Asia, East

Mitigation, Preparedness, and Relief Efforts

The countries of East Asia all have centralized emergency management agencies, but rely on them to varying extents. China began establishing a modern national emergency management system after the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) disease outbreak of 2003. China's Ministry of Civil Affairs maintains its National Disaster Reduction Center (NDRC) to provide information and technical support on disasters and relief efforts. The government also maintains the National Civil Defense and the Emergency Management Office, which was established in 2005. Chinese modernization efforts were enhanced by the 2007 passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Emergency Response. There are also various agencies devoted to specific risks, as well as local government emergency management offices. A national code of emergency levels designates appropriate response. The military responds in large-scale disasters.

Like China, South Korea has recently organized a comprehensive nationwide emergency management system. Prior to 2004, the government managed disasters and risks through individual legislation and multiple agencies. In 2004, the government passed the Emergency and Safety Management Basic Act and established the National Emergency Management Agency of Korea under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. Its role is subdivided into prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, with most attention and funding devoted to the recovery phase. There is little support for voluntary and community organizations or businesses.

Japan's national emergency management system lacks sufficient authority to control disaster relief, which is handled by various agencies and legislative acts created in response to specific risks and disasters, rather than one unified agency designed to respond to a wide variety of disasters. The primary emergency management responsibility lies with local village, city, and prefecture governments. Japan's emphasis is on hazard mitigation, technology, and nationwide monitoring systems. The Japanese government is working with private businesses and insurance systems in disaster prevention and relief.

Eastern Asian countries also participate in several regional governmental organizations to further the region's disaster mitigation, preparedness, and relief capabilities. One key organization, the East Asia Forum, was established by China, Japan, and South Korea as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand. The East Asia Forum works closely with the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), representing Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The Forum and ASEAN created standard operational procedures as well as recommendations on political, economic, humanitarian, and climate change issues. Various local, national, and international nongovernmental organizations also operate in the region.

The East Asian region faces several challenges in improving emergency management. Although the region's nations have implemented national systems, they have varying degrees of authority, which weaken their effectiveness. There are also emphases on one aspect of the emergency management system at the expense of others. In Japan, mitigation and early warning systems are prioritized, while Koreans emphasize relief and recovery. South Korea emphasizes fire and flood, with typhoons at the expense of other types of threats. Other challenges in China include the large population; the growing percentage of elderly, who are more vulnerable in disasters; and the lack of sufficient numbers of trained first responders. Other challenges in Korea include the traditional view of disaster as part of one's destiny, which hinders mitigation and preparedness efforts, and the unpopularity of volunteerism. A final challenge is the psychological impact of determining responsibility for disasters, which has led some to commit suicide.

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