Japan International Cooperation Agency shares funds, experts on disaster preparedness in the Philippines

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has just kicked off a JPY 370-million technical cooperation project with the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD). The agency will send not only funds to the Philippines, but experts on disaster preparedness and response as well. They are also helping draw up disaster risk reduction and management activities, train human resources, and establish community-based disaster management systems throughout Metro Manila and so-called pilot areas outside.

"Although we are an agency for aiding developing countries, we have to help here in Japan, particularly in reconstruction efforts," Kazuki Kaiya of JICA’s disaster management division 1 said. "Still, we are honoring our commitments and supporting new risk management programs by sharing Japan’s learnings."