JICA Disaster Risk Reduction Advisor (2017-2020) - Mr. NAGAI Takayuki

JICA has been cooperating with Sri Lankan Government in Disaster Management sector for a long time. In addition to various existing activities in the sector, JICA dispatched Mr. Takayuki NAGAI to the Ministry of Disaster Management (at that time) in 2017, as a Policy Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction and he has completed his three years' assignment in Sri Lanka on 23rd June, 2020.

Mr. Nagai had provided policy advice on strengthening of Disaster Risk Reduction in the public administration based on his extensive experiences and expertise obtained in Japan.

His main outcomes are as follows;

Mr. Nagai contributed to drafting the revised National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). As a result of his suggestion and recommendations, the concept of "Disaster Risk Reduction" has been "more clearly" reflected in the draft of revised NDMP which is in the finalization process. His advice follows "Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030" adopted at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015, in which Japan led discussions. Sendai Framework mainly emphasizes the importance of "Disaster Risk Reduction".

Mr. Nagai also contributed to formulation of the "Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan", which is the first attempt by the Government of Sri Lanka, in selected two pilot areas. Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan is developed by the Local Authorities and Divisional Secretariat Divisions in collaboration with related organizations to plan and implement preventive measures. He had contributed to enhance the awareness of officers in-charge of the pilot areas on importance of Disaster Risk Reduction in their development plans and facilitated to reflect the concept of Disaster Risk Reduction in the draft. In addition, he has drafted a guideline for officers of non-project areas based on accumulating know-hows and lessons learnt from the pilot areas.

Development of Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan is set as a target in "Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030", which Sri Lanka is supposed to follow, and Mr. Nagai's contribution is a resource for further development of Local Disaster Risk Reduction Plan over Sri Lanka.

JICA will continuously work with the Government of Sri Lanka incorporating Mr. Nagai's contributions for further promotion of Disaster Risk Reduction, and realizing preventive investments to reduce disaster risks in the country.