THE government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) extended a total of $1.37 million in assistance to areas affected by Typhoon Ruby.
The amount consists of a ¥22 million, or $187,106.65 worth of assistance for Samar and ¥139 million or $1.18 million worth for the Bicol region. “We would like to express our sympathy to those affected by the recent typhoon, and pledge our assistance to those in need in disaster areas. As the Philippines’s neighbor and development partner for many years, we offer our support in the typhoon-recovery efforts,” Jica Philippines Chief Representative Noriaki Niwa said.
“We laud the Philippine government’s proactive measures, including the early evacuations. Like the Philippines, Japan is prone to natural disasters. The Typhoon Ruby experience shows us that prevention pays, and that we should redouble our efforts in investing in disaster-risk management to protect the vulnerable sectors, particularly the poor living in disaster-prone areas,” Niwa added.
Japan’s emergency relief to Samar included the provision of blankets, sleeping pads, plastic sheets, water purifiers and collapsible water containers. The funds extended to the Bicol region consisted of shelter assistance to six towns in the province of Albay.
Jica said the country’s disaster coordination measures in the US National Disaster Reduction Plan (NDRP) helped minimize the damage and impact of Ruby.
Jica said NDRP was a blueprint that identified the tasks and responsibilities of government clusters and the private sector worked effectively in minimizing the typhoon’s casualties.
The NDRP is an outcome of an ongoing ¥370 million, or $3.15 million worth of technical cooperation project, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management-Capacity Enhancement Project (DRRM-CEP), of the Office of the Civil Defense and Jica.
Under the DRRM-CEP, a template for disaster response to hydro-meteorological hazards, had been developed in 2013. The project is also about to finish NDRP for earthquake and tsunami disasters.
The project began in 2012 to share Japanese expertise in DRRM and in developing a national disaster-response plan for a timely, effective and coordinated response to hazards caused by natural disasters.
The exercises identifying the focal person for disaster response, and communication protocols during a recent NDRP meeting was effectively applied in the recent government preparations for the typhoon.