The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami Lessons learnt and recommendations for developing countries

1. The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami Lessons learnt and recommendations for developing countries January, 24 2013 | 10:00 AM EST Speaker: Federica Ranghieri Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank Institute

2. The Knowledge Notes Learning from Megadisasters, is a knowledge-sharing project sponsored by the World Bank and the government of Japan. It is collecting and analyzing information, data, and evaluations performed by academic institutions, NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector with the objective of sharing Japan’s knowledge on disaster risk management (DRM) and post-disaster reconstruction with countries vulnerable to disasters.

3. Summary of findings and lessons

4. Japan had not foreseen an event like this • It was a high-impact event with a low probability of occurrence, and a highly complex phenomenon, the effects of which cascaded to sensitive facilities. • Direct damage to major Japanese industries rocketed through supply chains around the world.

5. Japan had not foreseen an event like this

6. Japan had not foreseen an event like this • In coping with the GEJE, Japan’s advanced DRM system, built up during nearly 2,000 years of coping with natural risks and hazards, proved its worth. • The loss of life and property could have been far greater if the country’s policies and practices had been less effective.

7. Lessons learnt – what worked • Investments in structural measures, cutting-edge risk assessments, early-warning systems, and hazard mapping; • A culture of preparedness, where training and evacuation drills are systematically practiced at the local and community levels and in schools and workplaces; • Insurance, as well as financial and fiscal measures;

8. Lessons learnt – what worked • Stakeholder involvement, where the national and local government, communities, NGOs, and the private sector all know their role; • Effective legislation, regulation, and enforcement; • The use of sophisticated instrumentation to underpin planning and assessment operations.

9. Lessons learnt – what worked less well • Spreading a better understanding of the nature and limitations of risk assessmentamong local authorities and the population at large; • Coordination mechanisms on the ground should be agreed on before the fact; • Vulnerable groups must be not only protected but also engaged.

10. Sharing experiences with others • Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Japan’s response to GEJE; • A set of key messages that can be recommended to countries, cities and communities vulnerable to disasters; What messages? And how?

11. Key messages • Extreme disasters underscore the need for a holistic approach to DRM; • Preventive Investments pay, but be prepared for the unexpected; • DRM is everyone’s business: communities play a key role;

12. Key messages • Assessing risks and communicating them clearly helps citizens make timely decisions to protect themselves; • Hazard maps can give the public a false sense of safety, if not properly communicated; • Better management of information and communication is crucial in emergencies and recovery operations;

13. Key messages • Coordination mechanisms must be developed and tested in normal times, so that they are ready for use in an emergency; • Vulnerable groups must be protected and engaged; • Learning from disaster is key, as Japan has shown for the past 2,000 years.

14. Sharing experiences with others • Set of 32 Knowledge Notes grouped into six thematic clusters; • A Capacity development program, which includes: • A community of practice: https://collaboration.worldbank.org/groups/login.jspa • A searchable set of online material, blended learning and Face to face capacity building program in selected countries; • GDLN sessions and webinars; • In depth Capacity Development program in pilot countries: Indonesia, Kenya, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, etc.

15. Thank you http://wbi.worldbank.org/wbi/megadisasters https://collaboration.worldbank.org/groups/login.jspa