JICA conducts ‘Build Back Better’ seminar on earthquake recovery and reconstruction

Jan 24, 2025 | News | 0

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organised a ‘Build Back Better Recovery & Reconstruction’ seminar yesterday with the government, private sector and development partners at The Melanesian Hotel Conference Room.

The informative seminar, presented by JICA Senior Advisor, Professor Satoru Nishikawa under the Disaster Reduction Strategy is to share an overview of Japan’s experience dealing with earthquakes over the past years and how they have adapted and built better seismic buildings to withstand massive earthquakes.

“Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is a must for city planning,” he said

DRR is the basis for development as it saves people’s lives and livelihoods, it is directly linked to Human Security and Sustainable Development.

DRR can also protect economically and socially the vulnerable populations against the risk of falling into the negative spiral of poverty because of disasters.

“The three basic components of building better seismic structures is to focus on the family sector and business sector, and both must have a shared future vision in order to rebuild back stronger,” the JICA Senior Advisor said.

“Based on that common vision, we can identify what’s needed for the family sector (homes, school, hospitals, etc) and business life (civil workers and businesses) in order to encourage cash inflow to ensure economic recovery.”

Mr. Nishikawa also noted the importance of safeguarding and regulating building codes that includes the seismic designs/building codes to stay safe and resilient during an earthquake.

“In order to save lives and prevent deaths from an earthquake or any disaster, we need to ensure building safety standard codes are met,” he said.

“This is the chance to really decide on how to build better, since now everyone recognises the need for resistant seismic building codes. My message is how to change this tragic event into a brighter future.

“On a second note, it is international competition, businesses overseas assess the risks on where they want to invest and if a country is attractive and risk-free, they would invest and more tourists would prefer coming into a safe resilient country.

“The Central Business District (CBD) was one of the most prosperous shopping zones and how to revive that commercial activity, there will be strategies and it really depends on the Port Vila relevant authorities to decide what would be their brighter future.”

The Professor also revealed that during their country’s past disaster recovery, they agreed to let the Government cut their salaries and increase taxes so the funds can be directed to rebuilding their city.

“Our recommendations are to make a consensus on buildings and if they met standard building codes, have good discussions between stakeholders on how to revive the CBD and share a common vision on rebuilding back the town.”

He advised the Government to build some monuments to remember the lives lost from the tragic event and collect interviews from victims and survivors to speak out on the dangers, these catalogues can be used for future awareness on earthquake disasters to remind the people and for the next generation to come.

“Please keep some institutional memories so it can be maintained and it would save future generations,” he said. JICA supports programmes on strengthening the capacity of partner countries to augment ore-disaster investment in DRR for the future.

By 2030, JICA strives to substantially reduce the number of deaths, affected people and economic losses caused by natural hazards.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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