Role of International NGO in an Unprecedented Disaster in Japan

Abstract

Devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, and consequent nuclear accident in Fukushima posed unprecedented challenge for Japan. International NGOs (INGOs), including CWS-Asia/Pacific, has set-up relief and recovery programs in Japan. Utilizing this 3 year experience in operating as INGO in Japan, the chapter summarizes challenges Japanese NGOs faced, strength of Japanese NGOs, and challenges and lessons for future operations from INGO perspective. Understanding Japanese working culture, specific challenges of Japanese NGOs, and specific cultural uniqueness of Tohoku region in Japan are pre-conditions for INGOs to operate effectively, and such understanding should be based on the right attitude in partnership that reduces weakness and enhances strength. By doing so, INGOs become enablers for Japanese NGOs, and a true global partner. The chapter also introduces some operational lessons CWS-Asia/Pacific has learnt through its relief and recovery program for survivors of quadruple disaster in Japan in 2011. These lessons include the need to engage with local NGOs, adhering to quality and accountability, the importance of contextualization of Sphere Standard and HAP, the importance of volunteers’ role and psychosocial care of the survivors, identifying lapses in Japan’s disaster preparedness measures, importance of investment in disaster risk reduction, the need to meet psychological need of aid workers, division of communities with invisible threat of radiation in Fukushima, varying information on radiation safety, and awareness playing a key role in integrating children evacuation program into school curriculum.