RUTGERS MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2009
Delegation: Japan
Committee: Special Political and Decolonization
Topic: International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Delegates: Aneesha Cheedalla and Ankita Tripathi
EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL
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In 2008, 220,000 people died in the world because of natural disasters alone (“Huge Year
for Natural Disasters” 1). Natural disasters present an increased danger on social and economic
growth, the world’s supply of natural resources, and the global population. Measures must be
taken to reduce the effects of natural disasters and prepare the people. Disaster risk reduction
(DRR) strategies must be implemented through investments that aim to reduce the effects of
natural disasters. The countries that suffer the most are the ones with inefficient or nonexistent
preparation strategies. High casualties occur through urbanization, inefficient detection, and
disorganized country preparedness (Alexander 23). Japan strongly feels that the amount of
people affected by natural disasters can be reduced if countries improve their infrastructure,
allow disaster information to be accessible globally, and create an affective relief plan.
Natural disasters present an imminent danger to the world and have affected the lives of
many individuals. Earthquakes and cyclones have been an ongoing crisis for mankind (Bryant
23). Tropical cyclones/hurricanes are by far the most dangerous natural disaster: from the years
1960-1987, the number of the deaths caused by hurricanes totaled 662,360, overshooting any
other type of disaster (Bryant 23). Improper land use and weak infrastructure often increases the
effects of disasters (Davenport 14). For example, Hurricane Gilbert struck Jamaica in 1988 and
was dubbed the “hurricane of the century” (Davenport 14) and destroyed the roofs of numerous
buildings, government allocated shelters, schools, hospitals, and churches (15). The after effects
of the hurricane include damage to electricity, water utilities, and crops (17). Earthquakes are
another major source of disaster around the world, killing over 10,000 people per year and
causing $400 million dollars in property damages worldwide (Davenport 14). Due to climate
change, floods are increasing in frequency, resulting in 5.3 billion dollars of damages (“Floods”
1). An example of a recent flood occurred in southern India on October 5, 2009, killing 240
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people, ruining crops and livestock (“240 Die in India” 1). Natural disasters themselves are not
the only problem. Countries are not prepared for them, lacking the utilities to reduce the damages
that they cause (Davenport 17). Plans are not created effectively and do not accommodate for all
the aspects involved in preparing for a disaster. Clearly posing a problem, natural disasters such
as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, must be detected and prepared for in order to save lives.
Japan has been consistently affected by earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, and tropical
cyclones, to name a few (Bryant 199). In fact, there are now seventy-seven active volcanoes
presiding on Japanese soil, which is 10% of all active volcanoes (“Japan and its Nature” 1). In
1995, the Great Hanshin earthquake, also known as the Kobe earthquake, caused immense
amounts of damage including collapsed buildings, highways, and pipe damage which led to
numerous fires (“Kobe 1995” 1). From this earthquake, Japan has realized that preparedness is
key to alleviating the results of disasters. Today, Japan is improving on its methods for disaster
preparedness and relief on both national and global levels.
Japan has been a leader in the area of international disaster relief. In 1987, Japan started
the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) (“A Brief History” 1). This organization provides assistance
through “rescue teams, medical teams, and…provides emergency supplies” such as blankets,
clothes, shelters, and other necessities (“Emergency Disaster Relief” 1). JDR has been active in
countries stricken by natural disasters, since the 1970s when it dispatched its medical teams to
aid refugees in Cambodia (“A Brief History” 1). In 2003, Japan’s government donated 2.7
trillion yen to relief and, presently spends about 5% of its yearly budget for disaster aid
(“National Report on Japan” 3). The government has also promoted relief internationally by
providing financial aid, such as emergency loans, items, and grants to the entire world allowing
countries to recuperate from the damages of the disasters (“Reconstruction projects” 1). It has
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implemented shelters in Bangladesh for cyclone evacuation, with an average area for up to 2,000
people (1). These shelters are “multipurpose facilities, which, in ordinary times, can be used as
elementary school buildings” (1). Not only has Japan provided relief aid globally, but has
established many organizations for national relations. After the Kobe Earthquake, Kenzo
Oshima, UN Under Secretary-General created the UN Asian Office to monitor earthquakes,
detecting them in time to prepare crucial amenities such as food, water, and shelters (“When
Disaster Strikes” 1). Japan, through past experience, understands that there is a need for more
disaster relief and aids it in numerous including creating shelters, providing utilities, and through
specialized organizations.
Communication and alert systems are the main ways of notifying people of impending
natural disasters. For developing nations that do not have their own disaster monitoring
technology, the UN can create an information-sharing database to watch occurring natural
disasters. The data can come from radars and satellites all over the world, such as weather and
Doppler radars (“National Doppler Radar” 1). Research centers can produce information in the
form of graphs, charts, and maps. This can be communicated to other countries as seismic
readings and hurricane statistics accessible internationally. Through the database, countries will
be able to quickly receive notifications on upcoming problems by checking on this database, and
alerts can be issued through the television and radio or other existing communications. The
database can also send instructions to regions predicted to be hit by a disaster on what to do to
prepare for the disaster. This will allow for quick preparedness and evacuation. If most people
follow these instructions, the harm that comes from ineffective planning can be greatly reduced
because the people will be informed on how to prepare themselves and their belongings for a
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disaster. Japan believes that the effects of natural disasters will greatly decrease if countries are
aware of disasters and their people are more prepared for them.
A leading cause of damage during disasters is the lack of proper infrastructure. Buildings
that are not well built topple down and result in the loss of homes, schools, offices, and
government organizations that run disaster relief. The main problems in Hurricane Gilbert were
the collapsing of government allocated shelters and the destruction of vital communication
centers to other countries. Japan has also learned that crucial infrastructure such as water storage
and gas pipelines must be protected to provide the people with necessities after a disaster strikes.
SPECPOL should suggest researching cheap ways to create infrastructure that withstands natural
disasters. The research can be presented to the United Nations, and countries can choose to
implement the new technology in their nations. Less developed countries that usually cannot
afford expensive seismic and wind proof architecture will then have the option of constructing
cheap, yet effective buildings. Sustainable development is key in creating a disaster-proof
society. Countries can mandate that any new buildings constructed should have the new
disaster-proof technology. Older buildings that already exist do not have to be torn down,
because they all eventually are rebuilt with these standards. Instead of destroying every
important building and reconstructing it to withstand disasters, the government can construct
new buildings with this technology, eventually creating a disaster-proof region. Japan suggests
that the most effective way to protect the people is to research a cheap and durable method to
construct disaster proof infrastructure.
Better preparedness will allow countries to recuperate much faster after a disaster. In
order to provide immediate relief, the UN can develop a written plan for each type of disaster.
This will allow all the aspects of disaster relief to coordinate together so that each has a specific
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role and will prevent confusion or miscommunication. For example, NGOs such as the Red
Cross would provide emergency supplies such as water, communication devices, blankets,
clothes, first aid, and other essential items. Japan suggests that the Logistic Support Unit of the
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs should supply Ready-to-Use
Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) and help provide aid and supplies quickly to the countries in need
(cite). The UN can suggest that countries create health clinic and centers in areas affected the
greatest by disasters to provide aid to those injured in the aftermath of a disaster. For nations that
cannot afford this, wealthy countries affected by disasters could help fund these centers. Japan
thinks that cost efficient shelters can be created by countries which can later be transformed into
other facilities, such as schools or community centers, when they are not needed. Immediate
disaster relief and reaction is imminent to reducing the consequences of a disaster and must be
established by creating a clear and organized plan.
Natural disasters have been a major concern to all generations of mankind but can be
alleviated through better infrastructure, communication, and efficient relief. Environmental
catastrophes such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and volcanoes are some of the
dangers that the world’s population endures on a yearly basis. Japan suffers from many types of
natural causes, and has acted both inside and outside of its borders to promote disaster relief. To
better protect the people, measures must be taken through international cooperation for proper
backup of resources, communication between countries, and improvement in disaster-proof
infrastructure. Japan believes that together, the world’s nations can minimize the effects of
natural disasters.
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