Activities in Iran

Capacity Building for Earthquake Risk Reduction and Disaster Management in Tehran

Background and Objectives

Commencement of the Project: March 2012
Duration of the Project: 3 years
Counterpart (CP) Organization: Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization

Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is located in the world's most active seismic belt, which is thought to produce a severe earthquake in 150 years.

Against such background, significant urbanization has been implementing in Tehran while necessary measures against the big-scale earthquake had not been taking. It is estimated that this earthquake will be the most severe on record, if only the proper disaster prevention system is not established.

Under this circumstance, the Project supports 1) to upgrade the emergency road network and its strategy (road disaster prevention), 2) enhancement of citizen's awareness (community-based disaster prevention) and 3) to improve the early warning system (includes Quick Damage and Loss Estimation (QD&LE) system) to strengthen the disaster prevention strategy in Tehran.

Outline of the Project

The Project aims to improve the capabilities of TDMMO in regard to 1) road management against earthquake disaster, 2) community-based disaster management against earthquake disaster, and 3) early warning system including the QD&LE system which was installed in the previous project.

Highlights

JICA has been supporting disaster management sector and TDMMO by implementation of projects on "The Study on Seismic Micro-zoning of the Greater Tehran" (1998-2000), "The Comprehensive Master Plan Study on Urban Seismic Disaster Prevention and Management for the Greater Tehran Area" (2002-2004), and "The Project on the Establishment of Emergency Response Plan for the First 72 Hours after an Earthquake" (2007-2010).

Tehran Municipality has recognized the seriousness of damages by earthquakes; hence, Tehran Municipality enhances the disaster reduction activities through TDMMO.

Quick Damage and Loss Estimation (QD& LE) system was introduced to TDMMO as early warning system, and Emergency Commanding Headquarters were established in TDMMO's compound. The framework of operational structure under the emergency situation and facility were developed at the moment.

The Project develops the emergency road map plan and bridges earthquake-resistant engineering plan to secure the emergency road for fire engines, ambulances and delivery of emergency aid goods after receiving warnings from QD&LE system which delivers the signal right after the earthquake occurs.

Furthermore, Tehran Municipality enhances public participations to the community-based disaster prevention activities and promotes their awareness through the implementation of evacuation simulation training, designing of evacuation maps, exhibiting in disaster prevention museum and enhancement of disaster prevention education.