(E) Responses to earthquakes
Cards (8)
- Earthquakes and associated tsunami are common in Japan. Both government and local communities are prepared, drilled, experienced and wealthy enough for rapid and effective response
- Earthquakes in Nepal are not uncommon. Scientists are familiar with the risks, but poverty prevents widespread adoption of new building regulations or effective preparation
- Immediate responses - search, rescue and short-term aid, keeping survivors alive by providing medical care, food, water and shelter
- Immediate responses in Japan, March 2011
- 500,000 people evacuated to higher ground before the tsunami struck
- Japanese and international search and rescue teams worked for days - although there were few survivors
- Key roads and railways repaired within weeks
- Power soon restored but supply intermittent due to the explosions at the Fukushima nuclear power plant
- Immediate responses in Nepal, April 2015
- International search and rescue teams rescued 16 survivors
- World Vision International provided emergency food kits for 8000 people
- Aid included helicopters for search, rescue and supply drops in remote areas, such as Mount Everest
- 300,000 people migrated from Kathmandu to seek shelter and support from family and friends
- Long-term responses - rebuilding and reconstruction, to restore 'normal' life and reduce future risk
- Long-term responses in Japan
- Long-term plan (2012-2022) identifying zones for reconstruction with simpler planning procedures
- Upgraded tsunami warning system launched (2013)
- Seawalls and embarkments constructed
- Most debris cleared and new housing constructed by 2015
- 30,000 new houses replaced temporary homes by 2020
- Long-term responses in Nepal
- New National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (2018) to increase future resilience
- Most roads repaired and landslides cleared by late 2015
- 212,000 new homes constructed by september 2020
- UNESCO is working with the government to restore 700 damaged temples, palaces, and museums