Activity Report： Themes & Issues >> Information for DRM

28 February 2025

ADRC publishes the Natural Disaster Data Book annually to provide a statistical and analytical overview of disasters. The Data Book covers occurrences of disaster events, deaths, affected people, and economic losses, focusing on seven disaster types: drought, earthquake, extreme temperature, flood, storm, wildfire, and volcanic activity.

The latest edition for 2023, as well as previous Data Books, can be found at the following website (in English only).

Natural Disasters Data Book 2023:

https://www.adrc.asia/publications/databook/DB2023_e.php

(2025/2/28 15:00)

28 February 2025

It is important to archive records and lessons learned for future generations and for other regions where major disasters are anticipated. ADRC has been supporting the effort to collect good practices for applying satellite remote sensing technologies to disaster management. One such record of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake entitled "A Record of the International Collaboration in Space-Based Responses to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake" was released by the Cambridge Scholars Publishing in November 2023, written by Dr KAKU Kazuya, Visiting Researcher of the ADRC.

The book provides a record of the generous and friendly support provided to Japan by other countries and the international community. In the wake of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, 27 satellites from 14 countries and regions repeatedly and collaboratively observed the disaster area from space to support disaster response activities. Through the response to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, it was empirically proven that space-based responses with international collaboration can effectively support relief efforts during mass catastrophes.

The book examines activities related to the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and others conducted by Sentinel Asia (SA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) between 2006 and 2014 to derive the requirements for applying satellite remote sensing to disaster response support. It could serve as a reminder to those seeking to ensure preparedness for future calamities. The book could also be a textbook on the application of satellite remote sensing in disaster management.

For more information, see the below links.

Hardback and paperback:

https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-4636-3

E-book:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Kazuya_Kaku_A_Record_of_the_International_Collabor?id=PdriEAAAQBAJ

(2025/2/28 15:00)

30 November 2024

Sentinel Asia (SA) is a framework for collaboration among the space community (space agencies), the disaster management community (ADRC and its member organisations, and disaster management organisations), the international community, and academia (university, research and technical institutes). Collaboration with the disaster management community, via the ADRC and its members, has been a part of the major vision of SA from the outset. SA was initially proposed in 2004 under the framework of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).Its implementation was agreed to in 2005. Implementation and operation began in 2006, and it is still in operation today.

A book entitled "10th Anniversary of Sentinel Asia: Space-Based Disaster Management Support in the Asia-Pacific" was released by the Cambridge Scholars Publishing in November 2024. It was written by Dr KAKU Kazuya, Visiting Researcher of the ADRC, Mr SUZUKI Koji, Project Director of the ADRC, and others.

The book summarises the activities of SA over the first decade from its conceptual inception in 2004, commemorating its 10th anniversary. It describes its history, framework, implementation approaches, how it operates, and its achievements, providing a good case study on how local partners have constructively collaborated to apply satellite remote sensing to support disasters management in the region. It will contribute to the further development of SA, and be a useful example for similar international collaborations for disaster response elsewhere.

Royalties from the book will be donated to disaster management efforts. For more information, see the below links.

Hardback: https://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-0364-1715-4

E-book: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=W3QzEQAAQBAJ&rdid=book-W3QzEQAAQBAJ&rdot=1&source=gbs_vpt_read&pcampaignid=books_booksearch_viewport&pli=1

(2024/12/07 15:00)

17 November - 14 December 2024

Indonesia is prone to frequent earthquakes, similarly to Japan, where many lives and properties have been lost in past earthquakes. As a countermeasure, Japan has established an earthquake early warning system. But there are still challenges to developing such a system in Indonesia.

Against this background, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), one of the main agencies handling disaster information in Indonesia, requested the ADRC to conduct a training program to improve the capabilities of BMKG officers. The training took place from 17 November to 14 December 2024, with 30 BMKG staff members attending. Participants visited DRR institutions involved in disaster management and undertook practical training. They attended lectures on seismology, Japan's early warning system, and recent research cases from the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, and Kyoto University. Participants also learnt about the government's DRR efforts at the Cabinet Office of Japan, and in Fujisawa City.

They toured areas affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and visited earthquake ruins and museums related to the disaster. There were also lectures on the latest earthquake disaster prevention measures from private companies involved in railroads, disaster maps using satellite images, warning devices, and communications.

Participants were able to learn about disaster prevention in Japan and the latest efforts in the development of earthquake early warning systems, which was one of the main themes of the program. We hope that their experience and knowledge will contribute to the development of a system in Indonesia in the future.

(2024/12/21 15:00)

12-13 November 2024 (Hanoi, Vietnam)

The Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR2024) was organized in Hanoi, Vietnam on 12-13 November 2024, hosted by the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA), in cooperation with the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan and Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC). As announced in the previous issue of the ADRC Highlights, this issue provides details of the conference. The documents for the conference are available on the website below.

ACDR2024 website: https://www.adrc.asia/acdr/2024_index.php

Opening Session

Mr Nguyen Hoang Hiep (Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of Vietnam), Mr NUKINA Koji (Assistant Vice Minister for Disaster Management, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan) and Prof. HAMADA Masanori (Chairman, ADRC) delivered the opening remarks stressing the important of role of ADRC in reducing disaster risk in Asia, as well as needs of enforcing disaster countermeasures, and impacts and challenges of recent disasters.

Roundtable

Fifteen member countries, namely: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam delivered official statements at the roundtable on "Challenges and Progress in Implementing the Actions Related to Resilience to Climate Crisis in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR)," which was moderated by Ms Doan Thi Tuyet Nga (Director of International Cooperation and Science Technology Department, VDDMA). Overall, the statements highlighted common strategies on strengthening resilience to climate crisis such as "enhance support mechanisms for climate action," "bolster financing options for mitigation of climate crises," and "embrace science and technology to strengthen climate resilience."

Session 1: Enhancing Flood and Flash Flood Risk Information

Moderated by Prof. MIURA Fusanori (Yamaguchi University, Japan), this session showcased the latest technologies that could help enhance flood and flash flood risk information.

- Associate Prof. Demetrios Eliades (University of Cyprus) presented examples of AI-enabled systems for monitoring and forecasting risk that are useful for flood modelling and flood risk assessment. Additionally, he presented how Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) communication technology can be useful in disseminating flood risk information, particularly in areas that have limited access to cellular networks or WiFi.

- Prof. SHUMUTA Yoshiharu (Center for Asian Studies, Kanagawa University) introduced sensing technologies for disaster response and recovery. For instance, in the risk assessment management system for power lifeline (RAMP), various sensors are utilized to improve the performance of temporal and spatial interpolation.

- Prof. MIURA outlined the current situation of utilizing satellite data for disaster management. He said that there are various forms of cooperation in using satellite data including Sentinel Asia and the Consortium for Satellite Earth Observation (CONSEO) in Japan. However, in delivering the services, publicly-owned and privately-owned satellites work independently. As shown in the result of "disaster prevention drill," independently-provided satellite service is less effective. To make it more effective, a "satellite one-stop system" was introduced to optimize the role of satellites in disaster management.

- Dr Masita Dwi Mandini Manessa (Lecturer, Geography Department, University of Indonesia) highlighted the role of spatial machine learning in predicting landslides and floods in agricultural systems of Magelang Regency in Indonesia. Predictions using spatial machine learning estimate that approximately 38% of high-productive agricultural lands will be exposed to high flood risk.

- Mr Nguyen Xuan Sang (Deputy Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Yen Bai Province, Vietnam) reported the impacts of landslides in Yen Bai Province caused by Typhoon Yagi. Lessons from that experience include the need for improving technologies for forecasting and early warning systems for landslides.

- Mr Hoang Minh Tuan (Head of Disaster Management Administration, Irrigation Sub-Department, Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam) shared lessons from responding to Typhoon Yagi in Cao Bang Province. Among these are the need for better technologies for search and rescue operations, including the use of drones.

Session 2: Improving Flood Countermeasures Based on Analyses of Future Risk for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)

Dr Nguyen Nghia Hung (Deputy Director of Southern Institute for Water Resources Research) moderated this session. Speakers on this session shard principles and approaches in improving flood countermeasures for DRR-CCA.

- Mr SUZUKI Takashi (Advisor for Disaster Risk Management at VDDMA/ JICA Expert) emphasized the concept of "kaizen," a Japanese term for continuous learning and improvement (e.g., failure, science, and world). Applying the concept of gkaizen" helps improve flood countermeasures, such as through scientific river improvement and integrated river basin management.

- Dr ONO Takahiro (Special Appointed Professor, Tohoku University/ General Manager, Tokio Marine Holdings) highlighted the benefits of"ex-ante investment" or pre-investment in disaster risk reduction. Initiatives such as the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and the Disaster Mitigation Action Plan (Timeline) are examples of ex-ante investment that reduce post-event economic contractions and speed-up post-disaster recovery.

- Mr Junha Kim (Head of Team, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Republic of Korea) reported that the implementation of flood countermeasures in the Republic of Korea include: 1) proactive disaster preparedness by ensuring the readiness of institutions in implementing pre-emptive evacuation to reduce casualties; and 2) collaborative disaster management by engaging all stakeholders in disaster governance.

- Ms Angsumalin Angsusingha (Disaster Management Expert, Disaster Management Center, Thailand) shared a case study of flooding in Northern Thailand, and how the DDPM addressed the challenges. She presented the "Solution Framework," a community-centred approach, that DDPM applied in addressing flooding situations. Basically, the "Solution Framework" embraces a community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) approach.

- Mr Le Anh Dung (Director of Irrigation Sub-Department, Agriculture and Rural Development Department, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam) shared about the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in Ha Giang Province. He reported that impacts were severe, yet the external support for emergency response was limited. To address this challenge, Ha Giang Province will continue to train community-based "first-responders" to optimize local capacities.

Special Session: Disasters and Disaster Management in Vietnam

Moderated by Mr SUZUKI (Advisor for Disaster Risk Management at VDDMA/ JICA Expert), this special session provided an overview of the disasters and disaster management in Vietnam. Highlighting floods, flash floods, and landslides in the context of Typhoon Yagi that impacted several provinces in Vietnam in September 2024, this session showed examples and challenges of disaster management in the areas of preparedness, prevention and mitigation, response, and recovery.

- Mr Nguyen Xuan Tung of VDDMA reported the situation of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam over the past 10 years. To reduce future impacts, his?recommendations include: strengthen communication systems, raise community awareness, build local capacity for response, detailed regional accurate forecasting, early warning system, and household-level disaster management planning.

- Mr Quan Van Viet from Lao Cai Province reported the impacts of Typhoon Yagi in Lao Cai Province, causing serious damage to people, property, infrastructure, and disrupting social activities. To effectively address the impacts of similar disaster in the future, he mentioned the following: making the infrastructure more resilient, improving the forecasting and early warning systems, and strengthening data collection and risk analysis.

- Mr Luong Khac Kien from Son La Province introduced the pilot model for flash flood prevention in Son La Province under the technical cooperation between the Government of Japan and Vietnam.

- Mr Pham Quoc Hung from Yen Bai Province introduced the capacity building on landslide early warning that is being piloted in Tram Tau District, Yen Bai Province under the technical cooperation between the Government of Japan and Vietnam.

- Mr Doan Manh Phuong from Quang Ninh Province reported that Typhoon Yagi severely impacted the agricultural production affecting the livelihoods of people in Quang Ninh Province. Actions to address the challenges include support for: 1) school tuition, 2) needs of the agricultural sector, 3) repair of damaged houses, 4) demolition of submerged fishing boats, and 5) development of sustainable aquaculture.

- Dr Nguyen Nghia Hung of the Southern Institute for Water Resource Research presented the challenges in addressing river bank and coastal erosion in the Mekong Delta.

- Mr Ngo Huu Huy of VDDMA presented the Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System (VNDMS), a system that supports disaster prevention and control (DPC) management through data integration and connectivity with various ministries, line agencies, organizations, and local authorities.

- Ms Dam Thi Hoa of VDDMA provided an overview of the Ha Long Ministerial Statement on the Strengthening of ASEAN Anticipatory Actions in Disaster Management to show Vietnam's role in international cooperation for DRR.

Closing Session

The conference concluded with speeches from Mr Pham Duc Luan (Director-General of the VDDMA, MARD, Vietnam), Mr NUKINA Koji (Assistant Vice Minister for Disaster Management, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan), and Prof. MIURA Fusanori, newly appointed Chairman of ADRC, who mentioned their expectations for ADRC and member countries to further promote DRR taking into account climate change, in addition to the crucial role of ADRC to implement the SFDRR in the remaining five years.

(2024/11/20 15:00)

7 September 2024 (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

As part of the "Joint Development of Citizen Empowerment Program for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia" project, conducted by the Kansai University of International Studies (KUIS) with funding from the Toyota Foundation, the ADRC team participated in a community-based disaster management drill utilising ICT in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, 7 September 2024. ADRC served as a supporting organisation for the implementation of the project.

The drill targeted the Jogoyudan community along the Code River in Yogyakarta City, which is vulnerable to disasters such as flooding and cold lava flows from volcanic ash. KUIS and the local University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY) coordinated with the provincial/municipal disaster management agency (BPBD) and the community. Students from KUIS and UAJY actively participated in the drill activities. Although the short preparation time limited sufficient coordination efforts, each party cooperated in the evacuation drills and devised activities such as supporting and evacuating the injured, pregnant women and physically disabled persons.

It was conducted using the community disaster information sharing system (geoBingAn + WhatsApp system) launched by the ADRC in the ASEAN project in Malaysia last year (See ADRC Highlights Vol. 368 and 370). By registering via WhatsApp, which people use every day, the system enables simultaneous broadcasting to the registrant's WhatsApp and collection of information in the form of text, photos and videos from registrants via WhatsApp. It is an easy-to-use system that enables two-way information exchange on WhatsApp.

In addition to information sharing via radio, which BPBD normally uses, information was uploaded by the participants through WhatsApp as needed. BPBD and the community members found the system through WhatsApp to be a very convenient and user-friendly platform for information sharing, as they were already familiar with using WhatsApp. Even after the drill, BPBD asked some questions about future collaboration and expressed interest in continuing to use this system.

As noted above, due to the limited preparation, the local government officials were not able to fully utilise the system during the drill. The results of the ICT-utilised drill were reported at the international workshop "Asian Conference on Civil Disaster Reduction and Response (ACDRI)" under the Toyota-funded project. The ICT-utilised disaster risk reduction event will be continued in the next activity with universities in Malaysia.

(2024/09/14 15:00)

19 August 2024

According to Dr Hak Mao (Director, Department of Climate Change) and Mr Sem Savuth (Vice Chief, Climate Change Information Management, Department of Climate Change), 44% of all communes in Cambodia are vulnerable to the increasing frequency and intensity of flood, drought, and storm due to climate change. By 2050, when sea-level rise is projected to reach 1,302mm, about 242km2 of coastal areas in Cambodia will be inundated, resulting to an estimated economic loss of USD304 million. If the government does not offer additional action to combat the impacts of climate change, the planned GDP for 2050 will be 10% lower.

When this information was presented at the 3rd Webinar series on Climate Change Projection for Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia-Pacific Region on 19 August 2024, panelists and participants were interested to know about climate change countermeasures as well as the challenges in Cambodia. In response, Dr Mao and Mr Savuth said that like other countries in the region, Cambodia enacted policies and regulations to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts. Some of the climate change countermeasures are aimed at: i) increasing the current 62% usage of renewable energy to 70% by 2030; ii) ensuring that 70% of motorcycles and 40% of cars are EVs by 2050; and iii) planting of one million trees annually until 2050 to achieve 60% forest cover. The main challenge, however, is that these are broad actions that don't project specific impacts caused by climate-related disasters, such as extreme flood or storm. In order to do this, downscaled climate data is essential. Currently, historical climate data in Cambodia is sparse. This problem is compounded by limited tools and technologies within the government to measure the impacts or to make accurate projections of climate change.

In view of these concerns, other panelists introduced some of the initiatives and tools for climate change projection that may complement the ongoing climate actions in Cambodia. Prof. MORI Nobuhito (Research Division of Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Disasters, Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University) introduced the SENTAN Program, and the potential collaboration with Cambodia, for assessing the effects of extreme water-related events and analysing the changes of hazards with rising global surface temperature as downscaled to countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr NAKAEGAWA Toshiyuki (Head of Second Laboratory, Department of Applied Meteorology Research, Meteorological Research Institute of Japan Meteorological Agency) introduced tools using high-resolution models and supercomputers to project a future climate at the local level. Dr MURATA Akihiko (Head of First Laboratory, Department of Applied Meteorology Research, Meteorological Research Institute of Japan Meteorological Agency) introduced tools and methods for dynamical downscaling to simulate localised climate change. Mr MORI Noriyuki (Deputy Director, International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management) introduced a comprehensive platform on water resilience and disasters that includes data-integration for hazard, damage, and socioeconomic factors. On this platform, various agencies provide their respective climate data for integration in order to effectively forecast the impacts and provide early warning to communities-at-risk.

In his closing remarks, Prof. TACHIKAWA Yasuto (Hydrology and Water Resources Research Laboratory, Kyoto University) emphasised the potential contributions of SENTAN Program (e.g., tools, technologies, and datasets) to climate change countermeasures that countries in Asia-Pacific region are undertaking. He hoped that the webinar will foster greater collaboration between SENTAN Program and Cambodia.

(2024/08/26 15:00)

24-25 July 2024 (online)

APEC Vietnam organized an online workshop on "Improving the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Communities to Climate Change" on 24-25 July 2024. This workshop comprised four thematic sessions, and ADRC moderated Session 1 on the topic Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Communities to Climate Change in the Asia-Pacific: Prospects and Challenges.

Five speakers presented in this session. The two speakers from Vietnam reported the climate-related challenges at the national and local levels respectively, such as sea-level rise that caused intense typhoons and frequent flooding. Other speakers presented the prospects of addressing climate-related challenges:

i) UNDRR reported that the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction provides guidance for integrating climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures;
ii) Republic of Korea reported that new tools are now available to monitor and predict storm surges; and
iii) Australia reported its leadership in promoting strategic partnerships for coastal resilience in the Asia-Pacific region.

In Session 2 (topic: Scaling up efforts on strengthening resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change), ADRC made a presentation about "Utilizing climate change impact projection data to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities." ADRC, along with a number of research institutes and agencies, introduced its engagement in the Advanced Study of Climate Change Project (SENTAN4) in developing integrated hazard models on storm-and-flood hazards and water resources for the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, ADRC highlighted the utilization of downscaling tools to produce localized climate change impact projection data to inform adaptation and mitigation measures.

ADRC's participation in this workshop provided an opportunity to learn from other economies' experiences and actions in addressing climate-related challenges at the local level.

(2024/08/01 15:00)

24 July 2024 (Denizli, Turkiye)

In recent years, a lot of DRR activities have been conducted between ADRC and Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkiye (AFAD), including international conferences and field survey missions.

Dr IKEDA Makoto from ADRC attended the AFAD seminar in Denizli, Turkiye as a speaker and made several presentations. He shared information about DRR structures in Japan and DRR efforts at the community and national level. Dr Fatma Canaslan Comut reported on recent AFAD's DRR programs such as an information sharing system. The participants also engaged actively in discussion with the two speakers, and the workshop proved to be a useful occasion for considering how to achieve better DRR in Turkiye going forward.

(2024/07/31 15:00)

25-28 June 2024 (Seoul, Republic of Korea )

This year's annual meeting of the Typhoon Committee's Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (WGDRR) was held on 25-28 June 2024 in Seoul, Republic of Korea on the theme "EW4All: Bridging Gaps for Effective Disaster Risk Reduction." ADRC participated in this event on behalf of the Cabinet Office Japan with the following contributions and outcomes:

1) Presented Japan's member report highlighting the milestones on disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities implemented by ADRC in 2023 (e.g., GLIDE, Sentinel Asia, QZSS, training, webinars, ACDR, website, and other information-sharing activities)
2) Announced the host, theme, dates, and venue of the next Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction (ACDR2024) to the members of the WGDRR
3) Noted the key technical presentations related to the theme of ACDR2024, particularly the "Urban inundation response technology using deep learning and sensor data" by the National Disaster Management Research Institute (NDMI)/Republic of Korea and the "Role of Impact-Based Forecasting in Early Warnings for All initiative" by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP)
4) Affirmed a continuing collaboration with WGDRR in information sharing through GLIDE, the website, and online databases to be reflected in the working group's Annual Operations Plans (AOPs)
5) Discussed with the participant from Vietnam regarding ADRC's engagement in the forthcoming APEC Vietnam Online Workshop on "Improving the Resilience of Vulnerable Coastal Communities to Climate Change," 24-25 July 2024.

The WGDRR is one of the working groups under the UN-ESCAP/World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Typhoon Committee, comprising 14 members (i.e., 12 countries and 2 regions) in Asia-Pacific region.

(2024/07/05 15:00)

24-25 June 2024 (Da Nang, Vietnam )

The EPWG Workshop on Strengthening Early Warning Early Action for the Vulnerable Communities in APEC took place in Da Nang, Vietnam, on 24-25 June 2024. The workshop aimed to share professional and technical information in natural disaster risk management among APEC economies and was attended by some thirty experts from the APEC region. It was organised by Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is Vietnam's focal point in the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG).

ADRC Research Director KODAMA Miki and Senior Researcher SHIOMI Yumi participated in the event. In Session 3 (Best Practices and Lessons Learned), Ms SHIOMI made a presentation entitled Utilisation of State of Art Communication Technologies for CBDRM and Emergency Management. Through the workshop, participants actively shared their lessons learned and views on Early Warning and Early Action for the vulnerable communities.

(2024/07/02 15:00)

10 June 2024 (online)

On 10 June 2024, an online meeting was held for the United Nations Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) Regional Support Office (RSO). UN-SPIDER is a multilateral platform promoted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to facilitate the use of space-based technologies in disaster risk reduction and emergency response. UNOOSA is the UN agency responsible for space-related policies, and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. (The RSO supports the UN-SPIDER program at a regional level. ADRC has been active as an RSO since signing a cooperation agreement with UNOOSA on 4 June 2009, at the 52nd session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).)

At the 10 June meeting, ADRC Project Director SUZUKI Koji explained the progress of a project for use of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) in disaster risk reduction. QZSS is a system that the National Space Policy Secretariat, Cabinet Office of Japan, is considering deploying in cooperation with nine countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The project technology uses QZSS (known as Michibiki in Japan), a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) developed and operated by the Japanese government, to transmit disaster-related information. This advanced technology can provide disaster-related information even in areas where regular communication infrastructure is lacking or is disrupted due to disaster. In Japan, partial operation began in 2018. The feasibility for general implementation of the technology in the Asia-Pacific region is being evaluated through surveys and by taking prototype receivers to the region to conduct demonstrations.

At the start of the meeting, UN-SPIDER explained that, until now, efforts to utilise space-based technologies for disaster risk reduction on the UN-SPIDER platform have been related to optical satellites and SAR satellites, and therefore use of GNSS (QZSS) technology for disaster risk reduction is very unique.

(2024/06/17 15:00)

20 May - 12 July 2024

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program course entitled "Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reducion for Central and South American Countries JFY2024," from 20 May to 12 July 2024 in cooperation with JICA Kansai.

It was attended by 14 participants from 12 Central and South American countries: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru.

The program consisted of 4 weeks of online and 4 weeks of face-to-face lectures and exercises to learn about Japanese experiences and technologies in disaster risk reduction. It also included site visits in Hyogo, Tokyo and Iwate Prefectures to observe various countermeasures including sediment-related disaster countermeasures at the Nigawa Landslide Museum and flood control measures at Kitakami River in Ichinoseki City. At the end of the course, the participants developed a draft local plan for DRR in their own countries through an 8-step workshop. After returning to their respective countries, they are expected to actively engage in DRR measures to reduce humanitarian and economic losses due to disasters.

ADRC would like to express its sincerest gratitude to all the organisations and universities that contributed to the success of this course.

(2027/07/19 15:00)

9 May 2024 (Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei)

The 7th ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) + Japan Meeting was held on 9 May 2024 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. As a part of the program, Mr SASAHARA Akio, Executive Director of ADRC, gave presentations on the final outcome of two projects: "Promotion of Database Linkage and Capacity Enhancement through Utilisation of GLIDE" and "Pilot Project on Utilisation of State-of-the-Art Communication Technologies for CBDRM and Disaster Emergency Management," which were implemented to promote the "ASEAN-Japan Work Plan on Disaster Management 2021-2025." Regarding the CBDRM activities, the delegates from Malaysia, the target country of the project, expressed their gratitude for its successful completion. Additionally, proposals for the intended next phase of these projects were explained. In the meeting, there were also reports on the progress of various activities of the ASEAN-Japan Disaster Risk Reduction Action Plan. Furthermore, ADRC participated in a field visit held on the last day, which facilitated interaction among the meeting participants.

<Side Meetings with Representatives of Member Countries and Relevant Organisations>
As Brunei, the host country of the ACDM + Japan Meeting, officially became a member of ADRC on 1 May 2024, a meeting was held with the Director of Brunei's National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) to discuss future cooperation activities. We also had meetings with representatives from Malaysia, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the AHA Centre.

(2024/05/16 15:00)

1 May 2024

In response to an application from Brunei Darussalam to become a member, Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) has welcomed them as the 33rd ADRC member country as of 1 May 2024. ADRC anticipates that the active participation of Brunei Darussalam will further enhance ADRC's activities.

(2024/05/08 15:00)

14-15 March 2024 (Noto Peninsula,Japan)

Following the Noto Peninsula earthquake on 1 January 2024, Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) had been reporting in English on the overview of the earthquake and summarizing the official information released by the national and local governments on the damages and responses (https://www.adrc.asia/publications/disaster_report/index.php). The report was kept updated until the end of February.

On 14-15 March 2024, two and a half months after the earthquake, ADRC researchers and visiting researchers from some of our Member countries visited the Noto Peninsula to inspect the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami, and reviewed the ongoing reconstruction activities while pointing out the challenges. Road restoration work, which is key to facilitate evacuation, rescue, relief efforts, and restoration assistance, was underway, primarily on the "Noto-satoyama Kaido" that serves as arterial road. There were many areas where the road was damaged by landslides, mainly in mountainous areas, and only one lane was being temporarily restored to allow traffic. Road surfaces were damaged in many places and hillsides and mountainsides were only temporarily restored by piling up sandbags. This means that full restoration is still expected to take a considerable amount of time. We could also observe that police forces from prefectures of other regions such as Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku, and Hokkaido were providing traffic control and other support activities.

Many traditional wooden houses collapsed in the affected central area, including Wajima and Suzu cities. Although the visiting researchers are not familiar with the Japanese architectural style of wooden houses with tiled roofs, they could tell that the heavy tiled roofs caused much of the damage. They discussed their opinions for promoting measures to strengthen the earthquake resistance of such traditional houses.

In Wajima City, the participants observed the Asaichi Street, where a fire spread and a seven-story building collapsed nearby. We are confronting many issues, such as disaster reduction measures in areas where wooden houses are densely built and firefighting measures in the event of an earthquake and tsunami. In view of this, foreign visiting researchers compared the buildings and urban development in other countries, such as comparing the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in India and the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake in Japan.

In many areas where liquefaction had occurred, manholes were raised and utility poles were tilted. Even in Uchinada Town, which is located more than 100 km away from the epicentre, many houses were found to be tilted.

The participants also observed the fishing port in Wajima City, which was rendered unusable due to ground upheaval, and the tsunami damage in Suzu City. Furthermore, they observed the recovery support activities, such as the use of "Emergency Safety Evaluation" sheet (green, yellow, and red) to assess the emergency danger level of houses, water supply trucks, kitchen cars, emergency medical cars, and temporary housing construction, to gain knowledge on future DRR measures in different countries.

(2024/03/22 15:00)

26-28 November 2012 (Belgrade, Serbia) 

Over 40 officials from government ministries, municipal governments, United Nations organizations, and training institute participated in the Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning on 26-28 November 2012 at Zira Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Interior Sector for Emergency Management of Serbia, UNDP Serbia, UNISDR, European Commission (EC), and IRP/ADRC.

The workshop was a follow-up event to the Training on Resilient Recovery conducted in April 2011 by the same organizers. As envisioned in the follow-up event, experts from the National Training Institute of Serbia served as co-facilitators of the workshop - specifically on two sectors considered in long-term recovery: infrastructure and climate change adaptation. The workshop also provided the venue for experts and practitioners in Serbia to discuss the challenges that are commonly encountered in recovery and to explore measures to overcome them.

The outcomes of the workshop included: (i) consolidated strategic recommendations for disaster recovery plans for national and municipal governments in Serbia; (ii) agreement by the National Training Institute of Serbia to adopt the workshop module on Disaster Recovery Planning from IRP/ADRC, and to enhance the capacity of all concerned government ministries and municipal governments; and (iii) discussions between IRP/ADRC and UNDP Serbia for a potential partnership in implementing the proposed plan for establishing a "Resource Center for DRR" at Nis, Serbia to cater the needs of stakeholders not only in Serbia but for the entire Balkan region.

29-31 October 2012 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

The workshop on disaster recovery planning was held at Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, 29-31 October 2012. It was jointly organized by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), UNDP Indonesia, UNISDR for Asia and the Pacific, European Commission (EC), and IRP/ADRC. The workshop was designed to support the initiatives of the Government of Indonesia for better disaster recovery operations, specifically at strengthening the manuals on Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Monitoring of Recovery Projects that were developed by the national government. The role of IRP/ADRC experts at the workshop was to provide technical assistance through sharing of lessons from global experiences.

Dr. Syamsul Maarif (Head of BNPB) and Mr. Bambang (Deputy for Reconstruction and Recovery of BNPB) are among the over 35 officials who actively participated in the workshop. At the end of the event, participants outlined key recommendations for recovery planning, including review of spatial planning blueprint and localization of revised manuals on PDNA and Monitoring of Recovery Projects.

To forward the recommendations from the participants, discussions between IRP/ADRC, AHA Centre, ASEAN Secretariat, and AusAID were facilitated.  One of the key follow up activities is to strengthen regional partnerships to further enrich knowledge of integrating disaster recovery planning into their national DRR plans and other planning instruments.

(2012/11/20 14:40)

13-14 December 2011 (Brunei)

ADRC has been implementing web-based GLIDE-associated disaster database development project in ASEAN countries since 2008 with the financial support by Japan ASEAN Integration Fund. The objective of this project is to facilitate all ASEAN countries to develop their own national disaster databases with GLIDE numbers incorporated by training government officials in charge of disaster information in ASEAN countries.

ADRC held operator training for both GLIDE and DesInventar with kind support from National Disaster Management Center (NCDM) and UNISDR at Brunei University.

About 25 government officials from related departments participated in the training and actively exchanged views and opinions for future enhancement of the systems in Brunei.

7-8 November 2011 (Taipei, Taiwan)

 The 2011 International Workshop on Emergency Management was organized by the Ministry of Interior, Government of Taiwan from 7 to 8 November 2011 in Taipei city.

　Ten government officials and specialists on Disaster Emergency Management, including a ADRC's researcher, were invited to the workshop to make presentations and　speeches.　The ADRC explained the importance of business continuity plan (BCP)　in the private sector for the regional resilience while other speakers presented case study on the response and recovery phase of large scale disasters both man-made and natural.

　　About 200 officials, experts participated in the workshop and actively exchanged views and opinions among them, demonstrating their strong interests in disaster risk management.

(2011/11/09 11:30)

27-29 June 2011 (Bangkok, Thailand)

The Expert Group Meeting on Regional Knowledge and Cooperation for Comprehensive Multi-Hazard risk Management in Asia and the Pacific was organized by the United National Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) from 27 to 29 June 2011 at the United national Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.　The Meeting　was　attended　by　experts　from　many　countries　as　well　as　experts　from　intergovernmental　and　international organizations. Invited by the ESCAP, ADRC also participated in the Meeting.

The Meeting addressed: a) Asia Pacific Gateway on Disaster Risk Reduction and Development; b) Data for Disaster Risk Reduction and Assessment; c) Regional Cooperative Mechanism on Disaster Monitoring and Early Warning, Particularly Drought, and; d) Asia Pacific Disaster Report. Experts discussed in details relevant issues and needs and necessary actions. ADRC stressed the importance of compilation of disaster data, the used of GLIDE (Global Unique Disaster Identifier), sharing of experiences and lessons regarding to specific disasters such as the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.

Following the above Expert Group Meeting, the UNESCAP Committee was convened from 29 June to 1 July and ADRC also participated in the Committee meeting as an observer. During discussion, a number of countries made mention about ADRC as being relevant to regional cooperation for disaster risk reduction. By showing gratitude to continued cooperation with those countries, ADRC expressed wish to continue to cooperate with them through its activities.

(2011/07/04 13:10)

26 May-4 Jun, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted the program "Capacity Building of Utilization of Satellite Image for Disaster Management" in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 26th May to 4th Jun, in cooperation with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
This program consists of one-day seminar and five- day training to promote the utilization of space based technology. It was held in collaboration with Remote Sensing Center, Survey Department, Brunei Darussalam.
This is one of four capacity development programs in ASEAN countries that ADRC has been implementing since 2008, with other three including disaster education promotion, development of Web-based GLIDE-associated disaster database and capacity building of local government officials.
Satellite Images has been utilized to implement emergency activities in Brunei Darussalam.
However, the experience of the engineers for utilization of the satellite data in Brunei Darussalam is insufficient. The capacity building of engineers in relevant field is in urgent need.
The theme of case study is Flood. The satellite images before and after the flood were compared, which defined the flooding area.
ADRC will continue to cooperate with Survey Department, Brunei Darussalam and other relevant agencies to further promote the utilization of satellite data in the field of disaster management. ADRC also plans to conduct the series of program in other ASEAN countries.
For more details of this project, please visit ADRC web site (http://www.adrc.asia/top_j.php).

2011/6/2 13;20

6th October 2010 (Yangon, Myanmar)

ADRC has been implementing web-based GLIDE-associated disaster database development project in ASEAN countries since 2008 with the financial support by Japan ASEAN Integration Fund. The objective of this project is to facilitate all ASEAN countries to develop their own national disaster databases with GLIDE numbers incorporated by training the invited government officials in charge of disaster information in ASEAN countries at ADRC. In 2010 the training program is scheduled for Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar, ADRC held kick-off meeting with Relief and Resettlement Department Myanmar on 6th October and agreed to cooperate with the GLIDE-associated disaster database development project.（2010/10/7 11:30）

11-20 August, Bangkok, Thailand
27 August-3 September, Manila, Philippines
10-17 September, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) conducted the program "Capacity Building of Utilization of Satellite Image for Disaster Management" in Bangkok, Thailand from 11th to 20th Aug, Manila, Philippines from 27th Aug to 3rd Sep, and Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from 10th to 17th Sep in cooperation with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
This program consists of one-day seminar and five- day training, both to promote the utilization of space based technology. It was held in collaboration with Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Thailand, Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Government of Myanmar, respectively.
This is one of the four capacity development programs in ASEAN countries that ADRC has been implementing since 2008, with other three including disaster education promotion, development of Web-based GLIDE-associated disaster database and capacity building of local government officials.
Satellite Images has been utilized to implement emergency activities in Thailand, Philippines and Myanmar. However, the experience of the engineers for utilization of the satellite data in these countries is insufficient. The capacity building of engineers in relevant fields is an urgent need.
ADRC will continue to cooperate with GISTDA, PHIVOLCS, MOST and other relevant agencies to further promote the utilization of satellite data in the field of disaster management. ADRC also plans to conduct this program in other ASEAN countries.
For more details of this project, please visit ADRC web site (http://www.adrc.asia/top_j.php).

(2010/10/06 13:20)

17-18 June 2010 (Bangkok, Thailand)

The ADRC participated in the "Orientation Training on the Use of DRR Project Portal" developed under the IAP initiative on Regional Stocktaking and Mapping of DRR interventions, held in Bangkok, Thailand on 17-18 June 2010. The training was organized by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in partnership with UNISDR and with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Approximately 30 officers from IAP members and other organizations in Asia and the Pacific joined the training.

In the training, participants learnt about the DRR Project Portal, including its usage, and also discussed on possible ways to increase the use of the DRR Project Portal and challenges in updating information. This portal is expected to contribute to promoting coordination and collaboration among DRR practitioners in Asia and the Pacific, avoiding duplications of activities, and better planning and programming in Asia and the Pacific.

The ADRC would like to provide support to the portal and contribute to further promoting it among DRR practitioners in Asia and the Pacific.

 
(2010/06/30 16:50)

8 March 2010 (Bangkok, Thailand)

The new web system that been produced as part of Sentinel Asia Step 2 for the last two years will start its operation from April 2010.
The Sentinel Asia Secretariat, ADRC and other relevant agencies held a meeting at Geo-informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, GISTDA, in Bangkok, Thailand, to share information on the new web system.
The new web site is located at; 
https://sentinel.tksc.jaxa.jp

(2010/03/30 13:20)