Japan – U.S. – South Korea Disaster Preparedness Initiative

In 2011 PWA launched the Japan-U.S.-South Korea Disaster Preparedness Initiative designed to strengthen disaster preparedness in the Asia-Pacific region. Within the Japan-U.S.-South Korea alliance, the Initiative focused on improving capabilities, coordination/collaboration, and connectivity among the militaries, aid agencies, U.N. agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

Pivotal to strengthening disaster preparedness is the full involvement of the host nations, those struck by natural disasters. Through senior-level policy forums and broadly inclusive workshops, the Initiative brought together disaster responders and host nations to explore how strengthened partnerships can improve the efficacy of humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.

By exploring the stakeholders’ unique capacities, policies/mandates, operating procedures, and response mechanisms, the Initiative strengthened venues for disaster cooperation.

The Initiative comprised two events in 2011: a forum and a workshop, both at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. In 2012, PWA conducted further policy forums in Tokyo and Washington, D.C., another preparedness workshop, and published findings and research generated by the Initiative.