Water Resources and Disaster Management

JICA launched its basic policies for cooperation in the water sector at the 3rd World Water Forum held in 2003 and reported on its global initiatives related to water issues at the 4th World Water Forum in 2006, the First Asia-Pacific Water Summit in 2007 and the 5th World Water Forum in 2009. JICA also implements programs aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals and realizing the pledges made at the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV). Through the construction of water supply facilities via Grant Aid, JICA increased the number of people with access to safe drinking water by roughly 27 million worldwide between 2004 and 2008.

It is essential to identify the state of water resources in a particular country or region and provide support that meets local needs.

(1) Promotion of Integrated Water Resource Management

JICA emphasizes integrated water resource management to tackle water-related issues concerning flood control, water utilization and water environment. Specifically, JICA supports the formulation of integrated water resource management plans for the entire watershed, the development of systems for the collection and analysis of water resource related information and the establishment of watershed management systems.

(2) Urban Water Supply

JICA supports the formulation of plans for water facilities, the operation and maintenance of water supply facilities to ensure efficient management of water supply entities, and capacity development related to non-revenue water and the establishment of water tariff collection systems.

(3) Rural Water Supply

JICA assists hydro-geological studies for well construction, the formulation of development plans for wells and other facilities, enhancement of maintenance and management systems in existing water supply facilities, and improvement of sanitation in rural areas.

(4) Flood Control

JICA supports the implementation of balanced flood control measures for the entire watershed, from upstream to downstream. This entails a multifaceted approach combining both structural and non-structural aspects. Projects include formulating plans to develop facilities and strengthening community organizations for flood prevention, and setting up flood-warning systems.

(5) Conservation of Water Environment

From the standpoint of integrated water resource management for the effective use of limited water resources and the promotion of sustainable development, JICA provides support for strengthening systems to conserve the water environment through a range of activities that include formulating environmental standards, monitoring, controlling sources of pollution and awareness-raising activities.

Based on a disaster management cycle (DMC), which entails emergency response, recovery and reconstruction, and prevention and mitigation activities, JICA leverages its experience to provide assistance in the following areas.

(1) Efforts toward a Safe and Secure Society

The risk of natural disasters is increasing in developing countries. JICA makes use of Japan's leading technical capabilities in disaster prevention to evaluate risk in developing countries, propose measures to mitigate existing risk and preventive measures for new risks so that people can live with peace-of-mind.

(2) Supporting the Formulation of Integrated Disaster Management Plans

JICA supports the creation of integrated Disaster Management plans and action plans that include identifying disaster-related hazards and risks, improving the disaster management systems and capabilities of administrative institutions, establishing the relevant legal framework, enhancing awareness and strengthening response.

(3) Support from the Viewpoint of Human Security through Community-Based Disaster Risk Management

Japan's experience has highlighted the importance of "self-help" and "mutual-help" in addition to "public-help." Community-based measures are key in developing countries where the disaster management capabilities of administrative institutions remain insufficient. JICA therefore directs assistance toward strengthening such capabilities among communities and individuals, as well as linking these groups with public organizations.