JICA’s Commitment to Strengthening Disaster Risk Management through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV)
At JICA, they are dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing living standards by supporting vital sectors like disaster risk management, environmental conservation, and waste management. A key focus of their efforts is to build resilience against disasters, preparing them for a safer and more secure future.
One standout example of this commitment is their ongoing collaboration with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) in the Solomon Islands through the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) program. This partnership highlights the powerful impact of sharing knowledge and expertise to address disaster-related challenges.
A true embodiment of this spirit is Mr. Atsumu Nakata, a JOCV currently working for NDMO. Mr. Nakata brings decades of invaluable experience in disaster risk management from his career in Kobe, Japan, where he held various roles in emergency response and preparedness. His mission is to introduce Japanese systems and experience in disaster management to the Solomon Islands as a comparative practice for improving Solomon Islands’ own systems suitable to local conditions. . Through workshops, internal meetings, and live disaster response drills, he’s passing on vital knowledge—drawing from his own experience as a firefighter in Japan.
But their efforts go beyond just sending volunteers. JICA also empowers local officials through its Knowledge Co-Creation Programs (KCCP), which bring Solomon Islands government employees to Japan for intensive training.
These exchanges allow NDMO staff to experience Japan’s advanced disaster response systems firsthand, equipping them with cutting-edge skills and strategies. Since the program’s inception, all NDMO officers have participated, and one continues their training in Japan, further strengthening the resilience of the Solomon Islands.
Through these collaborative efforts, JICA remains steadfast in its mission of assisting nations like the Solomon Islands in building stronger, disaster-resilient communities, ensuring a safer future for generations to come.
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-JICA SI edited by iumi stori
