The Water Disaster Prevention
Water
shortage, water pollution, flood disasters, and other problems associated with
water resources are becoming increasingly serious and varied due to the rapid
growth of population and economic development on a global-scale. At present,
one-third of the world’s population is facing a water shortage and 1.1 billion
people have no access to safe drinking water. Every eight seconds one child
dies of water-borne diseases, and 80% of the causes of diseases in developing
countries are reportedly contaminated water.
In addition,
many problems are associated with water resources, including flood damage and
deterioration of the water environment caused by inappropriate water use and
treatment. Various water-related problems are recognized as urgent global
issues, and a global response has intensified against the background of the
deteriorating situation regarding water resources.
On the other
hand, various disasters take place every day throughout the world. Especially
in developing countries where social infrastructure is poorly developed,
disasters directly affect the people’s livelihood, aggravating poverty.
Past support
for disaster prevention was centered on reinforcing physical structures, but
recently a combined approach that incorporates non-physical measures has gained
greater importance. We are cooperating with community disaster prevention,
which focuses on activities by local communities and on strengthening their
capacity to deal with natural disasters.
Synchronizing
with the Third World Water Forum in 2003, we announced our basic policy of
cooperation in the water sector for the future, and reinforced measures in the
disaster management field after participation in the Second World Conference on
Disaster Reduction held in 2005. As concrete measures, four goals are set for
water and disaster prevention, respectively.
The goals for
water are as follows:
o Promoting comprehensive water resources
management
o Ensuring efficient and sustainable supply of
safe water
o Improving flood control to protect life and property
o Conserving the water environment.
The goals for
disaster prevention are as follows:
o
Addressing
socioeconomic development incorporating the viewpoint of disaster prevention
o
Supporting
study on disaster risks
o
Supporting
planning for comprehensive disaster prevention
o Support from the perspective of human security through education and diffusion activities to the residents.