emergency assistance. At the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe in 2005, the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 was adopted as a basic guideline for disaster risk reduction activities in the international community. Japan promotes its worldwide implementation in cooperation with the United Nations and so forth.

At the conference, Japan announced its Initiative for Disaster Reduction through ODA, which represents Japan’s basic policies regarding cooperation for disaster risk reduction through official aid. Japan expressed its intent to continue to actively support the self-help efforts by developing countries toward building a disaster-resilient society through institution building, human resource development, development of economic and social infrastructure and other measures. Furthermore, at the Asian-African Summit in 2005, Japan announced that it would be providing more than US$2.5 billion in assistance over the next five years for the disaster prevention and mitigation, and reconstruction measures, and has been steadily implementing support.

## Humanitarian Support in Bangladesh

The cyclone “Sidr” that hit Bangladesh on November 15 and 16, 2007 left 3,363 people dead and 871 people missing. In response, Japan provided emergency relief goods. Through grant aid, based on a request from the government of Bangladesh, Japan provided a cyclone shelter whose effectiveness was reaffirmed in this disaster. As a result of the development of the multipurpose cyclone shelter, it can be expected that 61,000 people will newly be ensured an area for evacuation.

## Flood Control Sector Loan (Indonesia)

The major local cities of Indonesia are frequently damaged by floods, and the challenge is how to deal with this problem. In response, Japan supports the improvement of river and flood control infrastructure. Furthermore, Japan provides various types of support for capacity building for watershed management offices while keeping in mind measures to cope with climate change, and formulation of a comprehensive water resource management plan. Through this support, Japan contributes to lessening the damage from floods in these regions, and economic development.

## Japan Disaster Relief Team

Japan is prepared to swiftly extend emergency relief aid in response to requests from the government of a disaster-affected country or an international organization in case of a large-scale disaster overseas. There are four types of teams: Search and Rescue Team to search and rescue disaster victims; Medical Team to provide medical services for disaster victims; Expert Team to give advice and instruction on first aid measures, etc.; and SDF units to be dispatched when particularly necessary. As for material aid, Japan has emergency relief goods to be swiftly supplied to disaster-affected countries in case of a large-scale disaster. Specifically, warehouses located at four overseas points stockpile goods necessary for victims' livelihoods, such as tents, power generators and blankets.

The magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia on September 30, 2009 was a major disaster that left approximately 1,100 people dead and 2,900 people injured. Japan received a request from the government of Indonesia on October 1 and decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief Team and provide emergency relief goods. Search and rescue teams, medical teams, and SDF units were dispatched. Also, Japan has provided emergency relief goods to Mexico (novel influenza), Burkina Faso (flood), the Philippines (typhoon), Papua New Guinea (infectious diseases such as cholera), Samoa (earthquake and tsunami), Vietnam (typhoon), Indonesia (earthquake [previously mentioned]), Laos (typhoon), and Bhutan (earthquake).

Japan Disaster Relief Team carrying out medical activities (Photo: JICA)