COMMUNITY-BASEDDISASTER RISK MANAGEMENTIN JAPANA LESSON LEARNEDFOR VIETNAM

Kobe, March 2023

Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC member countries.
The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADRC. The
boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the maps in the report also do not imply
official endorsement or acceptance by the ADRC.

OUTLINE
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONCBDRM IN JAPAN AND VIETNAMLESSONS LEARNEDRECOMMENDATIONS

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONRationale• Japan and Vietnam have a long standing experience of “self-help” and “mutualhelp” during the disaster.
• The community participation in disaster risk reduction activities is the key tosuccess of Japan resilience.
• Lessons learned are valuable for other countries in Asia in particular and in theworld in general.

Research objectives• Have overview picture of DRM system and CBDRM activities in Japan andVietnam.

• Japan best practices on CBDRM and lessons learned for Vietnam.
• Recommendations for Vietnam to apply successful CBDRM models of Japan.

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONADRC Visiting Researcher Program
Offer chances to witness DRM system in Japan and the spirit of mutual help and self help among thecommunity• Visits to famous museums and memorial parks in Japan• Learn from the community based disaster risk reduction activities such as the town-watching fordisaster risk reduction, Iza! Mikaeru Caravan, etc.
• Understand the relations between the Government organizations and local communities in
preparing the CBDRM Plan in Japan• Witness the disaster damages and build-back-better of Japan

Iza Mikaery Caravan

Great Hanshin AwaijiMuseum - DRI

Tsunami TakashioStationRokko Sabo OfficeWorkshop Town
Watching DRR

Kyoto Cultural Heritage

Kyoto Ujigawa OpenLab

Kobe City Emergency
Management Office

Tokyo Rinkai Disaster
Prevention Park

Cabinet Office

Nagoya University

Miki City

E-Defence

Hyogo Emergency
Management CenterJMA2. CBDRM IN JAPAN AND VIETNAM
The term “Community-based disaster risk management(CBDRM) was first introduced in the mid-1990s in Asia:
People living in high risk areas affected the most when natural disasters strikeand must take responsibility in supporting each other to reduce disaster impacts

Local people have best knowledge about their area and obtain practicalexperience, skills on traditional responses suitable to the environment,
economic, culture conditions;
The CBDRM approach focuses on building the capacity of communities toassess their vulnerability and risks to both human-induced and natural hazards
and develop strategies using available resources to prevent and mitigate theimpact of identified hazards
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2. CBDRM IN JAPAN
Awareness Raising and Knowledge Promotion on
Disaster Reduction
Promotion of efforts for disaster reduction: Strengthen community
resilience and reduce the disaster impacts require close cooperationamong individuals, families, local community and relevant entities, to build
momentum for a nationwide movement
Education for disaster risk reduction:• “Disaster Reduction Education Challenge Plan” to nurture apositive environment for more proactive disaster reduction
education• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology hasenhanced contents regarding disaster reduction in the new
Curriculum Guidelines announced in 2017/2018• “Guide to Make a Disaster Reduction Manual for Schools(Earthquake and Tsunami),” and “Development of a Disaster
Reduction Education to Nurture Power to Live On”

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2. CBDRM IN JAPANSuccessful models of CBDRM in Japan
Community based organizations (CBOs) in Great
East Japan Earthquake
Local communities carried out disaster-related
activities as volunteers since 17th century.
• Suibo-dan for flood risk dating from the 17thcentury• Syobo-dan for firefighting from the 18th century,• Jisyubo for earthquake disasters from the 1970s

In addition, NGOs and NPOs are involved in DRM activities at the community level. Many of them collaborate with
Jichikai (neighborhood associations) and local governments, and sometimes with local academic institutions

2. CBDRM IN JAPAN
Successful models of CBDRM in Japan
Case studies• In the Wakabayashi ward, Sendai City, the local
community has strong relationship with theelementary school to educate people in disaster
preparedness. When a tsunami warning issued for
the Tohoku coast, and tsunami waves of up to 1.5
meters reached some areas. The communities inWakabashi to reexamine their evacuation plans.
They found that it would take longer than expectedfor school children in Arahama Elementary, toevacuate to the designated school so they decided
to take shelter in Arahama Elementary School. About
320 people have saved during GEJE.
• In Kesennuma City, Jichikai undertook regulardisaster drills. That help local residents to evacuatesafely and quickly to higher ground immediately after
the GEJE, thus saving many lives saved

Roles of CBOs in the GEJE

• The role of communities in DRM is formallyrecognized and supported by local and national
authorities through linkages with local institutions(Jichikai).
• Community-based DRM activities are wellintegrated in the daily lives of the residents,
ensuring that awareness of natural hazards ismaintained.

The ruins of the building that formerly Arahama Elementary School andKesennuma Kōyō High School have been preserved as a memorial2. CBDRM IN JAPAN
Successful models of CBDRM in Japan
BOKOMI model of Kobe City
• Learn from the Great Hanshin-Awaiji earthquake lessons,the Kobe city government focused on the development of
the voluntary organizations for DRR in communities• The community based disaster risk reduction organization
was known as “Disaster Safe Welfare Communities”
which short name is BOKOMI• Bokomi model was established based on elementaryschool by the residents. Because elementary school
district has an existing “welfare community” organization
established for welfare purposes and a disaster risk
reduction organization was integrated into the existingorganizations• 191 districts in the city have their BOKOMI covering thewhole area of Kobe City

2. CBDRM IN VIETNAM
National Program on CBDRM for period 2009-2020 and 2021-2030
Objectives to 2030
▪ 100% of people in communes
frequently affected by disasterprovided with CBDRM training▪ 100% of officials, public
employees and individuals
trained on CBDRM▪ 100% of schools/ universities
mainstream disaster risk
reduction in their education
program▪ 100% of communes develop
DRM plans with community
participation

Component I

Component II

Component III

Finalizing
mechanisms, policies
and materials guiding
the implementation of
publicawarenessraising
andcommunity-based
disasterriskmanagement
activities

Building capacity forindividuals
andgovernmental officials
at all levels on themanagement
andimplementation
ofcommunity
awarenessraising
andcommunitybased disaster risk
management
activities

Strengthening
communicational andeducational activities
to raise awarenessand build capacity forcommunitiesondisasterriskreduction

2. CBDRM IN VIETNAM
Results after 20 years implementing the National Programon Community Awareness Raising and CBDRM• 200 relevant legal documents are issued• 1,628,420 communication programs organized• 3,701,129 people accessed information• 3,671 training classes organized for more than 116,681 trainers and
256,266 facilitators• 108,874 handbooks allocated• 1,000 drills and exercises organized;• 63/63 provinces/cites issued the CBDRM plans for theimplementation of the National Program;3. LESSONS LEARNS FOR VIETNAM- Get the involvement of community in developing the DRM Plan.
- Facilitate the community to develop the hazard map: high risk areas, the route to
the evacuation centers, the contact person information. The hazard map
developed by the community should be distributed to every house (Townwatching for DRR)
- Since natural disasters are difficult to accurately predict, the important thing ispeople's awareness of the disaster and how to prevent it (Awareness RaisingDay, National DRM Day)
- Pass lessons to next generation (museums, memorial parks). Visitors who areinterested on DRR can see the image of past disasters and receive themessages from the victims of the disaster.

3. LESSONS LEARNS FOR VIETNAM- The institutionalization of CBDRM activities, clearly stating the responsibilities ofthe parties, especially the participation of the private enterprises sector plays animportant role in promoting more sustainable DRM programs.
- Successfully built up a model of Community Based Voluntary Organization forDisaster Risk Reduction (“BOKOMI”) and Community Based Organizations- In the evacuation center, place the stockpiling items, chargers, blankets, heaters
and some radio communication facilities which can be used in the emergency
case (Miki City)- Regularly conduct the DRM drills. Most of cities have the schedule for monthlydrills. The CBOs distributed the lists to every house and anybody who areinterested to participate can join.
- It is necessary to ensure stable financial resources for implementing CBDRM.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS• The establishment of the community based organization such as the flood
prevention team or firefighting team should be promoted. The in-place humanresources who understand the situation and people will be an advantage in
effectively response to disaster.
• Strong and effective CBDRM requires grassroots support and linkages to theday-to-day life of the community. Linking disaster risk awareness andpreparedness activities to local cultural events can be extremely effective inmaintaining a culture of preparedness.
• Frequently organize the drills/ simulations to raise community awareness andforce them to be better prepared when disaster strikes

4. RECOMMENDATIONS• Effective and sustainable CBDRM requires the formal recognition and support oflocal and national authorities. In addition to providing financial and technicalassistance, local and national governments should develop legislation on andinstitutionalize the role of CBOs.
• Vietnam should consider to develop a museum where all the historical disasterevents are recorded and disaster response measures can be passed toeveryone.
• Continue learning from BOKOMI model in the effort of reducing disaster risks forthe children in Vietnam (collaboration between UNICEF, Ministry of Educationand Training and JICA)• Joint project between Vietnam (VNDMA) and ADRC on the community
awareness raising and community based disaster risk management.

Thank you very much
ADRC Visiting Researcher
THAI MINH HUONGDivision of International Cooperation and Science Technology
Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development