity and better access to economic
opportunities and social services across regions; 2) decongestion of the national capital region and directing
growth to key centers in the country; 3) incorporation of vulnerability reduction strategies to mitigate or reduce
impacts of disasters; and 4) alignment of sectoral plans, regional and local development plans, and local
governments’ land use plans with the national framework to ensure their coherence. Details of the meetingcan be accessed online: https://www.spp-pr.com/conferences/5thMeeting/
5.2.6·

Other International Engagements

World Bosai Forum 2023: JICA Session, 10 March 2023 (Sendai, Japan)

ADRC cooperated with JICA in organizing the session “Achievements and Challenges towards the Mid-Term

Review of the Implementation of the SFDRR 2015–2030” on 10 March 2023. ADRC member countries took
part in a session to discuss how to increase pre-disaster investment to reduce disaster risks and achieve the
SFDRR. Officials from respective DRR agencies of Mongolia, Pakistan, and Vietnam shared information on
the following: 1) Achievements in Priority 3 of the SFDRR (Pre-disaster Investment), 2) Challenges to achieve
the SFDRR, and 3) Future plans to accelerate the implementation of SFDRR as well as promote pre-disaster
reported on the progress of SFDRR on proactive disaster management investment in their countries.
·

The Regional Forum: Meeting of the Heads of National Disaster Management Authorities of Central AsianCountries, 4–6 October 2022 (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)

ADRC participated in the regional Forumco-organized

by

the

CentreforEmergency Situations and Disaster Risk
Reduction (CESDRR) and the CommitteeofEmergency

Situations

and

Civil

Defence (CoES) of Tajikistan. In thisforum, ADRC introduced current activities
that contribute to capacity building inCentral Asian countries, such as thevisiting researcher program, the Sentinel
Asia

project,

preparations

the
for

a

GLIDE,

andthefutureACDR

Figure 5.13 Group Photo of the Regional Forum in Dushanbe, TajikistaninTajikistan. The Regional Forum was attended by more than 70 people including heads of emergency
authorities in the Central Asian countries and UN officials, donors, and representatives of international andlocal NGOs.
·

Visit of the Survey Team from Uzbekistan, 21–28 October 2022 (Japan)

ADRC supported the delegation from Uzbekistan, an ADRC member country, by offering advice on thedevelopment of their agenda and accompanying the delegation to various sites. Mirzaev Sirojiddin Zaynievich,
Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, led the delegation in visiting various Japaneseinstitutions, including Nagoya University and the University of Tokyo as well as government agencies such as
the Disaster Management Bureau of the Cabinet Office, the Geographical Survey Institute, the Building

53

Section 5

investment. Disaster management officials from, participants in ACDR2022, were one of speakers andCOOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Research

Institute,

and

the

National

Research

InstituteofScienceandTechnology for Disaster Prevention. The
delegation was briefed on Japan's legal
systemanddisasterprevention

technologies and had opportunities to see
actual observation devices and to visit
facilities conducting relevant experiments.

Figure 5.14 Survery Team from Uzbekistan furing their visit in Japan·

4th Meeting of the ACDM Working Group on Global Leadership, 7 September 2022

ADRC participated in the Fourth Meeting of the ACDM Working Group on Global Leadership to exchange
views and explore future plans to contribute to the “Priority Programme 5: Global Leadership” of the AADMER
Section 5

Work Programme 2021–2025. In this meeting, ADRC proposed to conduct activities that will contribute to the
ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Disaster Management.

54

6. International Recovery Platform

INTERNATIONAL RECOVERY PLATFORM

6.

International Recovery Platform

ADRC is among the founding members of the International Recovery Platform (IRP), and continues tosupport IRP’s work, including co-hosting the IRP Secretariat, with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction and the Hyogo Prefectural Government.

6.1

International Recovery Forum 2023

IRP held the annual International Recovery Forum on 27 January 2023 in a hybrid format on the theme,“Building Back Better and Long-Term Recovery Outcomes: Aspirations for a Resilient, Sustainable Future”.
The 2023 IRP Forum welcomed 443 participants hailing from more than 70 countries, both onsite at the Kobe
International Conference Center and online.
At the midpoint of the implementation of the Sendai Framework, countries continue to experience significant
challenges with building back better, in practice, and achieving improved recovery outcomes. Disasterrecovery has been the least researched area in disaster risk reduction, with few long-term longitudinalstudies. The factors that drive recovery outcomes in the medium to long-term are not as well-understood as
those which drive short term results from recovery projects and programs Yet, those are the decisive factorsthat determine whether communities are able to build back more resilient, equitable, and prosperous
societies in the decades and generations following a disaster. Recovery is a long, complex, and expensive
process involving many stakeholders that can take decades, and long-term considerations can be neglected.
Section 6

The International Recovery Forum 2023 featured 17 speakers representing 10 countries. Speakers in the
opening session included Mr Ronald JACKSON, Chair of the IRP Steering Committee (UNDP), Mr SAITO

Motohiko,

GovernorPrefecture,Mr

Deputyof

Hyogo

UEMURA

Noboru,Director

Management,for

DisasterCabinetOffice,Government of Japan, and Ms Mami
MIZUTORI, Special Representative of
the United Nations Secretary-General(SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction,and Head of the United Nations Officefor Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
The keynote session included two

Figure 6.1 Prof TAKEMURA Masayuki of Nagoya University

keynote speakers, Mr TAKEMURA
Masayuki, Professor in the Disaster Mitigation Research Center, Nagoya University, and Mr Emil K. SADAIN,
Senior Undersecretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, Government of the Philippines.
The first panel session, “Learning from Experience: Long-Run Recovery from Large-Scale Disasters” featured
recovery experiences from countries impacted by large-scale disasters over the longer-term. The discussions
addressed evidence on effective long term-recovery focusing on challenges, barriers, and gaps as well as
enablers and lessons learned from their successes and failures, and how these can inform recovery
programs moving forward. Speakers included: Ms Laurie JOHNSON, Principal at Laurie Johnson Consulting
and Research and Visiting Scientist at University of California, Berkeley; Ms Lianne DALZIEL, Former Mayor

57

INTERNATIONAL RECOVERY PLATFORM

of Christchurch, New Zealand; Mr Nadeem AHMED, Former Deputy Chairman of the Earthquake
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and Former Chairman of the National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) of the Government of Pakistan; and Mr Emil K SADAIN, Senior
Undersecretary, Department of Public Works and Highways, Government of the Philippines. The panel was
moderated by Mr Ronald JACKSON, Chair of the IRP Steering Committee, and featured Ms Riyanti
DJALANTE, Assistant Director and Head of the Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Divisionof the ASEAN Secretariat, as a discussant in the panel discussion.

Section 6

Figure 6.2 Panel Discussion 1 of the International Recovery Forum 2023

The second panel session, “Good Practices and Innovations to Ensure Better Long-term Recovery
Outcomes” presented several domains of recovery practice, through the perspective of planning for longer
term recovery, resilience, and sustainability goals and an analysis of how stakeholders recover. The
discussion examined what works for enabling long-term recovery, including financing better recovery
outcomes, inclusion and leaving no one behind, institutional considerations and policies, climate change, andother evolving and emerging risks. Panel 2 speakers included Mr Ryan VIADO, Acting Chief, Post-Disaster
Evaluation Management Division, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Government of the Philippines; Mr Kunal
SATYARTHI, Joint Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India; H.E.
Mr Diego Alejandro DALTON Rosales, Ambassador of El Salvador to Japan; Mr Luis Alonso AMAYA,
General Director, General Directorate of Civil Protection, Government of El Salvador; and Ms Farah KABIR,Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh. The panel was moderated by Mr Abhilash PANDA, Officer-in-

Charge, Intergovernmental Processes, Interagency Cooperation and Partnerships Branch, UNDRR. Ms
Laurie JOHNSON from Panel 1 served as a discussant in the panel discussion.
Finally, the speakers at the closing session were Mr Abhilash PANDA and Mr MURAKAMI Takeo, Director of
the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan and Co-Chair of the IRP Steering Committee.
6.2

The Fifth Edition of the World Reconstruction Conference (WRC5)

The fifth edition of the World Reconstruction Conference (WRC5) was organized in a hybrid modality, in Bali,
Indonesia on May 23–24 2022, during the preparatory days of the 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk
Reduction. The WRC5 was co-organized by UNDP, GFDRR/World Bank, and UNDRR, which was the firsttime under the umbrella of their partnership in the International Recovery Platform. Held under the conference58

INTERNATIONAL RECOVERY PLATFORM

theme, “Reconstructing for a sustainable future: Building resilience through recovery in a COVID-19
Transformed World”, the WRC5 convened 1,600 onsite participants, with more than 3,000 registered online
participants in the hybrid event. The WRC5 focused on addressing the unprecedented socio-economic
recovery needs as a pathway to rebuild a resilient and sustainable society in the post COVID-19 world. The
conference was organized with three sub-themes: 1) Social, infrastructural and economic recovery fromdisasters as an opportunity to reset the development pathway towards a greener and resilient future; 2)Addressing the social and economic effects and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on “hard-won”
development gains; and 3) Rethinking recovery governance models: Planning, Financing and Managing
recovery from complex and interconnected disaster-conflict events in the post COVID-19 world.

Section 6

Figure 6.3 IRP SC Chair and members at the 5th World Reconstruction Conference (WRC5) in Bali, Indonesia

The IRP Secretariat supported the overall organization and implementation of the conference, including 15
sessions co-organized with the IRP Steering Committee members and WRC5 co-organizers. The IRP
Secretariat hosted two technical sessions, “Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning”, and “Responding to Recovery
Challenges in the Urban Environment”. The IRP Secretariat hosts the on-demand videos of the World
Reconstruction Conference on the IRP’s YouTube channel. The IRP Secretariat also contributed to the
production of the final outcome documents, the Joint Communique on Reconstructing for a Resilient Future,and the Fifth World Reconstruction Conference Knowledge Report. Both of the outcome documents areavailable on the IRP website.

59

INTERNATIONAL RECOVERY PLATFORM

6.3

Contributions to the Mid-Term Review of the Sendai Framework

The International Recovery Platform organized a series of activities that contribute to the Midterm Review
process of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. IRP had organized the IRP Forum 2022 tofocus on the key recovery-related questions of the Midterm Review, and to feature national government
presentations on their accomplishments and challenges with building back better in post-disaster recovery.
IRP later developed a knowledge report for the conference as contributions to the Midterm Review. IRP
additionally convened its Steering Committee members for a video project to address the key questions of theMidterm Review for the build back better component of Priority 4 from the perspectives of many of the key
agencies working at the international and national levels on supporting disaster recovery. Finally, IRP
conducted a systematic desk review of the disaster recovery literature. It reviewed both peer-reviewed
literature and gray literature from Preventionweb and Scopus, covering nearly 1200 publications that had
been published since the adoption of the Sendai Framework. The systematic desk review integrated theresults of the video project, and the IRP Forum knowledge report, and was accepted as IRP’s official
contribution to the Midterm Review process. The report of the Main Findings and Recommendations of theMidterm Review of the Sendai Framework was published in January 2023, and the full report was publishedshortly thereafter.

6.4

7th National Convention for the Promotion of Disaster Reduction

IRP participated in the 7th National Convention for the Promotion of Disaster Reduction (BOSAI KOKUTAI
Section 62022). The Bosai Kokutai 2022 was held in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and was organized by the Executive
Committee for the National Conference on Disaster Prevention 2022, and led by the Cabinet Office of Japanin cooperation with Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, and Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Human andDisaster Prevention Future Center. This event has been held since 2016 and is now in its seventh year. The
purpose of this event is to raise awareness of disaster prevention among the people, particularly at theindividual and community levels, and to share knowledge and experiences about disasters in order toenhance disaster preparedness. IRP held an exhibition booth at the conference to introduce its activities tothe international community to promote building back better through the introduction of its recovery guidancenotes, leaflets outlining its activities, the IRP Herald and knowledge products related to COVID-19, and its
contributions to the global agenda on disaster recovery through the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction, the 6th Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, and by coorganizing the World Reconstruction Conference 5.

60

7. Natural Disaster Databook 2022

NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

7.

Natural Disaster Databook 2022

ADRC publishes the Natural Disaster Databook annually to provide statistical and analytical perspectives ofdisaster data. For its 2022 issue, ADRC used the data from the Emergency Event Database (EM-DAT)
downloaded on 16 May 2023 to analyze the number of occurrences, deaths, people affected, and economic
losses from disaster events – focusing only on eight disaster types: drought, earthquake, extreme
temperature, flood, landslide, storm, wildfire, and volcanic activity (Annex 3: Notes on the Sources of Data).
The analysis compares the following:·

Comparison of natural disasters in 2022 with natural disasters in the last 30 years (1992–2021)·

Comparison of climate-related disasters in 2022 with climate-related disasters in the last 30 years (1992–
2021)

·

Comparison of the COVID-19 situations between global level and regional level (highlighting thesituations in ADRC member countries)

Here are some of the observations. First, although there was an increasing trend of disaster occurrence
globally, a decreasing trend of disaster occurrence was observed in Asian region in 2022. Likewise, thenumber of deaths, people affected, and the economic losses from natural disasters in Asia in 2022 were lower
compared to the annual averages for the past 30 years (1992–2021). Secondly, flood and storm remain to be
the frequently occurring disaster types globally and in the Asian region in 2022 and during the past 30 years.
Moreover, climate-related disasters, particularly from flood, storm, and drought, account for the highest
number of people affected and economic losses in 2022 and during the past 30 years. Thirdly, towards theend of 2022, both the number of confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 had declined drasticallylifting of COVID-19 restrictions and opening of borders in over 100 countries in the beginning of 2023.
In 2022, a total of 388 disasters occurred globally. This is higher compared to the annual average for the past
30 years (1992–2021), which is 340. Among the most devasting disasters in 2022 were floods in Pakistan(June to September), droughts in Africa (e.g., Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, China, Burkina Faso, Malawi,
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, and Mali), typhoons in the Philippines (e.g., Megi in April
and Nalgae in October), and hurricanes (e.g., Hurricane Ian in Cuba and Hurricane Fiona in Dominican
Republic). While flood was the most frequent disaster in 2022, extreme temperature caused the most deaths(16,416 deaths) accounting to more than half of all disaster-related deaths. However, during the last 30 years(1992 to 2021), earthquakes remained to cause the most deaths from at an average of 990 deaths per
disaster event compared to only 52 per disaster event in 2022. The damage caused by disasters in 2022
(USD 223.84 million) is higher than the annual average disaster damage for the past 30 years (annual
average of USD 121.46 million).
The situation in Asia is different, where there is a decreasing trend of disaster impacts in 2022 compared to
the last 30 years (1992–2021). Occurrence of disasters in 2022 is 137, lower compared to the annual averageof 141 for the past 30 years. The number of deaths is also lower in 2022 at 7,750 compared to 30,909 annual
average for the past 30 years. Disaster affected people in 2022 is 64.23 million, less than half of the average
number of affected persons per year for the past 30 years, which is 168.81 million. The same is true for the63

Section 7

following a huge surge around the globe and at ADRC member countries. This drastic decline resulted in the

NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

amount of disaster damage. It’s USD 48.75 million in 2022, relatively lower than the average annual damage
for the past 30 years, which is USD 52.88 million.
Climate-related disasters (e.g., drought, flood, and storm) have been increasing globally, particularly since the1940s. In 2022, a total of 308 climate-related disasters was recorded worldwide, higher than those from thelast 30 years (1992 to 2021) that showed an annual average of 16 droughts, 147 floods, and 100 storms.
Except for drought, the number of people affected by 2022 climate-related disasters was less compared tothe average number of people affected per year by the same type of disasters during the past 30 years.
Meanwhile, the number of people affected by drought is 80 percent more compared to the annual average ofthe past 30 years. In Asia, a total of 98 climate-related disaster events occurred in 2022, which were mostly
floods.
Regarding COVID-19 situation, the highest number of confirmed cases for 2022 was reported on 19
December with a total of 44.20 million confirmed cases reported on a single day. A notable increase wasobserved in China in December due to an Omicron subvariant with at least eight other Omicron subvariants
were identified. Among the ADRC member countries, China showed the greatest cumulative number ofconfirmed COVID-19 cases at 84.93 million by the end of 2022. This was followed by India with 44.68 million,
Japan with 29.11 million, and the Republic of Korea with 29.06 million. Several ADRC member countries
started to relax COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, allowing more lenient policies on movement domestically.
India, Republic of Korea, and Japan are among the countries that lifted their domestic restrictions.
Vaccination also became a priority in ADRC member countries following the relaxation of restrictions with allcountries reporting to have had at least two vaccines administered by 2022.

7.1

Natural Disaster Data

Using EM-DAT’s 2022 data, this section presents the trends of natural disaster analyzed in terms of
Section 7

occurrence, death tolls, people affected, and economic losses.
7.1.1

Global Disaster Data

As shown in Figure 7.1, there has been an increasing trend of disaster occurrence from 1900 to 2022. Froman average of 56 disasters per year in the 1960s (with its peak of 81 in 1966), the average disasteroccurrence in the most recent decade (2012–2022) has reached 363 events per year. Furthermore, 388
disasters occurred in 2022, more than thrice the average number of disaster events from 1990 to 2021 (119disaster events). During the entire period of 1900–2022, flood (39%) and storm (31%) were the most frequenttypes of disaster.

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.1 Trend of natural disaster occurrence 1900–2022(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)·

Occurrence (global)

Globally, a total of 388 disasters occurred in 2022. Flood (177 events, 46 percent), storm (105 events, 28
percent), and earthquake (31 events, 8 percent) were the three most frequent disasters (Figure 7.2). Several
incidences of drought, landslide, wildfire, and extreme temperature and one volcanic activity were also
recorded.
Section 7

Figure 7.2 Global disaster occurrence by disaster type 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Among the most devastating disasters in 2022 include the floods in Pakistan (June to September),Bangladesh (May to September), Guatemala (May), Nigeria (July), India (May), Chad (June), and South
Sudan (August). There were droughts in Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, China, Burkina Faso, Malawi,
Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Niger, and Mali. In the Philippines, typhoons Megi (local name:
Agaton) in April and Nalgae (local name: Paeng) in October made tremendous impacts. In September, Cuba
was impacted by hurricane Ian and the Dominican Republic was impacted by hurricane Fiona. Tropical Storm
Sitrang impacted Bangladesh in October while Indonesia was impacted by 5.6-magnitude earthquake in
November.
Overall, Southeast Asia was struck with the most disasters in 2022 (flood, storm, earthquake, volcanic
activity, and landslide) followed by South America (flood, landslide, earthquake, and wildfire), South Asia

(flood, storm, earthquake), East Africa (flood, storm, and drought), and Northern America (storm, flood, andwildfire).
The number of disasters in 2022 is higher by 14 percent compared to the annual average for the past 30
years (1992–2021), which is 340. However, it was noted that the number of extreme temperature events wasless in 2022. Most of the extreme temperature events in 2022 were due to extreme heat. Only Mongolia hadrecorded an extreme cold temperature. Moreover, the temperature recorded in countries affected was
relatively higher compared to the average extreme temperature recorded for the same country for the past 30
years.
·

Deaths (global)

In 2022, a total of 30,748 deaths caused by disasters (e.g., extreme temperature, flood, storm, drought,

wildfire, landslide, earthquake, extreme temperature, and volcanic activity) was recorded (Figure 7.3). It is
fewer than the annual average between 1992 and 2021, which is 49,414. Except for drought, the average
Section 7

number of deaths per disaster in 2022 (79 deaths per disaster event) is also lower than the average from1992 to 2021 (145 deaths per disaster). While flood was the most frequent disaster in 2022, extreme
temperature caused the most deaths. Extreme temperatures caused 16,416 deaths, which accounted formore than half of all disaster-related deaths in 2022. About 99 percent of them were recorded in Europe(Northern, Southern, and Western) while one percent were in Asia (East, South, and West). The recorded
death in 2022 for extreme temperature was nearly three times the 6,040 average number of deaths for the
past 30 years. Extreme temperature also had the highest number of deaths per disaster event at 1,368 perdisaster event in 2022.

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.3 Number of people killed by disaster type 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

percent), and storm (5 percent). Floods caused 8,038 deaths in 2022, which is higher than the 30-year
average of 6,740. This can be attributed to the recent major floods that happened in Pakistan and
Bangladesh to name a few.
Due to major earthquake events that happened over the last 30 years (e.g., Haiti, Indonesia, and Japan),earthquakes remained to cause the most mortality from 1992 to 2021 at an average of 990 deaths per
disaster event. Comparatively, death per earthquake event for 2022 is significantly lower at 52 per event – thedeadliest of these were the 6-magnitude earthquake that hit Afghanistan, the 6-magnitude earthquake inIndonesia, and the 7-magnitude in China. Meanwhile, death per drought incidence in 2022 reached 113,
more than twice the average from 1992–2021, which is just 47. It was noted that among the 23 drought
incidences in 2022, a total of 2,601 deaths accounted for only two incidences: Uganda and the USA.
Globally, the total number of deaths also showed an increasing trend from 1992–2021. In terms of the total
number of deaths per year, earthquake caused the most deaths per year at 26,074. This was followed bystorm (8,788 per year), flood (6,740), extreme temperature (6,040), drought (1,495), landslide (876), volcanic
activity (109), and wildfire (83).

67

Section 7

Other disasters that recorded the most deaths are flood (26 percent), drought (8 percent), earthquake (5NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022·

People Affected (global)

An estimated of 186 million people were affected in 2022. There are 34.56 million affected people in Middle
Africa, 32.26 million in West Africa, 30.55 million in East Africa, 13.20 million in North Africa, and 12.72 million
in Southeast Asia. More than half of the affected people in 2022 (107.35 million) were affected by drought.
Meanwhile, floods affected 57.52 million (31 percent) storms affected 16.93 million (nine percent), whileearthquakes affected 3.6 million (2 percent).

Section 7

Figure 7.4 Number of people affected by disaster type 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

The total disaster-affected population in 2022 is fewer compared to the annual average of the affected
population for the past three decades (1992–2021), which is 196.85 million. However, drought affected more
people in 2022 compared with the annual average from 1992–2021. Drought-affected population in 2022

(107.35 million) is 80 percent more compared to the 1992–2021 average (59.61 million). Meanwhile, withreference to 1992–2021 data, Asia has the most affected population, wherein almost 84 percent of theaffected population was located. About 10 percent were in Africa while five percent were in America.
South Asia and African regions had the greatest number of people affected by disasters in 2022. Disaster
affected population in South Asia reached 44.46 million, 34.55 million in Middle Africa, 32.24 million in West
Africa, 30.42 million in East Africa, and 13.20 million in North Africa.
·

Economic Losses (global)

Based on available data, 2022 disasters caused damage amounting to USD 223.84 billion. About 59 percentof the said amount (USD 130.98 billion) was accounted for damage by storms and 20 percent (USD 44.93

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

billion) for flood. The EM-DAT data also shows that the damage from 2022 disasters cost more than theannual average damage for the past 30 years, which is USD 121.46 billion. Similarly, storm also caused themost damage from 1992–2021, at approximately USD 53.71 billion or 44 percent of the yearly damage
caused by disasters. Flood, earthquake, drought, and extreme temperature also causes millions of dollars’
worth of damage between 1992 and 2021.

Section 7

Figure 7.5 Economic losses by disaster type 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

The available data also indicate that for the past 30 years, a huge part of the damage from disasters wasconcentrated in high-income countries (i.e., USA, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Australia, etc.). About 97
percent of the recorded annual average damage was accounted for seven high-income countries. Some
references pointed out that most of the losses from disasters were higher in high-income countries due to thevaluation of infrastructure and houses, higher costs of living, and damage and losses are easily calculated

since most of them are insured.1
7.1.2

Asian Disaster Data

Historically, there were an average of 90 disasters per year in Asia between 1900 and 2021. During thisperiod, China experienced the most disasters. Other countries with the greatest number of disasters include
India, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

1

ChristianAid, Counting the Cost 2022: A year of climate breakdown,

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-12/counting-the-cost-2022.pdf

69

NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.6 Trend of natural disaster occurrence in Asia 1900–2022(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

The top 10 countries with the highest number of disaster occurrences in 2022 include Indonesia (20 events),
Philippines (12), China (12), Thailand (11), Viet Nam (8), Afghanistan (8), India (7), Japan (7), Malaysia (6),and Nepal (6).

Section 7

Figure 7.7 Top 10 countries in Asia with high occurrence of disasters in 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Some of the major disasters that occurred in 2022 include the 5.6-magnitude West Java earthquake in
November, the 7.3-magnitude earthquake in West Sumatra in February, and the floods in Pakistan in January
and October. Several tropical cyclones and earthquakes also struck the Philippines. Meanwhile, China had amajor drought and several instances of earthquakes. Floods and storms also occurred in several areas ofThailand, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Malaysia, India, Japan, and Nepal.
While there were only five disaster events in Pakistan, the three-month flood and flash flood that happened
from June to September is considered one of the worst disasters in Asia in 2022. The disaster affected a totalof 33 million and caused 1,739 deaths. Similarly, in terms of the number of people affected, the flood in
Bangladesh in October also affected about 8.2 million while Typhoon Nalgae affected 7.9 million. China also
experienced drought in September which affected 6.1 million. India’s flood in May also affected 1.3 million.
·

Occurrence (Asia)

A total of 137 disasters occurred in Asia in 2022, which is lower compared to the annual average of 141
between 1992 and 2021 (Figure 7.8). Most types of disasters showed an increasing trend for the past 30
years, except for wildfire which has a decreasing linear trend. Similar to the global trend, flood, storm, andearthquake are the most frequent disasters in Asia from 1992–2021. Disaster occurrence per Asian region in
2022 also followed the trend for the past 30 years. Most of the disasters occurred in Southeast Asia, followedby South, East, West, and Central Asia.

Section 7

Figure 7.8 Disaster occurrence in Asia by disaster type 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022·

Deaths (Asia)

A total of 927,278 disaster-related deaths occurred in Asia between 1992 and 2021, with an annual averageof 30,909. About 58 percent of these numbers were caused by earthquake. Among other disasters thatcaused a high number of deaths for the past 30 years are storm (23 percent), flood (14 percent), extreme
temperature (2 percent), and landslide (2 percent). Most of the disaster-related deaths in Asia were fromSoutheast Asia, South, and Eastern Asia, particularly Indonesia, Myanmar, China, India, Pakistan, and Sri
Lanka. Comparatively, the 2022 figures were significantly lower at 7,550 deaths.

Section 7

Figure 7.9 Number of people killed by disaster type in Asia 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

The causes of most disaster-related deaths in Asia are different from the global trend. In Asia, disasters thatcaused most deaths in 2022 include flood, earthquake, storm, landslide, and extreme temperature. Regionsthat have the most disaster-related deaths in Asia was also slightly different from the 1992–2021 trend.
Majority of death due to disasters came from South Asia, accounting for the effect of the massive flood inPakistan and several disasters in India and Afghanistan. High death incidences were also recorded inSoutheast Asia (1,176), particularly Indonesia and Philippines, and East Asia due to several disasters in
China.
In terms of death per disaster event, earthquake still has the most both for 2022, which is 76 per event and in
the past 30 years, which is 1,055.

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022·

People Affected (Asia)

The 137 disasters which occurred in 2022 affected a total of 64.23 million Asians. South Asia has the greatest
number of disaster-affected, considering the effects of the disasters in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. In
terms of disaster types, flood affected the most in Asia in 2022 (45.82 million). Meanwhile, storm, drought,
and earthquake also had affected a relatively large number of Asian populations.
Comparatively, the affected population in 2022 is less than half of the average number of affected persons
per year for the past 30 years, which is 168.81 million. Meanwhile, East, South, and Southeast Asia had themost affected population during this period. Similarly, flood, drought, storm, earthquake, and extreme
temperature also has the most effects in Asia for the past 30 years.

Section 7

Figure 7.10 Number of people affected by disaster type in Asia 1992–2021 vs
2022 (EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)·

Economic Losses (Asia)

Based on EM-DAT data, 2022 disasters in Asia caused about USD 48.75 billion in damages. Flood caused
the most damage at USD 25.53 billion, followed by earthquake (USD 12.19 billion), drought (USD 7.6 billion),and storm (USD 3.42 billion). The total amount of damage in Asia in 2022 is relatively lower than the averageannual damage for the past 30 years, which is USD 52.88 billion. Similar to the global trend, high-income
nations, China and Japan, showed the largest amount of damages incurred for the past 30 years, at 36 and34 percent of the total damage from 1992 to 2021.

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

For 2022 on the other hand, due to the extent of damage brought by the flood, Pakistan was second to havethe most amount of damages, at USD 15 billion. It was next to China whose disasters in 2022 caused USD
16 billion worth of damage.

Figure 7.11 Economic losses by disaster type in Asia 1992–2021 vs 2022
(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)
Section 7

7.2

Climate Related Disasters

This section provides an overview of climate-related disasters, particularly those triggered by drought,
extreme temperatures, storms, floods, and wildfire events.
In the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) of the IPCC, extremes (e.g., temperature extremes, heavy
precipitation, pluvial floods, river floods, droughts, and storms) are highlighted as main Climatic Impact
Drivers (CIDs) that affect an element of society or ecosystems2. Global greenhouse gas emissions havecontinued to increase, rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.
These climatic changes are exacerbated by unsustainable energy use, land-use change, lifestyles, andpatterns of consumption/production across regions, between countries, and among individuals contributing toclimate extremes. Since extremes led to widespread adverse impacts and related losses/damages to natureand people, it helps to know the trend of climate-related disasters.
7.2.1

Global trend in climate-related disasters

Based on the EM-DAT data, climate-related disasters (drought, flood, and storm) have been increasing
globally. Floods were the most prevalent among the three with an average occurrence of 93 per year,
globally, from 1992 until 2021 (Figure 7.12). There was also an annual average of 70 storms and 13
droughts. From 8 disasters per year in the 1940s, the average number of climate-related disasters per year
increased to 290 in the recent decade.
2

IPCC, Climate Change 2023 Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers,

https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf

74

NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.12 Global trend of climate-related disasters (drought, flood, and storm) 1992–2021(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

As shown in earlier figures, climate-related disasters (i.e., drought, flood, and storm) account for the highest
number of people affected (see Figure 7.4) and economic losses (see Figure 7.5) in 2022. Of the 388 disasteroccurrences recorded globally in 2022, 308 are climate-related disasters. This includes disasters triggered bydrought (23 events), floods (177), and storms (108). Based on EM-DAT, 2022 disaster figures were generally
higher than those from the last 30 years. From 1992 to 2021, there is an average of 16 droughts, 147 floods,
and 100 storms annually. Meanwhile, except for drought, the number of people affected by 2022 climaterelated disasters was less compared to the average number of people affected per year by the same type ofdisasters between 1992 and 2021. The number of people affected by drought is 80 percent more compared tothe annual average from 1992–2021 while people affected by floods and storms were less than 40 and 48

7.2.2

Section 7

percent, respectively.
Asian trend in climate-related disasters

Similar to the global trend, the number of climate-related disasters in Asian countries is also increasing. A totalof 98 climate-related disaster events occurred in 25 countries in 2022, almost 32 percent of the total climaterelated disaster events globally. This is composed of the massive drought in China, 69 floods, including thosein Pakistan and Indonesia, and 28 storms. Relative to past trends, disasters triggered by droughts and storms
occurred less in 2022. However, there were more floods in 2022 compared to the average number of floods
per year from 1992 to 2021. On average, there were about four droughts, 60 floods, and 41 storms per year in
Asia between 1992 and 2021(Figure 7.13). Yet, fewer were affected by these disasters in 2022 compared tothe average number of affected populations per year between 1992 and 2021.

75

NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.13 Trend of climate-related disasters (drought, flood, and storm) in Asia 1992–2021(EM-DAT/CRED, 2023)

Based on records, there were also fewer deaths and displaced populations in 2022 compared to the annual
average for the past 30 years. Flood remains to be the most devastating disaster as it affected and displaced
the most population compared to drought and storms. Meanwhile, storms have the greatest number of
average deaths per year compared to floods and droughts. 2022 figures are almost similar to the 30-year
trend. Of all the disaster the occurred in Asia in 2022, flood is the most frequent (see Figure 7.8) with the mostdevastating impacts showing the highest number of people killed (see Figure 7.9), affecting more people (seeFigure 7.10), and causing severe economic losses (see Figure 7.11).
Section 7

7.3

COVID-19 Data

Using data from the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Dashboard3, this section presents an
overview of the cumulative data on the confirmed number of cases and deaths since WHO’s declaration of
the pandemic on 11 March 2020. It also shows the situation globally and in ADRC member countries.
7.3.1

Global Situation

While there have been multiple occurrences of upward trends in the number of confirmed cases since thestart of the pandemic, the major upward trends in 2022 were recorded in January, March, July, andDecember. The highest number of confirmed cases for 2022 was reported on 19 December wherein a total of
44.20 million confirmed cases were reported on a single day (Figure 7.14). Ninety percent of the drastic
increase in the number was from the Western Pacific region and four percent came from Europe (2 percent)and the Americas (2 percent). A notable increase was also observed in China in December due to an
Omicron subvariant. At least eight other Omicron subvariants have been identified in 2022. Omicronsubvariants are recognized to be transmitted more rapidly compared to other variants. However, the huge
surge of cases in December 2022 was immediately followed by a drastic decline of cases. So, in the firstquarter of 2023 many countries started lifting COVID-19 restrictions and slowly opened their borders.

3WHO, COVID-19 Dashboard, https://covid19.who.int/

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.14 Global situation of COVID-19 as of July 2023 (WHO, 2023)

7.3.2

COVID-19 Situation in ADRC Member Countries

By the end of 2022, China has the greatest cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at 84.93 million.
This was followed by India with 44.68 million, Japan with 29.11 million, the Republic of Korea with 29.06
million, and the Russian Federation with 21.80 million (Figure 7.15). Several ADRC member countries havemore than doubled the number of confirmed cases from 2021 figures. The highest jump in the number ofconfirmed cases was from China whose cumulative number of confirmed cases ballooned from 132,071 as of
31 December 2021 to 84.93 million as of 31 December 2022. Other increasing cases included the Republic ofKorea (from 635,250 to 29.06 million), Bhutan (2,660 to 62,531), Japan (from 1.73 million to 29.11 million),
Singapore (279,405 to 2.21 million), Vietnam (1.73 to 11.53 million), and Thailand (2.22 million to 4.72
Section 7

million).

Figure 7.15 COVID-19 cases in ADRC member countries as of 31 December 2022 (WHO, 2023)

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Meanwhile, India remained to have the highest number of COVID-related deaths among ADRC member
countries at 530,702 as of 31 December 2022. This was followed by the Russian Federation (393,712
deaths), Indonesia (160,612), Iran (144,682), Türkiye (101,419), and Philippines (65,397). In terms of theincreased number of deaths from 2021, China also had the largest increase in the cumulative number ofdeaths due to COVID-19 among ADRC member countries. It increased from 5,699 to 52,544. COVID-related
deaths in Bhutan, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Singapore also increased drastically by more than 100
percent. Meanwhile, Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and Bangladesh’s number of deaths for 2022
is less than 5 percent of 2021’s. However, it should be noted that the mentioned figures depend on thepolicies and the number of COVID-19 tests conducted in each country.

Section 7

Figure 7.16 ADRC member countries with the highest increase in the number of deaths by 2022

Consider the situation as of December 2022 (Figure 7.18), COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed inseveral ADRC member countries, allowing more lenient policies on movement domestically. As early as 2ndquarter, India and South Korea have already lifted some of their domestic restrictions. South Korea also

resumed its visa-free travels as early as March 2022. 4Japan also removed its cap on foreign travelers andalso resumed its visa-free travels during the last quarter of 2022.5 Towards mid-2023, almost all countries in
Asia opened their borders.

4Choi, S (2022. April 15). South Korea to lift most COVID curbs next week as Omicron wanes.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/skorea-lift-most-covid-curbs-next-week-yonhap-2022-04-14/
5Akiyama, H. (2022, September 14). Japan set to announce restart of visa-free tourist travel. Nikkei Asia.

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NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK 2022

Figure 7.17 COVID-19 Situation in ADRC member countries as of December 2022.

Moreover, with the relaxation of the COVID-19 restrictions, vaccination became a priority in ADRC member
countries. All ADRC member countries already had at least two vaccines administered by 2022. However,
only three countries provided data on the cumulative number of vaccine doses administered in 2022 –Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan. Based on reported data, there are about 3.85 trillion doses of vaccines
administered in four ADRC member countries as of the 1st quarter of 2023 – China, Mongolia, Philippines,
and Türkiye.
Section 7

79

Annexes

ANNEX 1 HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF ADRC

History of Establishment of ADRC

1990s: International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR)At its 42nd General Assembly in December 1987, the United Nations (UN) designated the 1990s as theInternational Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). It adopted a resolution aiming to sharply
reduce the damage caused by natural disasters around the world, particularly in developing countries,
through joint international action.

1994: World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction
In May 1994, the UN held the World Conference on Natural Disaster Reduction in Yokohama, Japan, toconduct an interim review of the decade-long IDNDR initiative and to propose an action plan for the future. At
the meeting, the “Yokohama Strategy for a Safer World” was adopted, highlighting the importance ofinternational cooperation in regions that share common types of disasters and disaster reduction measures.
Since then, disaster reduction activities have been promoted throughout the world based on this strategy.

1995: Ministerial-level Asian Natural Disaster Reduction Conference
As the first step toward regional cooperation under the Yokohama Strategy, the IDNDR Secretariat organizeda meeting in Kobe in December 1995 to formulate a policy on disaster reduction cooperation in Asia. Cabinet
members in charge of disaster reduction from 28 countries attended the meeting, which concluded with the
adoption of the Kobe Disaster Reduction Declaration. This declaration consists of ideas for promotinginternational cooperation in disaster reduction, including a Japanese proposal to launch a feasibility study on
Annexesa system for coordinating disaster reduction efforts in the Asian region.

1996: Asian Natural Disaster Reduction Experts Meeting
The Government of Japan and the IDNDR Secretariat jointly organized an expert meeting in October 1996 to
thresh out how a central disaster reduction system, as stated in the Kobe Disaster Reduction Declaration,
might be created for the Asian region. The meeting was attended by key personnel in the disaster reduction
bureaus of 30 countries, and they agreed to study the creation of the tentatively named “Asian Disaster
Reduction Center (ADRC)” to serve as a secretariat for promoting activities under the proposed system.

1997: Asian Disaster Reduction Cooperation Promotion Meeting
Again, the Government of Japan and the IDNDR Secretariat jointly organized a meeting in Tokyo in June
1997 to discuss activities to be undertaken by the proposed center for disaster reduction system. Likewise,
the key personnel from the disaster reduction bureaus of 23 countries attended the meeting with an overall

83ANNEX 1 HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF ADRC

goal of promoting cooperation in disaster reduction efforts through specific actions. A proposal was made at
the meeting to establish a center in Japan to serve as the secretariat for the proposed system.

1998: Establishment of ADRC
Gaining momentum from these series of meetings, the Government of Japan discussed the organization,budget, and other aspects of the proposed office with the other countries involved. With the cooperation of
Hyogo Prefecture, ADRC was officially established in Kobe on 30 July 1998.

Annexes84

ANNEX 2 OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL RECOVERY PLATFORM

Overview of International Recovery Platform
IRP was established following the Second UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Hyogo,
Japan in 2005 to support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) by addressing thegaps and constraints experienced in the context of post-disaster recovery. After a decade of functioning as aninternational source of knowledge on good recovery practice, IRP refocused its role as an "international
mechanism for sharing experience and lessons associated with build-back-better".

IRP is not an operational body. So, it does not directly implement project activities. Instead, it functions as aplatform for interested partners to periodically meet to exchange lessons and ideas that will promote recovery
best practice and learnings as well as capacity building. Its activities are governed by a Steering Committee
and supported by a small Secretariat based in Kobe Japan and hosted by the Japanese Government, theHyogo Prefectural Government, ADRC, and UNDRR.
IRP works towards supporting greater advancements in the field of resilient recovery and build-back-better by:·bringing together a broad range of senior policy makers and practitioners to exchange experiences andfacilitate discussion on resilient recovery challenges and build-back-better opportunities at the annual
International Recovery Forum·

advocating for closer cooperation with development partners, regional intergovernmental organizations,regional organizations, and regional platforms for disaster risk reduction in promoting and building
capacity for achieving effective build-back-better outcomes·sharing of information through its inter-active website

Committee members contribute towards the approved activities of IRP, by means of commitment of funds orin-kind contributions. The Steering Committee members can request the Chair for technical experts or
specialist to attend meetings on an ad-hoc basis to provide specialist inputs as and when deemed necessary.
The members of IRP Steering Committee are: ADB, ADRC, Cabinet Office Japan, CEPREDENAC, Hyogo

Prefectural Government Japan, ILO, MOFA-Italy, SDC-Switzerland, the World Bank, UN-Environment,
UNCRD, UNDP, UNESCO, UN-Habitat, UNDRR, UNOPS, and WHO (Figure 1 Logos of IRP SC members)

Figure 1. Logos of IRP SC Members

85

Annexes

IRP is governed by the Steering Committee, where membership is decided by consensus. SteeringANNEX 3 NOTES ON SOURCES OF DATA FOR THE NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOK

Notes on Sources of Data
Natural Disaster Data
All disaster data are based on EM-DAT: The Emergency Events Database - Université catholique de Louvain(UCL) - CRED, www.emdat.be, Brussels, Belgium. Data set was obtained on 16 May 2023, unless otherwise
stated. The presentation of data in Databook 2022 focused only on eight disaster types: drought, earthquake,
extreme temperature, flood, landslide, storm, wildfire, and volcanic activity.

EM-DAT Criteria:
For a disaster to be entered into the database, at least one of the following criteria must be fulfilled:·Ten (10) or more people reported killed·

Hundred (100) or more people reported affected·

Declaration of a state of emergency·

Call for international assistance

Databook 2022 follows the EM-DAT definitions of “people killed” as persons confirmed as dead and persons
missing and presumed dead; “people affected” as the sum of injured, homeless, and affected requiring

immediate assistance during the period of emergency and requiring basic survival needs such as food, water,
shelter, sanitation and immediate medical assistance.

Disaster Terms:
Drought includes an extended period of unusually low precipitation that produces a shortage of water for
Annexes

people, animals and plants.
Earthquake includes ground shaking and tsunami.
Epidemic includes bacterial and viral infectious diseases.
Extreme Temperature includes heat wave, cold wave, and extreme winter conditions.

Flood includes general flood, and flash flood.
Insect Infection is pervasive influx and development of insects or parasites affecting humans, animals, crops
and materials.
Landslide includes avalanche, debris, and rockfall.
Storm includes local storm, tropical cyclone, and winter storm.
Volcanic activity means volcanic eruption.
Wildfire includes bush/brush fire, forest fire, and scrub/grassland fire.

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ANNEX 3 NOTES ON SOURCES OF DATA FOR THE NATURAL DISASTER DATABOOKClassification of EM-DAT:EM-DAT distinguishes between two generic categories for disasters: natural and technological. The natural
disaster category is divided into 5 sub-groups, which in turn cover 15 disaster types and more than 30 subtypes. The technological disaster category is divided into 3 sub-groups which in turn cover 15 disaster types:
https://www.irdrinternational.org/knowledge_pool/publications/173

COVID-19 Data
All COVID-19 data used in the Databook 2022 is based from the World Health Organization Coronavirus(COVID-19) Dashboard, https://covid19.who.int/ accessed on 14 July 2023.

Data from the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard are from the official reporting to WHO through regional offices andalso from public websites, not official reported to WHO. Member States select the reporting system they
prefer to use and data from different reporting systems. Individual countries, area and territories may decline
to allow country-level disaggregation.

Some ADRC member-countries have no record of COVID-19-related data in the WHO COVID-19 Dashboard.

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